Margie Ireland’s Post

Business Leaders: When was the last time you checked on the wellbeing of your staff? I was speaking with a fellow counsellor yesterday, and he told me about a consulting business in London with 200 staff. The VP of People conducted an anonymous survey across the organisation earlier in the year, and most people reported that they were feeling good, doing well and had a positive experience working in the business. Sounds great, right...?? HOWEVER, they then brought in an independent HR Consultant, who conducted an anonymous survey and found that around 50% (yes, FIFTY PERCENT) of the team described themselves as "STRUGGLING". The business leaders were apparently "shocked" to hear this, and as a result want to improve the wellbeing support they provide to their team. While this remedial action is a very positive step, there are some important points to learn here. Most pressingly, your staff may tell YOU that they are ok - but the reality may be very different. Life isn't easy right now. A lot of people are finding things a struggle, but VERY few will talk about it unless you can provide an environment where they feel safe to do so. ....and this "Safe Environment" may actually mean that YOU don't hear about it. Engaging a third party person (HR Consultant, Counsellor, Life Coach - there are various options), which YOU pay for but who is SEPARATE from the organisation, is a more important investment than ever. For a confidential chat about this, and to explore your options, please get in touch. #purpose #wellbeing #hr

Business Leaders: When was the last time you checked on the wellbeing of your staff? I was speaking with a fellow counsellor this morning, and he told me about a consulting business in London with 200 staff. The VP of People conducted an anonymous survey across the organisation earlier in the year, and most people reported that they were feeling good, doing well and had a positive experience working in the business. Sounds great, right...?? HOWEVER, they then brought in an independent HR Consultant, who conducted an anonymous survey and found that around 50% (yes, FIFTY PERCENT) of the team described themselves as "STRUGGLING". The business leaders were apparently "shocked" to hear this, and as a result want to improve the wellbeing support they provide to their team. While this remedial action is a very positive step, there are some important points to learn here. Most pressingly, your staff may tell YOU that they are ok - but the reality may be very different. Life isn't easy right now. A lot of people are finding things a struggle, but VERY few will talk about it unless you can provide an environment where they feel safe to do so. ....and this "Safe Environment" may actually mean that YOU don't hear about it. Engaging a third party person (HR Consultant, Counsellor, Life Coach - there are various options), which YOU pay for but who is SEPARATE from the organisation, is a more important investment than ever. For a confidential chat about this, and to explore your options, please get in touch. #purpose #wellbeing #hr

Burnout is no longer a buzzword—it’s a real challenge HR leaders across the globe are grappling with. Are we doing enough to create a culture of well-being and resilience? In my latest article, I dive into the reasons behind this growing issue and, more importantly, how HR leaders can turn the tide. 💡 Discover actionable strategies to combat burnout and foster a thriving workplace. 👉 Read more to see how you can safeguard your team’s well-being: https://lnkd.in/dzjT_p8f #BurnoutCrisis #WorkplaceWellBeing #HRLeadership #GCC #EmployeeWellBeing #ResilientWorkforce #Dubai #CHRO #HR

HR professionals are currently facing a critical issue that demands immediate attention: their overwhelming burnout crisis. According to Sage's 2024 Changing Face of HR report, a staggering 81% of HR leaders admit to experiencing burnout, with 95% stating that the demands of their roles are simply too much to handle. This alarming trend is reflective of a broader issue within the profession - one that jeopardizes the well-being and effectiveness of HR leaders nationwide. The root causes of this burnout epidemic are multifaceted, existing on individual, organizational, and socioeconomic levels. At the socioeconomic front, HR is grappling with the repercussions of global transformations induced by the pandemic, Brexit fallout, international conflicts, and UK's political uncertainties. These external challenges place immense pressure on HR professionals to navigate uncharted territories, manage change, and elevate their strategic contributions amidst constant turmoil. Within organizations, the evolving landscape demands HR to address diverse challenges, such as hybrid working models post-pandemic, job insecurity, and financial instability. The pressure to adapt to flexible working norms, ensure employee well-being, and foster engagement adds layers of complexity to an already demanding role. Coupled with a prevailing culture of long hours and presenteeism, HR professionals find themselves stretched thin, managing an unprecedented emotional workload. Joseph Dicianno, a Ph.D. in Leadership and Talent Management Practitioner, highlights the cascading effect of macroeconomic issues on individual and organizational responsibilities, significantly contributing to burnout among HR leaders. In a workforce reshaped by COVID and the pervasive 'Great Resignation,' the absence of compassion, kindness, and empathy within business interactions exacerbates the stress and emotional toll on HR professionals. To address the burnout crisis within the HR community, proactive steps must be taken to safeguard the well-being of current and future leaders. It is crucial for HR to acknowledge and confront the challenges they face head-on, fostering a culture that prioritizes mental health, work-life balance, and emotional support. By recognizing the detrimental impact of burnout on engagement, productivity, and overall organizational health, HR can pave the way for a healthier and sustainable future for its professionals. #HRLeaders #WellnessMatters #WorkLifeBalance

How do we solve HR's burnout crisis? Professor Sir Cary Cooper,CBE, co-author of 'Wellbeing at Work', discusses how HR professionals can deal with changing workplaces, financial crises and uncertainty at work to try and tackle burnout and create a better work-life balance, in this article for HR Grapevine: https://bit.ly/3T0p4sr #Wellbeing #Burnout #WorkLifeBalance

Feeling the Burn? HR Professionals Need Self-Care Too! HR teams are the backbone of any organisation, but constant pressure can lead to burnout. This blog explores why HR well-being matters and offers practical strategies for self-care, from building support networks to setting healthy boundaries. Read more ➡️ https://zurl.co/eUfk Want to take your HR team's well-being to the next level? Join us for our upcoming webinar on Wellbeing, Stress Management & Resilience. Get expert insights to cultivate a thriving and resilient HR team! Register now ➡️ https://zurl.co/rkQy #HR #wellbeing #selfcare #burnoutprevention #worklifebalance #webinar #CIPD #WeareHR

How to create a virtuous circle...and culture...

To all HR leaders in my network, This is your wake-up call ⏰ Businesses will soon be unable to keep hold of talent if they don't prioritise what people want - and need - from them. Learn more about managing burnout and creating a happy workforce in this essential theHRDIRECTOR article from Jeanette Wheeler, Chief HR Officer at MHR 👇 #HR #EX #Burnout #Wellbeing

The importance of self-care for leaders. #selfcareleaders#mywellbeing#mymentalhealth My article in HR Direct. Thanks for reading. https://lnkd.in/et3sMJnW

As organisations increasingly focus on employee well-being programs, it's essential to recognise the mental health challenges faced by HR professionals. This insightful SHRM article highlights a critical issue: overwhelmed HR leaders struggle to support their teams effectively. Christy Pruitt-Haynes from NLI emphasises the importance of HR leaders prioritising their own well-being to model healthy behaviours and maintain a supportive work environment. While 93% of HR professionals find their work meaningful and purposeful, 75% report that working in HR is emotionally exhausting, according to recent SHRM data. It's time to ensure that those who take care of everyone else also get the support they need. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/enGgt8uM #HR #MentalHealth #WellBeing #Leadership #EmployeeWellBeing