[Eril-l] CORE e-forum: Well-being in the Workplace - Creating a Healthy Work Environment in Libraries

Fri Mar 29 06:06:38 PDT 2024

*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 at groups.io.

**Posted on behalf of the Core Continuing Education Committee.**

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