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The importance of workplace wellbeing

Q&A with Julie Stephens, Group Director of Wellbeing and Health & Safety.

Meet Julie Stephens, Group Director of Wellbeing and Health & Safety at Bupa.

How long have you worked at Bupa?

I came to Bupa just over 10 years ago and worked as the People Director in both the UK Care Home and Dental businesses. When the opportunity to drive the wellbeing agenda globally for Bupa came up it was too good an opportunity to miss. Helping employees stay both mentally and physically healthy has become increasingly critical for people to feel real connection to their company and enjoy their work. I am so grateful to be able to work with such a great team and make a difference in this space for our colleagues – and in turn, customers!

Can you walk us through Bupa’s approach to wellbeing?

In early 2021, our Group CEO Iñaki Ereño was a signatory of the Global Business Collaboration for Mental Health pledge. The pledge is a very clear commitment to continuing to reduce the stigma around mental health in society and measuring efforts to do this with six steps.

We’re focused on implementing it at Bupa, with an action plan, promoting an open culture to wellbeing, taking proactive steps to create a culture which improves mental health, empowering people to manage their mental health, signposting to tools and resources and through all of this, inspiring and influencing the business.

If we take care of ourselves, we can take care of others - that’s why wellbeing at Bupa is so important. It enables us to truly live our purpose of helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world.

After numerous lockdowns, the pandemic has taken its toll on the mental health and wellbeing of people around the world. What was the most important lesson for you that came out of the pandemic?

I have the upmost respect and gratitude for our amazing people across all areas of our business who were so spirited and cared for our customers unflinchingly throughout the pandemic. They kept going despite facing anxiety and uncertainty, difficulties at home with lockdowns and of course for some, the loss of loved ones.

The biggest lesson learnt for me is how much our home and work lives merged. This presents challenges as we must be careful people don’t feel as though there is no cut off from work, however it has also been positive as we have all got to know each other so much better. When people feel known, understood, and included, they feel safe to share what they need from work from a wellbeing perspective. This is incredibly important in allowing organisations to be able to get their support right.

What is the biggest wellbeing challenge faced by employers now?

Wellbeing awareness is maturing beyond what tools are on offer. People are seeking to address the root cause issues: what makes work good, or what is perhaps difficult or damaging for people? This is where it gets more challenging and requires senior leadership to commit to having a healthy work culture. As with many things, it’s about keeping things easy to understand, access and personalise.

What is your top tip for looking after yourself at work?

We have a tool at Bupa called Personal Energy which encourages you to focus on 9 different aspects of wellbeing. For me, I know I am positive and happy at work and home if I exercise regularly with friends, limit alcohol to weekends, eat more lightly and sleep well. All these things are mutually dependent so when one drops, others follow. Trying to keep the focus on what makes you feel good is so important.

What is on Bupa’s wellbeing agenda for 2022 and beyond?

I have been exploring the amazing wellbeing practices we have across Bupa globally, establishing where we have made impact and what needs improvement. As a global healthcare organisation, we are fortunate to have incredible expertise across all aspects of wellbeing, clinical, and health and safety. We will be ensuring we maximise this for our people with a particular focus on ensuring we do this sustainably, doing our bit to protect the planet as we improve human health.