ASL Global's HR Director, Sue Harris, reflects on wellbeing in a post-pandemic world, and what that means in the workplace.

As we celebrate World Well-being Week, I thought it would be a good time to pause and reflect on what wellbeing really means, and how our state of mind can affect our whole outlook, especially in this post-pandemic world, where the lines between work and home life can still feel somewhat blurred.

Wellbeing is a state of being where you feel psychologically, physically, and socially healthy. Maintaining this healthy state of wellbeing has positive effects on both your health and productivity.

building a healthy workplace

Our people are ASL's most important asset and we want to maintain a happy and healthy workforce. So, we look at how workplaces can be designed so that people are happier and more engaged; how managers can help their teams become more productive by improving working relationships; and importantly, how leaders can create a positive, open environment for their team members to feel confident in sharing ideas about improvements for both themselves and others.

lending support

To promote a more human-centered workplace experience, ASL Global provides its people with a variety of programs, benefits, and tools that promote personal and professional development.

Earlier this year, we launched THE LEARNING HUB an online resource hub which contains a range of e-learning courses, tips, and articles on a wide variety of topics, including wellbeing. 

The Learning Hub is completely free and accessible to everyone across ASL's 50+ locations worldwide. Since launching the platform we've had an overwhelming response, with many people re-visiting several times to explore and develop their knowledge and learning. It's proving to be a very popular resource hub, especially in the areas of training for career development and improving skillsets.

Listening to our people

In April of this year, we conducted ASL's annual Colleague Survey, which helps ensure we continue listening to our people, their concerns and ideas for how we can improve. This regular survey is an important tool for our leadership team to remain connected with the wider business.

We're proud of the key results for 2022, which were very positive overall, and reflect a business that is in diverse, inclusive and supportive. The culture of the ASL Family runs strongly through our business, but there is always room for improvement, especially as we grow - and we continue to listen and learn from our colleagues.

keeping the balance

We can all help to maintain a healthy, balanced sense of wellbeing by taking a few simple steps, including at work where we often encounter unexpected circumstances. Here are some helpful tips to manage and improve your wellbeing:*

1. Get Good Sleep: A good night's sleep is key in contributing towards how we feel mentally and physically!
2. Reframe unhelpful thoughts: The way we think, feel, and behave is linked. Sometimes we develop patterns of thoughts and behaviours which can cause harm or are unhelpful in our day-to-day life. Recognizing these and taking active steps to reduce them can improve mental health and wellbeing.
3. Connecting with others: Spending quality time with friends and family, talking to someone about how we feel helps us feel less lonely or isolated.
4. Be in the present: Taking the time to become self-aware in the moment, noticing our own thoughts and feelings helps us to gain a better perspective.
5. Living a healthy life: Staying active, enjoying the outdoors and maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle & diet can massively affect how we feel. Cutting down on bad habits like excessive alcohol and caffeine can have a positive effect on our moods.

As we start yet another busy working week, I'll be encouraging all my ASL colleagues to take some time to pause and consider how they might improve not only their own wellbeing, but that of their colleagues, friends and family. Happy World Wellbeing Week to everyone!

#wellbeing #worldwellbeingweek #aslfamily

*Source: Top tips to improve your mental wellbeing - Every Mind Matters - NHS (www.nhs.uk)