GrokTalk Blog

It’s essential to recognize that community members who come together to further their economic and social benefits through work have similar interests. These typically include paying for a more comfortable lifestyle, raising a family, and planning for retirement, among others. Despite these inherent common goals, not everyone enjoys the same level of corporate input and respect. When underrepresented team members are not afforded an equitable voice in an organization, it’s crucial that colleagues support them. Perhaps the best way to promote a fair and diverse business environment involves learning how to be an ally in the workplace.

Some industry leaders inspire positivity at work because of their inherent communication and lead-by-example skills. Although charismatic people appear to have a natural ability to develop compassionate and supportive environments, there are ways other hard-working professionals can also create positivity at work. One of the driving reasons behind this modern-day culture shift stems from indications that positive workplaces are more likely to succeed in qualitative and quantitative ways.

Even with activities and events in place (retreats, bi-weekly happy hours, team-building activities, etc.) to encourage camaraderie, community, and a positive work environment, there’s still a chance that some toxicity can enter your office and negatively impact employee wellbeing. 

Industry leaders continue to scrutinize culture change in the workplace as many millennials’ attitudes about earning a living no longer jibe with yesteryear corporate models.

It’s National Autism Awareness Month — or, as many autistic people prefer, Autism Acceptance Month — and the perfect time to talk about neurodiversity in our organizational hiring practices and culture-building efforts. This is especially critical right now, as we’re working to establish post-pandemic norms to accommodate a workforce that has transformed so much over the last year. There’s a call to action to pay more deliberate attention to the roles diversity and inclusion play in not only attracting and retaining talent, but driving employee engagement, productivity, and wellbeing. 

Diversity in the workplace is becoming increasingly important not just to the culture but also for employees. It’s a value proposition for employers, too, because diversity introduces new perspectives and experiences to the workplace. What does diversity really mean for businesses, though?

The ideas surrounding mental health in corporate America too often prove self-defeating and counterproductive. Scientific American published a research-based analysis that indicates upwards of 55 percent of employees fear retribution for taking a mental health day off. Compounding that problem, studies point to 83 percent of Americans suffering work-related stress, with 29 percent saying the levels were high to extreme.

Wellbeing is a personal journey. Since each of your health plan members has different goals, interests, and abilities, you’re probably assessing which tools and resources you can provide to support them. Innovative organizations are prioritizing solutions that drive personalized, whole-person wellbeing. Your members are multi-faceted, after all. Shouldn’t the wellness opportunities provided through their health plan reflect their individuality?

In a global and interconnected economy, companies are hiring employees from all backgrounds and walks of life. This means that as our employee and customer demographics continue to become more and more diverse, we need to be ready to identify with those individuals and, more importantly, celebrate those differences in a respectful manner.

People are often shocked to learn that, on average, Americans spend about one-third of their lives at work, which equates to 90,000 hours or ten full years on the clock. Considering how work-intensive our society has become, it’s no wonder why workers value their wellbeing, safety, and security at work now more than ever.

We all know that diversity and diversity appreciation in the workplace is important. It’s not just important for making a healthy work environment, it’s important for creating a company culture that reflects the values of its customers. 

The increase in short-attention-span platforms and use of electronic devices likely contributes to a sense of stress, anxiety, and inability to stay in the moment. In an effort to create healthier and more productive work environments, mindful business leadership could prove an invaluable solution. Mindful leadership appears to be gaining traction in a way that re-imagines how professionals inspire, motivate, and relate to others. Organizations that integrate mindful leadership exercises and policies into the workday could outpace competitors.