Enabling Individual Wellness at A*Star
Since 2017, more than 3,000 employees have attended weekly COP workshops, forums and courses. In informal and social settings, “the usual hierarchy in public agencies became flat”, Hiroshi says.
“These casual events were hosted in the cosy spaces at Infuse. When COVID-19 hit, we moved the sessions online. Staff from all levels mingle and share each other’s personal tribulations at work and home. This humanises the workplace and adds authenticity to relations.”
With social distancing measures and work-from-home being the norm for the past year, A*STAR’s leadership has also found new ways to engage staff.
Since August 2020, Mr Sachi and Professor Andy Hor, DCE (Research), have been hosting weekly lunchtime Zoom chats with employees. The topics range from how the workplace can become more effective and innovative, to the dos and don’ts of scientific authorship. The two leaders also check in regularly with staff via Zoom to share their views and listen to feedback.
Prof Andy says: “Research is about being creative, resourceful, resilient and dedicated, none of which would be possible without taking good care of oneself – mind and body. It is critical that we look after ourselves and the people we work with.”
To promote mental wellbeing, A*STAR also has a free counselling service for staff to confidentially seek professional help when feeling emotionally down.
Spreading the Message of Wellbeing
Staff who attend these various wellbeing initiatives go on to seed the importance of emotional self-care when they return to their work spaces.
Hiroshi says: “Increasingly we see evidence-based research that individual wellbeing is significantly tied to workplace productivity. If one goes down, the other also takes a beating. They are not exclusive.”
While many religions and cultures have incorporated mindfulness into their practice for thousands of years, research from institutions such as the University of Massachusetts Medical Centre and the University of Oxford Mindfulness Centre now confirm “what monks have known for ages”, he adds.
Having a head start on employee wellbeing initiatives has served A*STAR staff well. “Since COVID-19 in 2020, when wellbeing became a national topic, we have been able to quickly level up wellbeing and do these sessions virtually,” says Hiroshi.