Name
Role
Director & Ergonomist at Tracy Consulting Services
Elevator pitch: Tell us about your role and the work your organisation does
I am fortunate to lead a team of highly qualified and experienced allied health consultants, delivering end-to-end, onsite specialist Ergonomic, Occupational Health and Wellbeing solutions to our diverse range of Australian clients.
This includes:
- Ergonomic and Human Factors ‘work’ and ‘workplace’ assessment and design, to deliver the health benefits of good work;
- Health & Wellness strategy development and implementation; and
- Tailored onsite Occupational Health, Wellness and Injury Management services, surveillance and solutions.
What’s the current focus for you and your organisation in workplace health and wellbeing?
Currently I have been supporting the Utilities sector through the Health & Wellbeing challenges of a Pre, current, and post-Pandemic world. The emerging and ongoing focus now is having a clear Health & Wellness Strategy going forward which identifies and addresses the emerging challenges; engages and influences a ‘time-poor’ executive leadership and management team in proactive Health & Wellness discussions and initiatives; and keeps the messaging fresh and relevant.
What aspect of workplace health and wellbeing does your organisation do well in?
We do especially well in being strong advocates for the importance of Health & Wellness within organisations, and forming long and lasting relationships with our clients.
Also, through our commitment to development and innovation, along with our industry-leading knowledge and experience, we are able to assess and anticipate our clients current and emerging needs. We then work hard at providing tailored ‘end-to-end’ Occupational Health & Wellness solutions which are delivered on their site.
What’s your biggest challenge working in workplace health and wellbeing?
Influencing and moving client organisational mindsets from a ‘reactive’ to a ‘proactive’ Health & Wellness focus and culture post-pandemic, and convincing employers and leaders to take the health & wellbeing of their employees more seriously.
In addition, there are always the challenges of promotion, participation, collecting data, and measuring the tangible outcomes and success of any Health & Wellbeing programs.
What do you feel are the key issues and considerations for people working in this sector?
The key considerations for practitioners and those working in the Health and Wellbeing space is to have a clear and sound strategy to implement based on contemporary research and data, the necessary tools, and the management support to execute the core elements of your workplace Health & Wellbeing program. Use your networks for support and take advantage of the resources available through organisations such as WayAhead Workplaces.
Other tips include: Taking the time to prioritise your own wellbeing, starting small and building momentum, energy and enthusiasm by identifying key leaders and personnel within the organisation, and always using a participatory approach to ensure the initiative is relevant to – the workers, the environment and there is an appetite at the workplace.
What do you think the future of workplace health and wellbeing looks like?
Within the organisations where I am currently engaged, I see the need for the Health & Wellbeing services and offerings of the future to be quite flexible, holistic, provide choice, and be more individually tailored to the specific organisation’s challenges.
They will need to have a focus on rebuilding the person-to-person contact within the new post-pandemic and hybrid working environments, and be proactive to enhance, attract and retain valuable employees in a tight labour market. More than ever, ergonomics and human factors will play a central part in the safe and healthy design of both work and workplaces.
What are your key practices and priorities for your own wellbeing at work? What about your team’s?
We have a key value within our business of ‘Caring for the Carer’ and we try to live this value through actively supporting our team members with flexible, diverse and engaging work opportunities, and through access to professional development and networks such as WayAhead Workplaces, for their own personal growth.
Personally, it is about striving for that balance – Practicing what I preach, getting enough sleep and of course finding time for more golf, enjoying our beautiful Brisbane climate, and enjoying every moment of precious family time.
How does WayAhead Workplaces bring value to your organisation’s work, and to yourself as a professional?
As a member of WayAhead Workplaces for a number of years, I have met some wonderful and extraordinarily experienced practitioners working in Health & Wellness who are generous with their time and have expanded my professional knowledge and network.
Our organisation will continue to be an active member of WayAhead Workplaces for the professional networking opportunities it brings, the access to the excellent resources and library of contemporary research, and the quality and variety of presenters and presentations, as these keep us all relevant and prepared for the emerging challenges in the Health & Wellness sector.
