Professor Jeffrey Pfeffer says some work environments are unhealthy and contribute to increases in smoking, alcohol abuse, high blood pressure and a shorter lifespan.
How do you identify a healthy workplace? Some would say it is when employees feel valued, trusted, and respected, engaged in their work, have job security and work-family balance.
Follow this link to the complete Stanford University study led by Professor Pfeffer.
The Sanctuary Model of trauma-informed helped Counseling & Recovery Services of Oklahoma create a healthier work environment. Sanctuary addresses many of the top work stressors identified in Pfeffer’s research.
With the Sanctuary Model, clients and staff help to create a healthy culture with these commitments:
- Emotional Intelligence: Managing feelings so we don’t hurt ourselves or others.
- Social Responsibility: Agreeing to take care of ourselves and each other.
- Social Learning: Respecting and sharing ideas and learning from each other.
- Democracy: Everyone has a voice in decision making with input from all levels.
- Non-Violence: Physical, emotional, moral and social safety for ourselves and others.
- Open Communications: Saying what we mean and not being mean when we say it.
- Growth and Change: Overcoming negative patterns produced by trauma creates hope for a better future.
Counseling & Recovery’s Sanctuary implementation resulted in decreased employee turnover and client grievances. Safety and self-care plans are discussed during client sessions and employee supervision.
In fact, we have seen many more benefits, including: Better communication, improved group dynamics, better ability to articulate goals, greater understanding of reenactment behavior and resistance to change, and an enhanced ability to cope with loss as well as create strategies for change.
To learn more about the Sanctuary Model and how it helps clients and staff at Counseling & Recovery Services, follow this link.