Online service provides free access to wellbeing resources

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A new web-based initiative aims to make it easier to engage employees in wellbeing schemes, explains Robertson Cooper's managing director Ben Moss. Despite the weight of research demonstrating the positive difference wellbeing can make, most organisations still do not realise the potential of a well workforce. Reluctant chief executives and other budget holders, as well as sceptical employees, can be big barriers. So where is the impetus for this change going to come from? Business psychologist firm Robertson Cooper believe that part of the solution is the internet and social media. Having run a network of wellbeing practitioners for the last five years, in November 2012 the group launched a free online service called Good Day at Work - giving access to wellbeing resources to everyone in every organisation. It builds on Robertson Cooper's free tool i-resilience, which has now been used by nearly 30,000 people to help them improve their resilience levels. The company aims to provide resources to at least 100,000 people through the Good Day at Work initiative over the next two years. Employee engagement Historically, wellbeing has been an issue primarily owned by HR, although responsibility has spread to other business areas, some of which usually sit within HR. But if wellbeing is to be part of everyday working life, senior management and line managers need to be involved, in addition to the employees themselves.  

Wellbeing cannot just be 'done' to people, they need to engage with the issue themselves and take responsibility for playing their part in creating a well workplace."

  Wellbeing cannot just be "done" to people, they need to engage with the issue themselves and take responsibility for playing their part in creating a well workplace. The Good Day at Work service is designed to enable all employees to take responsibility for their wellbeing and get more out of their work. For example, understanding the behaviour and working styles of others helps an employee improve their working relationships. Or helping a line manager appreciate the impact they are having on their team improves their performance and that of their colleagues. All