Worker Wellness Blog: Not About Us Without Us
Date Posted: January 1, 2024
Posted In: Discussion, News, Workforce,
by Dr. John Gaal
Editor’s Note: Each week, Dr. John Gaal, director of worker wellness for the Missouri Works Initiative, a non-profit workforce formed by the Missouri AFL-CIO, collects and comments on news and trends in workforce wellness and life balance. Construction Forum carries the Worker Wellness & Well-Being Blog as a regular feature.
The MO Works Initiative focuses on creating healthy and recovery friendly workplaces; connecting laid-off workers with job-search or upskilling resources for future employment; and collaborating with community partners to offer innovative points of entry to traditional apprenticeship opportunities.
This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics concerning a government report indicating that work-related overdose deaths increased by 13% in 2022 (from 2021…continuing the rise since 2012); to how smaller cities are confronting our country’s homelessness dilemma; to how gun shops are beginning to play a vital role in suicide prevention efforts— putting time and distance between people in crisis and lethal means—by providing safe storage.
Today, I wish to shed some light on the concept of NOT ABOUT US WITHOUT US. Hardly a week goes by where we do not hear or see another story in the media pointing to workforce shortages.
Management 101 suggests that in order to obtain organizational cooperation, one needs to ensure that all stakeholders have input. This is why I point to Ireland’s “RU OK?” Program that addresses the mental health needs of their apprentices designed around “their” involvement.
It is also good to see that informed and innovative young adults are not waiting for others to pave a better pathway as seen by the new Mental Health app recently developed by two teens.
And, finally, we get a glimpse at how HOP (Human Organization Performance) safety principles are striving to establish a more proactive focus on employee well-being. Wherein, employees feel safe to seek help without fear of repercussions. In the end, this form of collaboration can contribute to safer and more productive workplaces…which leads to better retention…which creates an environment that attracts more workers!
Please check out the rest of this week’s blog: moworksinitiative.org/blog
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