It’s time to dust off those policy booklets and do what matters! Your company no doubt has policies in place around well-being, sustainability and diversity. But writing a policy and walking the talk are quite different things. Workplace design and fit-out company Evoke Projects has tips on dealing with these initiatives in a practical and authentic way.
People are often cynical about a company’s commitment to anything other than making a profit. Yet business leaders know that a motivated and supported team is the secret to making a profit. The two concepts actually go together like a hand in glove. Being authentic in your approach is the way you demonstrate your true commitment. It may start with a policy document and a speech, but it becomes real when you walk the talk and deliver the goods!
It all starts at the top. Managers must buy into the initiatives and lead the change in a heartfelt and genuine way. Publicly recognise the small steps made by staff and the company. Celebrate achievements. Be in it for the long term.
The team at Evoke Projects offer these ideas for showing your commitment to improved well-being, sustainability and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion).
• Managers who open up about their own physical or mental health challenges are inspirational leaders. Share details of experiences at a personal level while being honest about failures.
• Ask managers and staff to share the steps they are taking to improve their health. This generates conversation about well-being and can create a community effort that is fun and motivational. It also gives staff “permission” to copy healthy habits such as not replying to emails outside of work hours.
• Show flexibility to accommodate different needs and lifestyles. Staggered commute times, flexible hours, mental health days, bringing children to work… there are many ways to make a real difference to someone’s life and help them perform at their best, benefitting the business in turn.
• Create a physical work environment that optimises staff health and well-being. Activity based zones (e.g., quiet work areas, meeting rooms, creative hubs, video conferencing booths, breakout areas) give people autonomy and help them work at their optimum. The interior design team at Evoke Projects have a lot more ideas around this topic – don’t hesitate to contact us to pick our brains!
• During your next planned office fit-out or refurbishment, look at upcycling and recycling office furniture or business equipment. An old machine could become a work of art at reception with a story about its history.
• Include questions about sustainability in the recruitment process. Hire people who show an interest in sustainability, even just a commitment to recycling at home.
• Install lockers, showers and bike racks to encourage staff to leave the car at home. This one gives a double benefit of improving health as well!
• Include sustainability in procurement decisions. Eco-friendly products and locally sourced items will all benefit the environment.
• Install recycling bins and go paperless where possible.
• People often have unconscious bias. As the word unconscious makes clear, they are not aware of their bias. It’s a product of the human brain trying to categorise and put everything in neat boxes! Training programs around unconscious bias can help people understand their bias and take steps not to let it influence their behaviour or decision making.
• Invite ideas for change from staff throughout the organisation. Create an inclusive workplace where people feel safe to make suggestions without censorship or reprisals. Accept that you might need to feel uncomfortable in order to make positive changes that do not align with your own preferences.
• Ensure leadership teams and working groups have diverse members (diversity needs to extend further than ticking boxes during the hiring process).
• Be transparent about your DEI strategy. Address failures openly with stated measures to improve.
Demonstrating your commitment to what matters is important for all businesses. For workplace design and fit-out ideas to support this commitment, please call Evoke Projects on 1300 720 692.
