Workplace Uncertainty and Mental Health Training feature at network event (From Swindon Advertiser)

Workplace Uncertainty and Mental Health Training feature at network event

9:50am Wednesday 15th June 2011

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A packed agenda and top speakers are in prospect at the July meeting of the Swindon Mindful Employer Network. Taking place at Thrings offices in Penny Lane on Thursday 14th at 2.00pm, representatives of local employers will benefit from free presentations and talks which help in building healthier businesses.

Jonathan Naess is returning to Swindon due to popular demand. Jonathan is Director of Stand to Reason www.standtoreason.org.uk and a recognized specialist in workplace mental health issues. He is being joined by colleague Anna Kavanagh -an employment law specialist and an experienced trainer and speaker on mental health at Stand to Reason – and both will present a module from their Fit for Business training programme for line managers, which has been successful in reducing psychological sickness absence by 50% at a FTSE 100 company.

Stand to Reason take an integrated approach looking at physical and emotional health, encouraging employees to take care of themselves as well as providing managers with the necessary expertise.

The second session of the meeting will focus on the potentially damaging impact of ‘uncertainty’ in the workplace. Presented by Isla Baliszewska of Your Coaching this highlights an area of increasing concern among workforces up and down the country.

Richmond Fellowship Wiltshire’s David Latham who manages the network locally says: “We promise local employers top speakers at our events to help make their businesses more successful and their staff more productive. I am delighted that we have lined-up some very exciting presentations and talks over the coming 12 months which reflects the increasing interest in positive workplace cultures and well-being strategies in Swindon - with the emphasis always on building healthier businesses.”

Jonathan and Anna regularly appear in the national media and are delighted to be in Swindon.

Jonathan says: “I have taken considerable interest in the Mindful Employer initiative here in Swindon and I think the tremendous involvement in the network is a positive reflection on the town. We are keen to present a slice of our Fit for Business programme which is designed to assist employers overcome mental health issues in the workplace and create a profitable and successful environment for both employees and their bosses. We look forward to meeting representatives of Swindon employers and listening to their concerns on the subject.”

Commenting on her Uncertainty in the Workplace session Isla Baliszewska says: “We are working in uncertain and changing times. Where once we had longer careers, security of tenure and a culture of entitlement, in the current economic downturn we are seeing more redundancies, lower salaries and benefits and higher living costs. On the one hand employees can feel isolated, insecure and draw into themselves and on the other, employers are battling with employee retention while streamlining in order to remain productive and profitable.

Uncertainty has the power to trigger fear, defensiveness, lack of self-worth, stress and anxiety, relationship issues, and to adversely affect efficiency and productivity. Managing and recognising the journey of uncertainty, its emotional content and how to 'sit' with it can help us to identify measures to reduce its negative impact for employers and employees, turning it from a potentially destructive force into an opportunity."

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