Interview with: Dr. David Batman, International Occupational Health Adviser and Member of Science Advisory Board Virgin Pulse Institute

1. Interview with: Dr. David Batman,
International Occupational Health
Adviser and Member of Science
Advisory Board Virgin Pulse Insti-
tute
“In an increasingly uncertain economic
and political environment it has never
been more certain that the health and
wellbeing (physical and mental) of the
workforce is of paramount importance.
Without it there cannot be the increase
in resilience and performance which will
lead to increase in productivity and
ultimately business performance,” says
Dr. David Batman, International
Occupational Health Adviser and
Member of Science Advisory Board
Virgin Pulse Institute. “By changing
habits of employees, and employers,
they become sustainable changed
behaviours that become part of the
business culture,” he adds.
Virgin Pulse is a sponsor company at the
marcus evans HR Summit 2017,
taking place in the Gold Coast, Queen-
sland, 27 - 29 March.
What are the workforce habits that
matter, and why do they?
There are many and varied habits that
can be addressed. Work today is so
pervasive that it is the perfect place to
cultivate healthy habits. Businesses
have a critical role to play in empower-
ing employees to make positive changes
to their lifestyles.
By far the most important “business
habit” is to recognise and embed
employee wellbeing into a business
strategy that is clear, simple, actionable
and communicated throughout the
organisation. This should be linked into
the businesses performance “dash-
board” and managed and monitored as
with all other KPIs. I would also strongly
recommend moving from ROI (Return
on Investment) to a VOI (Value on
Investment) structure.
There are basic self-care behaviours
that employers should encourage –
ensuring employees understand the
importance of sleep; being active at
work and home, and eating and drinking
sensibly. It is also important to create a
culture that promotes the support and
management of stress and mental
health. In my experience, this is the
number one challenge to wellbeing in
the modern workplace, and positive
habits and processes are needed to
counter it. Above all it is to ensure that
the habits become part of everyday life
and not just a short-term initiative or
action.
What tools do people need to build
better habits?
Three crucial considerations when
building better habits: 1) They need
something small and achievable that
can be increased incrementally, that is
in line with their lifestyle and abilities;
2) They need motivation and a proposi-
tion of engagement and fun - not
suffering and sacrifice; 3) They need
support from peers and colleagues that
will in turn promote self-belief.
How can HR engage people?
By making employees feel that the
business cares for them and is taking
their wellbeing seriously. Making a
programme visible, well understood,
long-term and well communicated.
Engagement is a feeling of commitment
and goodwill on the part of the em-
ployee. HR’s role is to create the kind of
environment where they feel predis-
posed to these emotions.
The prerequisite to engagement is
wellbeing. Employees cannot engage
with their organisations if they are sick,
extremely stressed, or constantly
battling impaired physical or psychologi-
cal health. If you can proactively
manage stress and psychological
wellbeing, create a space where it is
safe to ask for help and support, and
also promote the self-care behaviours
outlined, then in this environment,
engagement should increase.
What helps drive long-term health
and productivity results?
Ultimately, creating an employee
wellbeing strategy that is synchronised
and embraces a health and wellbeing
effort that becomes part of a work-
place’s culture and business perform-
ance platform; and is then reflected in
business outcomes based on a VOI
structure.
What impact can this approach have
on business performance, success
and loyalty?
In today’s economic situation it is
increasingly becoming aware that the
days of cost-cutting and rationalisation
are over and successful businesses are
those that recognise and invest in
employee wellbeing. Building a healthy
and resilient workforce will lead to
increased engagement, permanence and
hence a profitable organisation.
These days, your chances of attracting
as well as retaining talented people,
particularly millennials, is significantly
improved by creating a healthy environ-
ment for your staff. It can be a pro-
foundly cost-effective way to build
productivity, culture, talent and creativ-
ity.
Work today is
so pervasive
that it is the
perfect place
to cultivate
healthy habits
Why HR Should Create a Culture of
Employee Health and Wellbeing

2. T h e H R N e t w o r k –
marcus evans Summits group
delivers peer-to-peer information
on strategic matters, professional
t r e n d s a n d b r e a k t h r o u g h
innovations.
Please note that the Summit is a
closed business event and the
number of participants strictly
limited.
About the HR Summit 2017
The 13th annual HR Summit is the premium forum bringing elite buyers and sellers
together. The Summit offers chief HR executives and service and solution providers
an intimate environment for a focused discussion of the key new drivers shaping
corporate priorities and HR strategies. Taking place at the RACV Royal Pines Resort,
Gold Coast, Queensland, 27 - 29 March, the Summit includes presentations on a
range of topics, among which helping the organisation sharpen its customer focus,
developing outstanding leaders, redesigning structures for higher efficiency, and
creating an innovative culture.
www.hranzsummit.com
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About Virgin Pulse
Virgin Pulse, part of Sir Richard Branson’s famed Virgin Group, helps employers create workforces that are happier, healthier and
ultimately more productive in all aspects of their personal and professional lives.
The company’s modern, mobile-first platform delivers a personalised user experience that utilises gamification to engage users in
building habits that inspire meaningful and measurable change across individuals and the business.
By helping employees thrive at work and in all aspects of life, Virgin Pulse is helping change lives and businesses for good. Unlike
narrowly focused employee health solutions, Virgin Pulse’s solutions span the full wellbeing spectrum - from traditional wellness to
strategic wellbeing - providing organisations with solutions that are appropriate for them today and tomorrow.
More than 2,200 organisations representing many of the Fortune 500 and Best Places to Work have selected Virgin Pulse's
solutions to engage their workforces and drive their businesses forward.
Virgin Pulse has ten office locations around the world including Australia (Melbourne), Brazil, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland,
United Kingdom, USA (Framingham, Providence, New York, San Francisco).
https://globalchallenge.virginpulse.com
About marcus evans Summits
marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss
strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to
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For more information, please visit: www.marcusevans.com
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