Engineering Workplace Culture - Bulletproof

Abstract

How does the culture of your workplace drive healthy performance, strong connections, protect well-being and mental health? Each employer has its own culture that determines ‘how things get done around here’. However, engineers, construction and council organisations also share commonalities in terms of their predominant values, beliefs, behaviours, perceptions, experiences and relationships that transcend individual organisations. As a wider community, if healthy cultures are collectively strived for, the clients we serve will also benefit. Some examples of the importance in getting culture right. In the engineering sector alone: • It has a problem with mental ill-health amongst engineers. This is contributing to people taking time off. • Engineering is losing people to suicide. • Nearly 1 in 5 report they have lost a work colleague to suicide, and over 1 in 5 engineers report they have considered harming themselves or taking their own lives. • Men are 3.5 times more likely than women to say they have self-harmed or considered suicide. • Only 31% of engineers feel included in the environment they work in. • Less than a quarter of engineers would feel comfortable discussing their challenges battling depression, or financial stress with colleagues or their superiors. • Close to three quarters of engineers who have caring responsibilities, work flexibly. • Engineers rating their physical health as fair or poor are likely to also rate their mental health as such. The aim of this workshop is for members to have a positive experience reflecting on their ‘why’ and to explore the path to a healthy workplace. This interactive session will explore: • The effects of culture on our workplace • Our personal understandings of ‘purpose and culture’ for ourselves and our workplaces • Engineering a healthy culture - The pillars of creating a healthy culture • The power of ‘the room’ Outcomes of the session: • Sharing of ideas • Creation of simple outline of a plan around the pillars to drive culture • Building new or strengthening old connections