Learning from lockdown

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the varied and valuable well-being lessons learnt throughout the pandemic, from people and businesses alike and how they can be taken forward. To support its argument, Westfield Health uses research that demonstrates a link between health and happiness and the quality of an individual’s contributions to a business. The paper will also show how employee expectations have changed, and companies that acknowledge those changes and continue to keep in mind the valuable learnings from last year will be best placed to survive and recover.

Design/methodology/approach

Westfield Health undertook a 1,500 person study into the physical and mental well-being of the country, with a focus on our changing experiences, attitudes and expectations of working through a pandemic for Westfield Health’s Divided Together report. A further study surveyed 400 human resources (HR) leaders, to investigate policy changes, well-being spend and successful improvements to workplace well-being.

Findings

The study shows that learnings around implementing, measuring and investing in workplace well-being must continue throughout 2021 to provide businesses and their teams with the best chance of success in the new year.

Originality/value

This paper uses data from a variety of reliable sources that can help HR leaders understand which learnings from 2020 are here to stay and how to improve their well-being offering.

Citation

Walker, V. (2021), "Learning from lockdown", Strategic HR Review, Vol. 20 No. 5, pp. 150-153. https://doi.org/10.1108/SHR-01-2021-0006