Wellness Workshop: Workplaces that Thrive

Description:

Join us for an informative session that stresses the importance of a healthy workplace.  Dawn Zak from Advocate Aurora Health Employee Assistance Program will take participants through a day of sessions, focusing on mindfulness, mental health awareness, navigating change, proactive tools to manage stress, as well as resources and tools to assist you in creating and sustaining a healthy workplace.

8:30-9:30 Session – 1: Reset, Refuel, Get Focused

Too many interruptions, too much information, too many demands, too much stimulation can keep our minds racing, causing us to feel distracted, worried, and increasingly stressed. Instead of having a clear focus and direction we find ourselves confused, exhausted, and stuck.

Neuroscientists call the optimal brain state for getting work done “flow.” Full focus is critical to entering a flow state. When our brains are in the “flow” zone we are more likely to perform at our personal best. This in turn can allow us to assist employees to be their best as well.

As leaders, having time to examine what you may need is crucial as the starting place for supporting employees.

Join this session as we explore:

• Focus and flow.
• The impact of biological rhythms on our ability to take advantage of peak focus times.
• Drainers and Fillers to identify where we might need to adjust to move from frazzled to flow.
• Other tools that can help re-discover flow and focus.

9:40-10:50 Session 2: Psychological Safety 101

What is your workplace culture? A simple way to think about workplace culture is ‘the way we do things around here,’ says David Altman CEO and author. These “ways” may not even be spoken but they exist, and they do create a culture that can be felt.

Toxic workplaces are built on a fear of speaking up. The best way to prevent a culture of fear is to instill a sense of psychological safety at work.

Psychological Safety exists in environments where people feel comfortable speaking up, giving their opinion, taking risks, challenging each other, and asking for help. Employees are willing to ask hard questions and disagree with the way things are, offering ideas that could make a real difference. Without this an organization can lose the opportunity to tap into the strength and talent of their employees, and in the end fail to retain those valued employees.

During this session we will:

• Further define psychological safety.
• Discuss the benefits of creating a culture of psychological safety and the impact of its absence.
• Identify strategies for leaders, with particular focus on the Questions to Ask Employees as a practical way tool that can help contribute to psychological safety in the workplace.

11:00-12:00– Session 2: Mental Health Matters for Leaders

Smart employers know that organizations are only as strong as their people – they depend on having a healthy and productive workforce. Good mental health underpins this. Learning about mental health concerns can help leaders become more familiar with the impacts of mental health in the workplace and increase awareness of the signs of suicide and suicide prevention.

By positively managing and supporting employee mental wellbeing through meaningful conversations, employers can help their employees reach their potential and contribute to a business that thrives.

In this final session of the day, we will:

• Identify the ways mental health concerns can present and impact the workplace.
• Increase awareness of suicide symptoms and prevention.
• Discuss ways leaders can address and support employee wellbeing when mental health concerns arise.
• Identify additional tools/resources that can help support mental wellbeing.

12:00 -12:30   Lunch and Q&A

Presenter:

Dawn Zak, MS, LPC, CSAC

Dawn rejoins AAH EAP with a myriad of experience.  Dawn worked as an EAP account executive for many years offering supervisor training, employee seminars, and consultations for a variety of companies and municipalities.

In her role as the Associate Director at Mental Health America – WI, Dawn developed mental health in the workplace modules and other effective resources to assist both private and public organizations/companies.

Dawn obtained her Master’s Degree in Counseling at Concordia University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor.  Dawn has provided mental health and substance abuse counseling and training services for over 30 years in a variety of settings.

Dawn believes in building strong partnerships with companies and their leaders, helping them as they work to create a well workplace, supporting and retaining their valued employees.

To Enroll:

Log into NEOGOV/Learn and search using keywords “Wellness Workshop”

Date/Time:   June 24th, 2024     8:30am – 12:00pm, with Q&A during lunch to follow

Enrollment Issues?  Please email Carrie Baritsky – [email protected]