1st Edition
Occupational Health and Wellbeing Challenges and Opportunities in Theory and Practice
This book bridges the gap between theory and practice, incorporating real-world case studies to show how organisations and leaders can adapt after the global unrest and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and more recent challenges. Drawing from expert opinions across the world to highlight the current challenges and opportunities within this sector, it explores how these ideas can be effectively applied within the workplace.
The book covers a wealth of topical and relevant themes that include defining wellbeing in a modern world, toxic leadership, mental health first aid, the application of positive psychology, and what the ‘new normal’ might look like. Together, these contributions offer a rich look into how Occupational Health and Wellbeing practices have developed, struggled and thrived. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many organisations to adapt fast and became the most significant accelerator in recent times for embracing, enhancing and improving employee health and wellbeing. Understanding this, the book demonstrates how Occupational Health and Wellbeing continues to rise on the corporate agenda as a key contributor to employee satisfaction, engagement and retention, increased financial stability and overall organisational success.
The book is essential reading for senior executives, leaders and professionals involved in occupational health, human resources, health, safety and wellbeing, people support, people development, employee assistance, counselling as well as students within organisational and occupational psychology.
Part One: The Challenges of Occupational Health
1. Defining the Landscape, What is Occupational Health and What are the Key Challenges in Modern Workplaces related to Wellbeing?
Andrew Kinder, Rick Hughes & Cary Cooper
2. Managing Wellbeing: New, and Old, Challenges for Organisations
Gordon Tinline and Shaun Davis
3. Are Organisations inherently Toxic? An Exploration of Executive Toxicity, Workplace Bullying and Destructive Workplace Cultures
Daniela Pauknerova, Katerina Zabrodska and Michael Walton
4. Triggering Toxic Leadership: Risks to Employee Wellbeing when the Leader’s Intentions are Blocked, Denied or Thwarted
Michael Walton
5. Miscarriage: The Next Challenge for Contemporary Workplaces
Alyssa Grocutt and Julian Barling
Part Two: The Business Imperatives to Manage Wellbeing in the Workplace Effectively
6. The Machine Can See You Now: Considering the use of Technology and Innovation to Extend Capacity and Capability to Deliver Health and Wellbeing Support
Steve Boorman
7. The Business Case for Managing Wellbeing Effectively within the Healthcare Sector within the UK: A Review of What Works
Zofia Bajorek and Stephen Bevan
8. Mental Health: A Twenty-First Century Imperative for Workplace Wellbeing
James Campbell Quick, Joanne H. Gavin, and David J. Gavin
Part Three: New Understandings on How to Boost the Occupational Health and Wellbeing of Employees
9. Difference, Dissent, Discussion and Disagreement: Diversity Means Nothing unless we Create Cultures that are Safe for All of These, Not from Them
Simon Fanshawe
10. Employee Assistance Programs in a Changing World: The Australasian Experience
Robert Compton and John McManus
11. The New Kid on The Block: A Review of Mental Health First Aid as a Workplace Mental Health Intervention
Susannah Robertson-Hart
12. Positive Psychology Interventions and Employee Wellbeing: When and for Whom are they Effective?
Deirdre O’Shea, Annekatrin Hoppe, Alexandra Michel, M. Gloria González-Morales and Anna Steidle
Part Four: New Opportunities in Employee Wellbeing Support - Organisational Responses
13. Coping in The New World: The Challenges of The ‘New Normal’ of Work and Life
Philip Dewe
14. Workplace Mediation and the Links to Occupational Health and Wellbeing
Tony Buon and Renu Raj
15. Engagement Through Disruption: Rhetoric, Reality and ‘Reimagining’ Wellbeing at Work
Tony Dundon, Dierdre O’Shea, Jean McCarthy and Marilena Pagoni
Biography
Andrew Kinder is a Chartered Counselling and Chartered Occupational Psychologist and is an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS). He is currently Professional Head of Mental Health Services at Optima Health (part of the Marlowe Group).
Rick Hughes is a Wellbeing Consultant, Aberdeen, Scotland, having been Head of Service of the University of Aberdeen Counselling Service and a Lead Advisor for the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP).
Cary L. Cooper is 50th Anniversary Professor of Organizational Psychology and Health at the ALLIANCE Manchester Business School, Manchester, UK, and is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society.
"This excellent book provides the reader with insights into the very latest thinking and practice with regards to Occupational Health and Wellbeing. Written by experts in the field, it provides an international perspective and bridges the gap between theory and practice, bringing real-world case studies to illustrate what works. Anyone wishing to advance the workplace wellbeing within their organisation, will find this book and its actionable insights, invaluable."
Dr David Roomes, Chief Medical Officer, Rolls-Royce
"Wellbeing is now firmly established as a critical business and societal agenda, but we need good evidence and proven practice to provide the foundation of what we do to improve wellbeing outcomes. The authors have brought together a very wide range of insights and research from the fields of occupational health and wellbeing to provide practice guidance to us all. This should be a major contribution to wellbeing strategies in every organisation."
Peter Cheese, Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
"This compilation is an essential resource for anyone concerned with people, safety, and psychological security in the workplace. The editors have assembled a world class team of global scholars and practitioners who are knowledgeable authorities in their respective domains and locations."
James Campbell Quick, Distinguished University Professor, Emeritus, The University of Texas at Arlington, USA
Colonel (Ret.), United States Air Force"This is a most refreshing and at times challenging book. It sees Occupational Health as linked to the well-being of the worker. This linkage is a relatively new and welcome proposition. It has been accelerated by the pandemic. Occupational Health is now more visible and seen to be of critical importance to many more employers. Occupational Health practices connected to well-being can be seen to encompass a broader conceptualisation of prevention health promotion and management of workplace hazards."
Professor Dame Carol Black, Expert Adviser on Health & Work, National Health Service England & Public Health England
