February 2024 Newsletter
Welcome to the first newsletter of 2024!
While not everyone managed to have any substantial time off, we hope you enjoyed some of the summer break with people you appreciate the most. Some are feeling recharged and optimistic about the year ahead, while others, heavy with challenges from the past 4 yrs, feel the trend looks set to continue.
Whatever your view. A blend of challenges, encompassing the rising cost of living, the urgent climate crisis, and geopolitical tensions, paints a picture of a complex year ahead for us all. The need for readily available mental health support is going to be more crucial than ever. Not only providing help like Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) but digging deeper to the root causes of workplace issues.
For any business considering substantial restructure changes in 2024, it is important to remember the heightened pressure on employees already and take proactive measures to minimise additional impacts on their overall wellbeing where possible.
It’s not all doom and gloom, we have had a bumper stone-fruit season with loads of backpackers making harvest easier than previous years. After a rough season last year both Apples and Kiwifruit look set for a great harvest keeping the supermarkets stocked with delicious fruit. Thankfully the nearly extinct NZ Black Doris plum had a great season. Anticipated below-average wine grape yields in Marlborough could provide the industry with a much-needed respite following consecutive bumper crops.
This month’s newsletter we tackle workplace health, safety and wellbeing from a number of different angles. Share some top tips if you’re thinking of restructuring your business. Introduce our new partnership to help grow your people. Free training for managing staff during times of pressure. And a heads up, to make sure you’re up to date with legislative changes coming out of Wellington. And finally, some great news about workplace jerks.
Our newsletter aims to celebrate and support you, connecting you to global and local insights that contribute to the creation of more inclusive workplaces. Your time is precious, feedback allows us to produce content that is relevant and useful. tanya@nzee.nz
Take care and keep safe,
Tanya Pouwhare, CEO, New Zealand Ethical Employers Inc.