As we get to grips with the post-pandemic business landscape, organizations are assessing the effects of new work approaches on their people. Specifically, the conditions that are necessary for organizations to thrive.
In this article, Kate Field, BSI’s Global Head of Health, Safety, and Well-being, explores how your organization can ensure the retention of a culture of care, the benefits derived from embracing a more inclusive and community-based approach to your people, and the potential outcomes if these aspects are neglected in the evolving post-pandemic business environment.
Analyzing cultural shifts and setting standards
At BSI, we take on the responsibility of analyzing and comprehending shifts in workplace culture and contributing to the establishment of standards that your organization can adopt to safeguard its employees.
The organizational advantages stemming from an approach that places emphasis on the physical and psychological health, safety, and well-being of individuals are undeniable. It was this very conviction that drove the development of our Prioritizing People Model©.
What is the Prioritizing People Model©?
The Prioritizing People Model© is a best practice framework designed to instil a culture of care for the lasting benefit of your workforce.
It outlines best practices for fostering trust and resilience within your organization, acknowledging that prioritizing people cultivates trust and boosts organizational resilience.
Inspired by Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the model utilizes basic, psychological, and self-actualization principles to unlock each individual's full potential.
Applications of the Prioritizing People Model©
Implementing the Prioritizing People Model© involves embracing transformative adjustments that can yield substantial benefits for your organization.
A crucial factor for achieving success lies in accentuating the model's focus on addressing psychological needs. While this aspect may pose challenges, it also holds the potential to unlock remarkable advantages for organizations that choose to prioritize their workforce.
This forward-looking model provides answers to common questions, such as:
• How can your employees achieve a good work/life balance?
• How can your organization be more inclusive and fairer?
• How can you encourage personal development and autonomy within the workplace – even in cases of remote working?
• How can your organization create an overarching culture of trust?
Why it matters to put your people’s well-being first
The pandemic brought workplace health and safety issues to the forefront of minds, but research even before the pandemic found that people are leaving organizations not because of pay, but because they do not feel appreciated.
Organizations that actively prioritize their people by fostering a culture that places employee well-being and mental health front and centre are unequivocally positioning themselves for a competitive advantage.
Prioritizing your people by focusing on effective, ongoing consultation and participation of workers—however and wherever they are working—serves as a steadfast testament to your commitment to nurturing a resilient and thriving workforce
The potential for progress is in your hands
Your organization can benefit from establishing clear expectations and seeking input from its employees to define what success means to them. This involves attentive listening, responsive action, and regular assessments of progress.
When your employees feel genuinely engaged and valued for their contributions, their dedication and motivation grow. This, in turn, nurtures a culture of trust, creating a self-sustaining cycle of positivity in your organization.
Read our whitepaper: How organizations are tackling mental health and well-being to learn more about creating a culture of workplace well-being.
