CORE e-forum: Well-being in the Workplace - Creating a Healthy Work Environment in Libraries
April 9-10, 2024
Moderated by Bobbi Newman, Margie Sheppard, and Debra Trogdon-Livingston
Please join us for an e-forum discussion. It's free and open to everyone!
Registration information is at the end of the message.
Session Time:
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Central
Description
Join us to explore ways libraries are fostering a culture of well-being at work by creating policies and practices that empower staff to make choices that improve their health. We will explore the following eight aspects of workplace well-being in this CORE eforum.
Physical Environment: A clean, safe, and comfortable physical workspace is crucial for employee health and well-being. This includes proper lighting, ergonomic furniture, adequate ventilation, and access to amenities like break areas, nature, and natural light.
Mental and Emotional Well-being: Supporting employees' mental and emotional health is essential for creating a healthy workplace. This can involve promoting work-life balance, offering mental health resources and support services, and fostering a culture of open communication and psychological safety.
Workload and Job Design: Ensuring workloads are manageable and well-defined tasks can help prevent burnout and stress. Additionally, offering opportunities for skill development, autonomy, and meaningful work can contribute to job satisfaction and overall well-being.
Recognition and Appreciation: Recognizing and appreciating employees' contributions and achievements is essential for morale and motivation. This can take various forms, including verbal praise, rewards and incentives, and opportunities for advancement and career growth.
Flexibility and Work-Life Balance: Providing flexibility in work schedules and arrangements, such as remote work options and flexible hours, allows employees to balance their work and personal responsibilities better. This can lead to higher job satisfaction and reduced stress levels.
Clear Communication and Transparency: Clear communication channels and transparent decision-making processes are essential for fostering employee trust and confidence. Clear communication creates a psychologically safe workplace. Keeping employees informed about company goals, policies, and changes can help reduce uncertainty and anxiety.
Supportive Leadership: Strong leadership that values and prioritizes employee well-being sets the tone for a healthy workplace culture. Leaders who lead by example, listen to employee feedback, and support their team members' growth and development contribute to a positive work environment.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility: Promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace creates a sense of belonging and ensures all employees feel valued and respected. Embracing various backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences fosters creativity, innovation, and collaboration. Creating policies that increase accessibility improves the work environment for everyone.
While the discussions encompass various aspects of workplace well-being, it's important to note that we respectfully request refraining from topics related to weight loss, dieting, or movement-based programs. Recognizing the complexities surrounding such programs, including their potential impact on camaraderie, team dynamics, and privacy concerns, we aim to cultivate an inclusive and supportive environment focused on holistic approaches to well-being.
Hosts
Bobbi Newman (She/Her) is the Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist at Region 6 of the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) at the University of Iowa Libraries. She is the author of Fostering Wellness in the Workplace: A Guide for Libraries (ALA Editions) and editor for the forthcoming A Manager's Guide to Creating a Flourishing Workplace: Strategies for Fostering Wellness in Libraries (ALA Editions). Bobbi is a mindfulness student and a body acceptance advocate. She serves on the Advisory Board for Let's Move in Libraries.
Margie Sheppard (She/Her) is the Community Engagement Coordinator at NNLM Region 3 for the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) located at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Her work includes helping libraries and community organizations interested in improving the health and well-being of members in their communities by connecting them with NNLM resources and with each other. She has co-presented on Wellness in the Workplace and is interested in projects aimed at improving community mental health.
Debra Trogdon-Livingston (She/They) serves as the User Experience and Education Strategist for Region 2 of the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) headquartered at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). They provide resources, education, user experience guidance, and program evaluation services to members and communities in Region 2. Debra has a strong focus on workplace wellness, diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, LGBTQIA2S+ equity, and health literacy. Debra has co-presented Beyond the Binary: Understanding LGBTQIA+ Health, Wellness in the Library Workplace and is teaching Mental Health in the Library Workplace next year.
What Is an e-Forum?
A Core e-forum provides an opportunity for librarians to discuss matters of interest, led by a moderator, through the e-forum discussion list. The e-forum discussion list works like an email listserv: register your email address with the list, and then you will receive messages and communicate with other participants through an email discussion. Most e-forums last two to three days. Registration is necessary to participate, but it's free.
For information about upcoming e-forums, please visit http://www.ala.org/core/e-forums
How to Register
You must register your email address to subscribe to or access an electronic discussion list on ALA's Mailing List Service. Once you have registered for one e-forum, you do not need to register again, unless you choose to leave the list. Find instructions for subscribing and unsubscribing online. (http://www.ala.org/core/continuing-education/e-forum-instructions)
If you have any problems, please contact core-eforum+help@groups.io.
*Posted on behalf of the Core Continuing Education Committee.*
-
Find your home, find your Core!
Searching for your place in ALA? If your role is in buildings, collections, management, or technology, then Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures may be the perfect fit for you! Six sections let you tailor your membership to the areas that match your interests and career aspirations. Our interest groups offer networking and problem-solving, while our volunteer opportunities give you practical experience for your résumé. Our members are critical to implementing and maintaining core library services; they come from every level of responsibility and help shape the future of the profession. We hope you'll consider joining and finding your home in Core!
------------------------------
Jason Griffith
Systems Librarian
University of Kentucky
------------------------------