The UK Psych Health and Safety Podcast

How do we get Organisations to improve their well-being - with Dr Christian Van Stolk

Episode Summary

In this week's episode Sheila Lord and Peter Kelly are speaking to Dr Christian Van Stolk - Executive Vice President at RAND Europe. He has worked broadly on health and well-being. His work in the past has focused on working on the health and well-being of staff in the National Health Service in the UK and looking at the connection between productivity, health, and well-being outcomes.

Episode Transcription

Today's guest is Christian van Stolk, Executive Vice President at RAND Europe. He has worked broadly on health and well-being in the working environment. His work in the past has focused on working on the health and well-being of staff in the National Health Service in the UK; keeping up with and acquiring work for those with normal psychological well-being conditions, fabricating a proof base for health interventions in work environment settings, and looking at the connection between productivity, health, and well-being outcomes.

Christian has previously advised significant private sector employers, the UK government, European institutions, the OECD, and the World Bank. He presently oversees RAND's work on Britain's Healthiest Workplace and Asia's Healthiest Workplace contests with Vitality Health.

He serves on various government expert committees, including occupational health, mental health, and employee health and wellness in the NHS. He received his Ph.D. from the London School of Economics and Political Science and fellowships from the Royal Society of Medicine and the Royal Society of the Arts.

 

[02:19] Well-being in an Organization – Christian talks about well-being in general and how it can be quite difficult in large Organizations.

 

[04:44] How do we get Organizations to improve their well-being? – Emphasizes the need to create a link between better health and well-being amongst employees and business outcomes.

 

[07:52] Some key findings from Britain's healthiest workplace survey - Christian shared some significant findings from a well-being survey conducted by Britain's healthiest workplace.

 

[11:09] Clinicians leaving their professions due to stress and mental health – Christian points out how large Organizations poorly manage their health workers, resulting in them leaving due to stress and mental health.

 

[13:07] Examples of good well-being practice - Using the NHS as an example, Christian highlights the essential characteristics connected with practicing good well-being.

 

[15:20] Organizational factors that impact people's well-being – Christian illustrates some factors that need to be put in place in other to impact human well-being

 

[18:38] Expectations – Christian helps us understand the need for realistic expectations.

 

[21:29] Improving people’s healthcare – Christian elaborates on how healthier healthcare workers result in better healthcare, which brings forth a healthier population.

 

[24:45] ISO standard - Christian explains the ISO standard for well-being and how it can help individuals overcome challenges.

 

[29:29] COVID effect on healthcare – Christian discussed the different engagement and satisfactory levels during the pandemic and its impact on the clinician's well-being.

 

[33:15] Post pandemic opportunities for employers and employees – Christian helps us see how more collaboration between employees and employers can enhance an organization's health and well-being in the near future.

 

[36:21] Putting people first - Christian enlightened us on how prioritizing human well-being may aid in developing preparedness for any form of pandemic.

 

[38:49] Advice to business leaders - Christian educate business leaders on the importance of health and well-being in their business.