Shaping our Wellness programme survey – what you told us

In March we sent you a survey asking for your input on what you’d like to see in our Wellness programme for 2018 and beyond.

The survey, facilitated by Business Intelligence, had an excellent response rate of nearly 50%. The team feel they now have a “…Goldmine of information” to shape their Wellness programme and have summarised the survey feedback below, which includes ‘preferred timing’ and the types of activities and initiatives.

A popular Wellness 2016 initiative, ‘dancing in the dark’

What’s the best time for you to participate?

• During study breaks was the preferred option, followed by autumn and spring, after busy periods
• Nearly 40% said any day was a good day to get away from the desk to ‘take care of ourselves’ and to have some fun. There was a slight preference for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
• Lunch time and after work was the most preferred time slot; a half hour was the best duration for lunch time activities and after work at 5.00pm or 6.00pm was preferred. Interestingly, there was also a reasonable number of people who indicated early-mid evening as a suitable time – 7.00pm or 8.00pm

What sort of activities would you like to get involved in?

The types of activities and initiatives that reflect a ‘well you’ include a focus on mental health, especially important when our work environment is stressful. The Health & Safety team therefore focuses on the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand – ‘the five ways to wellbeing’ framework.

This framework capture five key actions; connect – give – take notice – keep learning – be active. The Foundation states that if you build these into your day to day life, you’ll make an important contribution to your wellbeing.

The Wellness programme ensures that each initiative that we offer to staff represents at least one of these key actions, if not all of them. This was reflected in the survey with a range of options to vote for.

The order you ranked them in was:

There were some other great ideas submitted that are worth a mention, including an outdoor gym and gym membership, staff recognition/values postcards to acknowledge a colleague’s great work, Treaty of Waitangi and Courageous Conversation workshops, tai chi, a boxing group and shared lunch/game days.

What’s next?

The team have reviewed all the options and ‘graded’ them based on three criteria –

• Logistics involved – easy to implement, provide engagement
• Level of commitment required
• Financial feasibility – costs based on attendance numbers

They’re now working to create a programme based on available resources, timing options and a good balance across our framework actions.

How can I get involved?

• As soon as these initiatives are ready to roll-out they’ll be posted on the Nest and also listed in the Nest home page what’s on calendar
• Currently available and underway are lunch time yoga classes and also twice-weekly Te Auaunga/Oakley Creek bush walks
• Coming up is Let’s talk nutrition – designed to help guide you on making healthy eating and nutrition choices
• You can also come along at any time to the Sustainability Club monthly meetings which have a focus on Wellness through four key workstreams – Sustainable travel, Why waste?, Food and Health & Safety. If you can’t make it to the meetings you are welcome to join the mailing list for regular updates (email Maja Zidov)