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Our son is in a managerial position.

He takes his responsibilities very seriously and always endeavours to do the right thing for the organisation and his team.

He loves his work. Most of the time.

But more recently, the pressure, the expectations and the work overload have caused him to consider.

Is this worth it?

Having been asked to take on an acting role for his superior while they took a two-week break, he found himself in the unenviable position that first Monday morning of discovering the person designated to take over his role for that period had gone down with Covid.

There was no one else who could step in to fill the void.

Now he was having to do two people’s work.

Then, a situation at a separate location resulted in him having to juggle the work of three and travel between both locations.

He is beyond exhausted, more than a bit cranky and his frustration is leading him to think,

“Maybe I should just quit?”

Have you ever found yourself in a similar position where no one thought through the necessity of having one if not two people available who can step into a role in the event of illness or holiday cover? 

Or when a colleague retired, quit or was made redundant, you’ve discovered there would be no replacement (because there’s no budget) and the expectation is you’ll pick up the load?

“Just do more with less.”

Or where you as the boss having dealt with so much additional stress over the last few years to ensure the business remained viable, and your staff received adequate support, haven’t had a moment to also take care of yourself? 

“Are you seriously considering joining the Great Resignation?”

A recent article published by Deloitte highlighted the need for the C suite and other executives to consider their own wellbeing because just like everyone else you’re human too.

The Deloitte survey revealed that everyone’s wellbeing, including the leaders has been significantly impacted by the global pandemic.

Are you struggling too?

The cost of living, the war in Ukraine and the ongoing adaptation and readjustment required as we edge towards the post-Covid era is taking a huge toll. 

In addition, failing to look after your own needs or to acknowledge the extent of the burden you have been carrying for so long is contributing to the burgeoning mental health issues, burnout and loneliness.

These are starting to be addressed, but the worry is, we’re not prepared for the fallout to come over the next few years.

The biggest issue right now, is overwork. 

“Primum non nocere” means to first do no harm.

The latest OHS legislation provides guidance to what an employer’s responsibilities are to protect the mental health and wellbeing of their employees and to take a proactive approach to safeguard these. This means every workplace is required to eliminate or minimise the risk of psychological injury caused by work and to put in place strategies to minimise the risk.

Does yours?

Is psychological injury or the risk of it occurring being taken seriously enough?

How else can we explain why so many people, and maybe you are one of them, have been left to find your own life-raft while trying not to drown in the overwhelm of too much work, too little support and that nasty feeling that no one cares.

It can’t all be blamed on Covid.

Psychosocial injury was increasing well before the global pandemic arrived.

The “health-savvy executive” (Deloitte’s term) recognises that their and their employees’ wellbeing is CRITICAL to safe-guard and future-proof the health of the organisation and all its stakeholders.

It’s going to take more than throwing in a workplace health and wellbeing program and hoping it might produce the desired outcome.

Josh Bersin has it right when he says workplace mental wellbeing is a business strategy for business performance. Because when the focus is on behavioural health and support needed to ensure every individual feels safe, included and cared for as a person, this unleashes the desire to contribute more, collaborate and relish the pleasure of doing great work.

Are you ready to move from overwhelm to clarity?

 

Dr Jenny Brockis is a medical practitioner and board-certified lifestyle medicine physician, keynote speaker and best-selling author. Her new book Thriving Mind: How to Cultivate a Good Life (Wiley) is now available for purchase

If overwhelm is a topic on your mind, I’d love to have you to join me in my monthly virtual  Masterclass “Feeling Good, Doing Great” on July 27th which takes a deep dive into what mental wellbeing is and how to include more of it in your life. You can book your seat here.

Dr Jenny Brockis

Dr Jenny Brockis is a medical practitioner and internationally board-certified lifestyle medicine physician, workplace health and wellbeing consultant, podcaster, keynote speaker and best-selling author. Her new book 'Thriving Mind: How to Cultivate a Good Life' (Wiley) is available online and at all good bookstores.

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