Actuality¹⁴⁸

Connecting with Workplace Well-being - Expert Opinions

FEELING GOOD AT WORK

Par

Alyssa Boily-Simard

JCCM

What is the concept of 'workplace well-being'?

On February 28th, our webinar on workplace well-being took place. During this meeting, our three invited speakers, Laurie Michel, speaker on hyperconnectivity and the right to disconnect, Céline Morellon, President and CEO of Leaders de Valeur Groupe conseil inc. (LVGC), and Martin Binette, General Manager of Development and Growth at Relief, discussed the issues related to psychological health and well-being in the workplace, as well as the various areas of intervention associated with it.

Workplace well-being is a prevalent topic in professional environments. However, many misconceptions and myths circulate around this concept, making it sometimes challenging to understand and implement. Nevertheless, it is necessary to demystify the subject to grasp its issues and real benefits for individuals as well as organizations.

According to Céline Morellon, CEO of LVGC, the definition of workplace well-being moves away from the requirement for absolute happiness. In her view, well-being is akin to a state of balance, where a person is in harmony with themselves, which she describes as a state of equilibrium, denoted as "state 0.

In other words, to achieve this state, it is preferable to move away from extreme emotions such as excitement, exhilaration, sadness, frustration, anxiety, etc., in order to focus better on achieving a state of calm. Afterward, it becomes much easier to attach motivation, mobilization, and eventually recognize stress when it arises.

For Martin Binette, General Manager of Development and Growth at Relief, the ultimate tool in achieving well-being is the individual. Therefore, the concept of self-management becomes a fundamental aspect in this quest. While psychological health tools are beneficial and supportive, they can only offer optimal results if the situation has been analyzed and addressed by the person experiencing it.

In this context, Martin Binette proposes the CÉCA method (Know, Evaluate, Choose, and Act). The CÉCA self-management exercise is a method for learning self-management and taking charge of one's psychological situation. It allows individuals who use it to better understand their mental health state and develop self-observation and self-assessment skills.

The process begins with recognizing negative or intense emotional reactions caused by an event or situation. This is followed by assessing the individual's mental health state, as well as their abilities and needs. Then, the person is encouraged to choose the right tools that will help them achieve well-being and finally take action regarding their treatment.

Persistent Taboos

In a rapidly evolving world, it is essential to open the discussion about healthy performance through workplace well-being. Knowing our limits and learning to say no are crucial aspects. Unfortunately, awareness-building efforts are still required.

“Many professionals express that taking breaks is beneficial for them, but they often feel guilty about scheduling them.” Par

Laurie Michel, Speaker, Hyperconnectivity, and the Right to Disconnect

According to research conducted by Relief Chair, in collaboration with Laval University and powered by Beneva, the primary reason employees do not seek help is the fear of judgment, or even the fear of losing their jobs.

However, according to the 2022 report on the mental health of workers in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Canada, one in three people experiences psychological distress. Clearly, significant educational efforts are crucial to break down these societal taboos surrounding mental health, which are reflected in our workplaces.

Re-watch our webinar in replay!