Lydia Di Francesco, MBA, CWHP-P’s Post

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Workplace Wellness Specialist, Keynote Speaker, Businesswoman of the Year 2023, Published Author

🤔 LEADERS: would you try this 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 way to demonstrate you take employee wellbeing seriously? Yesterday I was invited to speak at an All-Staff meeting for the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP. The theme was the meeting was wellness and I was one of a few speakers on this topic, speaking on how to build stress resilience. As part of the introduction, Chairperson Michelaine L. informed the staff of a brand-new initiative they were starting. They would receive a calendar invite from her for a recurring meeting every Wednesday from 1:00-1:30pm. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡! It's not actually a meeting! It's a block in everyone's calendar where they are meant to take that time and do something for their own personal wellbeing. What they do is up to them, but what they 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘥𝘰 is work. 😲 Can you imagine how excited I was when I heard this ⁉️ What a great way to demonstrate that the leadership takes wellness seriously. Enough that the Chairperson is blocking time in your calendar and wants you to use that time for your wellbeing. 👏 Of course, 30 minutes once a week isn't solving the systemic issues (she mentioned they are working on some of that) and isn't a magic cure that will make people instantly healthy. But it's a start of a culture shift and I'm here for that. Too often leaders say one thing and either do another or expect something that isn't actually what they're saying. Naturally, as soon as I got on stage I had to say something about this announcement and I encouraged the team to keep each other accountable and gentle call a colleague out if they noticed them working during this period. I also reminded them that this wasn't their lunch break, which they should still take. Further in the workshop when we were discussing ways to get more movement in our day someone suggested a dance party during one of the Wellness Wednesday blocks. 💃 🕺 YES!!! I'm very curious about your thoughts on this initiative. Would you/could you do something similar for your team? Have you done something similar? If so, what were the results? Other suggestions for leaders to show they are taking wellbeing seriously? #WorkplaceWellness #WorkplaceWellbeing #Leadership

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Monique Goffinet, MA

Driven & proven senior Executive

2w

I love this idea. It’s fair to all and allows individual employees to fill it with something that brings them wellness. I’m holding onto this concept.

Kristen Csenkey, Ph.D.

Global Cyber & Tech Governance | CIGI Digital Policy Hub Fellow | Postdoctoral Fellow @ Canadian Maritime Security Network

2w

This is such a great idea- simple and easy to personalize to individual needs.

Marianne Goodwin

Bilingual Strategic Advisor | Communications I Media Relations | Stakeholder Engagement | Former Board Chair: La Maison d'hébergement pour femmes francophones I Masters Swim Coach

2w

Such a great idea that should become viral in all workplaces! Merci du partage!

Wholeheartedly agree!

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