At Boehringer Ingelheim, wellbeing and development in the workplace are both crucial factors that can have a significant impact on the satisfaction of employees, whilst contributing to the overall health and success of a business. When employees are able to thrive and reach their full potential, it can lead to increased productivity, lower staff turnover, and a more positive work environment. We don’t talk about appraisals; we talk about People Growth – and we genuinely believe “Your Growth is our Growth”. Wellbeing and development are not only central to employee contentment and professional advancement in a company such as Boehringer Ingelheim, but they are also crucial to the success of businesses of all shapes and sizes – including within a veterinary practice.
Wellbeing
Boehringer Ingelheim has a truly holistic approach to employee’s wellbeing and provides excellent support both for mental and physical health. We want all colleagues to be well, so we can continue to improve human and animal health. We are powered by our people, so we will commit to providing an environment that encourages and enables us to lead healthier lives and to help make choices that support wellbeing.
A key aspect of promoting wellbeing in the workplace is supporting employees’ mental health. One of the many ways that employees can access this support at Boehringer Ingelheim is through trained ‘Wellbeing Navigators’. These colleagues are there to provide support and guidance – helping colleagues to learn more about what is available to help them in managing their own health and wellbeing. The purpose of the Wellbeing Navigator role is to promote a workplace culture where colleagues are free to discuss mental health issues openly and to raise awareness of the tools available to support colleagues with their wellbeing.
Wellbeing Navigators are also trained ‘Mental Health First Aiders’ to support with questions related to Mental Health. The Mental Health First Aid concept is widely known and utilised in organisations across the globe to enable us to promote a workplace culture where mental health issues can be discussed openly. Despite the name, a mental health first aider is not there to solve the issue, but they are available for colleagues who may be experiencing a mental health issue and who would benefit from a non-judgemental, supportive ear to listen and guide on where to go for support on what to do next.
Lara Middleton, a Technical Services Vet who is also one of our Wellbeing Navigators, has some simple tips on how to best approach a wellbeing conversation at work: “Be prepared – think about how, when and where to have a conversation. Open with something like “I’ve noticed that you don’t seem your usual self recently, are you ok?” As needed, follow on with open, non-judgmental questions and listen to understand, not just respond. Provide reassurance that help and support is available, we have a lot of resources at BI to signpost colleagues to. Remember to thank them for sharing – talking can be hard but it’s so important no one feels alone.”
In addition to promoting good mental health, Boehringer Ingelheim also supports initiatives to improve physical health through diet, exercise, and healthy work-life balance.
How can you ensure a culture of wellbeing in your workplace?
Firstly, the whole company must understand the importance of having wellbeing as one of the organisation’s key values and beliefs. To successfully create a culture where mental and physical health is a priority, leaders must role model healthy behaviour. Asking employees what they feel they need is also important, as wellbeing requirements will vary from person to person, and listening will provide great insights into what is specifically required. As new processes and ways of working are introduced, maintaining positive and open communication where feedback is regularly sought is essential. At Boehringer Ingelheim we track our progress through internal employee surveys and external validation, for example with the globally recognised Top Employer Certification which we are proud to have achieved for a third time in 2023.
Additionally, mindfulness and meditation can be a good way to relieve stress and anxiety, with multiple guided meditation apps and wellness podcasts all easily accessible online. Providing nutritious snacks in the workplace, encouraging physical activity, and encouraging employees to have a healthy work-life balance can all contribute to improved physical wellbeing.
Introducing these features benefits everyone – when employees can maintain a healthy mind and body, it will lead to increased energy, focus and productivity.
Learning and Development
Boehringer Ingelheim is also highly committed to another important aspect of workplace development – providing multiple opportunities for employees to learn and grow. When employees feel that they are able to advance their careers and reach their full potential, it can lead to increased motivation and job satisfaction.
The learning environment at Boehringer Ingelheim provides opportunities through actively encouraging employees to expand their skillset. This is achieved through yearly structured progress planning, internal and external training, as well as mentorship and leadership development. Additionally, employees are also encouraged to undertake secondments in different areas of the business and can access support with obtaining further qualifications. There is also plenty of opportunity for ongoing self-directed learning, with access to hundreds of courses on LinkedIn Learning.
These opportunities help to build on the current strengths of an employee and allows them to obtain experience and competencies required to achieve their full potential. Active investment in employee development and growth provides recognition that lifelong learning, acquiring new skills and personal growth are essential for achieving and sustaining success.
What practices can you adopt that may help with learning and development?
Jo Hammett, Head of HR Centre of Excellence at Boehringer Ingelheim suggests a reflective approach: “As professionals we are constantly learning, but by being more intentional about your learning, you may be able to get more from it. For example, when learning something new, studies show that the depth of a learning experience is increased by over 10% when the specific learning outcome you want is clearly defined beforehand. However, when learning is reviewed afterwards – reflecting on what was learnt and how an approach might differ next time – the learning experience can be enhanced by approximately another 30%. This substantial increase happens because whilst as adults we learn most through the application of knowledge, reflection is a strong secondary learning technique.”
“We also learn a lot through other people, so creating a supportive network is critical. Have you ever worked with someone you found inspirational, and through their positive role modelling and advice, you improved and progressed? Who can be a coach, mentor or even sponsor for you in your career? A coach tends to be your partner – challenging you to think better. Coaching builds confidence, increases results and can encourage people out of their comfort zone and into their growth or learning zone, where great work can be achieved.”
Customer Experience Support Team Manager and Veterinary Nurse Georgia Sampson has benefited from coaching at Boehringer Ingelheim: “Coaching has been a great support to me as a space to work through my ideas, build self-awareness and grow my confidence as a new manager.”
HR Director Mikko Majasaari reminds us that ultimately, we are all accountable for our own growth: “While an organisation can create a culture for growth, and a climate where people have space to try new things and fail fast, the accountability for growth will still reside with the individual. They need to be able to reflect on where they are, and where they aspire to be and then, through growth mindset qualities like having positive beliefs and focus coupled with acting your way to growth through effort, embracing challenges, learning from mistakes and seeking (and acting on) feedback.”
Overall, promoting wellbeing and development in the workplace is a key factor in the success and sustainability of a business. When wellbeing and development are at the core of an organisation, employees feel supported and able to cope with the demands of the job, and are less likely to experience stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues – leading to increased job satisfaction and better performance. By investing in the health and growth of employees, businesses can create a positive and productive work environment that benefits both the company and its employees.
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