Ireland’s National Workplace Wellbeing Day is fast approaching on Friday April 30th 2021. Now in its seventh year, the day itself has served to raise the importance of employee wellbeing across a wide variety of industries since it’s inception. As always I encourage organisations to recognise and celebrate the day in a way that best supports their colleagues while at the same time ensuring they do not fall into the trap of celebrating wellbeing on only one day of the year and merely using the day as a PR exercise. Rant over!

Less is More

My suggested theme for Workplace Wellbeing Day this year is ‘Less is More’. Around this time of year there’s often a scramble as wellbeing and HR leaders seek to organise events and initiatives for their colleagues. If I could make just one recommendation this year, of all years, it would be that less is sometimes more. A wellbeing intervention doesn’t have to be something that people have to take time out of their day for, in fact it can be something that actually gives some time back. For example, it could be a ‘no meeting Friday’, an early finish on the day, a two hour lunch break or (if it’s within your remit) a half day or a full day off for all colleagues!

I appreciate a lot of these initiatives will not be possible for many organisations but I wanted to throw it out there to get you thinking. After the year we’ve all had, giving some time back to colleagues could be the ideal way to recognise Workplace Wellbeing Day in 2021.

I hear you but what if we really want to do something on the day?

Having said ALL OF THAT, I am still being asked about ideas and suggestions for the day so if you do want to provide something for your colleagues then I’ve done all the heavy lifting for you by coming up with some suggestions below. These interventions don’t necessarily need to take place on Workplace Wellbeing Day; you could use the day to share some of these resources or to launch what you’re planning for the weeks and months ahead.

I’ve included a ‘healthy’ mix of free and paid resources. The podcasts and webinars listed are recorded so you can share with your colleagues at any time. (If you’re looking for a live experience on Workplace Wellbeing Day then check out the Éalú Experiences offering). If you haven’t already, you can read what I have to say about the ultimate Wellbeing Day gift for your colleagues.

Now as promised, here's the list of ideas and suggestions.

Resources for Everyone

Gift Idea: Experiences-In-A-Box with Éalú Experiences. A choice of wellbeing gift boxes delivered directly to your remote colleagues including access to 3 live experiences on Workplace Wellbeing Day.

Podcast: Goal setting and eliminating self-limiting beliefs with Keith Barry

Events: ‘Good Vibes by GOAL’ – a week of virtual wellness activities

Live: Set up a virtual coffee break for your colleagues on the day

Webinar: Taking Action in 2021 with Brian Pennie

Signpost: Share information about your EAP programme (if you have one) and any other wellbeing resources your colleagues have access to

Podcast: Busting meditation and mindfulness myths with Dermot Whelan

Resources for Parents

Podcast: Parenting from Work with Dr. Colman Noctor

Podcast: Managing Family Time During Lockdown with Dr. Malie Coyne

Physical Wellbeing Ideas

Webinar: All the motivation you need to get active with Professor Niall Moyna

Classes: Physical activity workouts for everyone: parkHIIT @ Work (very excited about this one, I will be fully launching soon so sign up early before we’re booked out).

Gift Idea: A delicious fresh fruit and snack pack delivered by The Fruit People

DIY Step Challenge - download a ready to go spreadsheet

Podcast: How Nutrition Can Enable High-Performance with Kate McDaid

Get Outdoors: Encourage colleagues to walk, run or cycle 5K on Workplace Wellbeing Day and to share a photo of them out and about (and socially distant!)

Demo: Book a live healthy cooking demo (or cook-along) with Fiona’s Food for Life

Mental Wellbeing Ideas

Podcast: Let’s start a conversation about mental health with Barbara Brennan

Workshop: ‘Positive Mental Health Conversations’ is a 2 hour workshop, the goal of which is to make mental health conversations that little bit easier by discussing what mental health is and the importance of authenticity, language and listening to your colleagues.

Empower your colleagues: Managing Stress at Work to Improve Wellbeing with Dr. Jennifer Hynes

Suicide Awareness: Take Ohana’s free ZERO suicide training and gain the skills to save a life

HSE Programme: Minding Your Wellbeing

The Importance of Routines: How to Boost Energy, Increase Productivity and Eliminate Procrastination with Brian Pennie

Mindfulness: Taster session with Susan Keane

Productivity: Turn busy into productive with Moira Dunne

For Wellbeing Leaders (Current and Aspiring)

Webinar: 8 Step Framework for sustainable wellbeing programme design and implementation.

Training: The Developing a Workplace Wellness Programme that Lasts self-paced online course is open year round and is an excellent stepping stone to embedding a culture of health at your workplace. If you sign up before the end of April you’ll also receive a wellbeing gift box courtesy of Éalú Experiences.

For Workplace Champions

Webinar: Mental Health Ally Programme at Accenture Ireland - Case Study

Training: Wellbeing should be a shared value across the organisation and not owned by one person or team. The Wellbeing Champion training empowers organisations to create or upskill a team of employees to work alongside the wellbeing leader in the development, delivery and improvement of wellbeing within their workplace.

Best of luck with your Workplace Wellbeing Day plans. Let me know if I can offer any further advice or help signpost you to other people or resources.

Yours in health,

Brian

About the Author

Brian Crooke is a wellbeing educator, speaker and adviser, empowering Irish organisations to promote and sustain wellbeing within their workplaces.

He is the founder of The Work Well Institute and the Workplace Wellbeing Ireland community and is Course Director of the Postgraduate Certificate in Workplace Wellness at Tangent, Trinity College Dublin. He is the host of The Work Well Podcast.

In his spare time, Brian is bringing free resistance training to every county and community in Ireland through his parkHIIT social enterprise.

Workplace Wellbeing Day 2021 and Beyond - Ideas and Resources For Sharing and Learning