wellbeing series
Our wellbeing webinar series for employers in partnership with AIA Australia has been curated with HESTA employers' needs in mind.
fatigue and shift work: managing the impacts
We all need adequate sleep to function properly. Research shows that sleep is essential for a wide range of cognitive and bodily functions, yet many of us don’t get enough1.
Shift workers and others who work irregular or long working hours are particularly at risk of a condition known as shift work sleep disorder – which can lead to insomnia, excessive sleepiness or reduced alertness.
The impacts of disrupted or insufficient sleep can impact not only on personal wellbeing but also performance at work. That’s why it’s critical for organisations to understand evidence-based strategies that help manage shift work related fatigue and minimise work health and safety risks.
Our webinar
In this webinar, our panel of experts will cover:
- why fatigue management is such an important issue for employers across the health and community services sector
- how shift work, particularly late or overnight work, impacts the body’s natural cycles
- effective evidence-based strategies shift workers can use to improve sleep quality.
1 Black Dog Institute, Shiftwork and sleep: what health professionals need to know
Register for our webinar
When: Choose between 27 Oct, 28 Oct or 29 Oct at 12pm (AEDT)
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Our speakers
Laura Bozac, Senior Wellbeing Consultant, AIA Australia
Laura is a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in mental health across hospital, emergency, community and crisis support settings, including at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and a 24-hour mental health hotline. Over the past 14 years at AIA Australia, she has specialised in Mental Health, TPD and Trauma claims, working closely with members experiencing significant health challenges. Her combined clinical and insurance experience gives her a strong understanding of the physical, psychological and vocational impacts of illness and injury, as well as the work demands of employees within the health and community sector.
Adriana Giles, Clinical and Rehabilitation Lead EXPHYS, MClinExPhys (Rehab) (Dist), BEx&SpSc (1st Class Hons), ESSAM, AEP
Adriana is the Clinical and Rehabilitation Lead at EXPHYS. She guides the professional development of a highly experienced national team of exercise physiologists. Adriana brings academic, leadership and clinical depth to her work. The pain recovery e-book that she co-authored has reached over 80,000 readers. Adriana presents to insurance and rehabilitation professionals on pain science, fatigue, mental health and menopause; translating complex topics into practical insights that drive better outcomes. Adriana also supports clients face-to-face in Tamworth and surrounds and nationally via telehealth.
Mechelen D'Souza, Operations Manager, Resilia, BPsych (Hons), MProfPsych, Registered Psychologist, NMAS Mediator
Mechelen is a Registered Psychologist, Nationally Accredited Mediator, and Operations Manager within Resilia. She has more than 10 years’ experience across psychological treatment, workplace wellbeing, rehabilitation and organisational consulting, and specialises in psychosocial risk management, workplace mental health, early intervention and employee wellbeing. She has experience working with shift workers and employees operating in safety-critical environments, providing assessment, coaching and consultation on fatigue, sleep disruption, burnout, psychological wellbeing and sustainable performance.
Raphaelle Kennedy, Senior Manager Growth & Engagement, HESTA
Raphaelle has over 20 years of experience leading innovative approaches to achieving change. She works in partnership with experts in different sectors to achieve life changing impacts for HESTA members, tackling solutions to systemic barriers that would otherwise inhibit their retirement outcomes. Raphaelle led the discovery on HESTA's work to understand the impact of poor mental health on members' retirement savings and is now working with HESTA partners to improve mental health in your sector.
additional resources
The following can be shared with employees to help support their wellbeing.
My Psychologist
At times we face challenges that create uncertainty, where the inner voice lets self-doubt creep in. Access more information about AIA's partnership with My Psychologist.
Extra support services
Search for over 450,000 services close to you, including financial assistance, meals, shelter, family violence support, and much more, through Ask Izzy*.
recorded webinars
Practical strategies to help support your team’s mental health
Employers in the Australian health and community services sector are facing a unique challenge.
Factors like staff shortages, combined with physically and emotionally demanding work, can create challenges with maintaining good mental health and wellbeing.
In this webinar, our panel of experts:
- shared practical strategies for supporting employees who may be experiencing burnout, trauma or compassion fatigue, and the benefits of early intervention
- discussed the important role of leaders in modelling psychologically safe workplaces
- outlined the benefits and services available to all HESTA members.
Supporting cardiovascular health in the workplace
According to the Heart Foundation Australia, cardiovascular disease accounts for one in every four deaths. There is a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease among shift workers.
This webinar explored how prioritising physical and mental wellbeing can support cardiovascular health.
Our panel of experts:
- examined how employers can play a part in balancing out the risk factors for their employees
- shared the latest research and thought leadership on cardiovascular health
- engaged in a panel discussion answering questions from the audience.
Designing work to support employees
in the health and community services sector
In this webinar for employers, we looked at the steps organisations can take towards better work design to support employees through life’s challenges and improve mental health ― ultimately enabling them to remain in the workforce.
Our experts explored:
- research into work design and mental health in the health and community services industry
- research findings on barriers to women’s labour force participation
- what people need to stay connected to the workforce when experiencing crisis
- ideas for employers to create a healthy and productive work environment for all employees.
Mid-life health and wellbeing
To help you provide the support your employees may need to thrive at work despite their symptoms, in partnership with AIA Australia, we discussed how you can support employees experiencing menopause and perimenopause.
We were thrilled to welcome guest speakers Dr Marita Long (MBBS FRACGP DCH Cert of Sexual and Reproductive Health), General Practitioner and Board Director of Australasian Menopause Society (AMS) and Lauren Reynolds, Shared Value Manager from AIA Australia
In this webinar, we explored:
- Evidence-based education around menopause
- Strategies for supporting employees experiencing mid-life, to enable continued participation in the workforce and better job satisfaction.
Improving return to work outcomes for employees with breast cancer
Returning to work is a key milestone for an individual recovering from breast cancer - positively affecting their quality of life, self-esteem and personal finances - and for their employer.
In partnership with AIA Australia, we explored:
- the breast cancer claims experience of HESTA members
- how you can provide support for your employees while they’re on leave and preparing to return to work
- the support programs offered through AIA Australia designed to improve health and return to work outcomes.
Supporting employees through financial stress
Presented in partnership with AIA Australia, this webinar explored how financial stress may affect your employees and how you can support them to feel in control of their finances and financially secure, helping to improve their overall wellbeing.
HESTA’s General Manager – Advice, Jen Harding was joined by AIA’s Shared Value Manager, Lauren Reynolds, to unpack:
- the impact of personal financial stress on employees
- studies linking financial and mental health challenges
- the impact of employees’ financial wellbeing on the workplace
- HESTA tools and services designed to help improve our members’ financial wellbeing.
The importance of social connection
To help provide the critical support your employees may need, in partnership with our insurer AIA Australia, we hosted a webinar on the importance of social connection.
Hear from Dr Michelle Lim, leading scientific expert in loneliness and chair of Ending Loneliness Together, and Alison Mclean, AIA Australia's General Manager of Shared Value Partnerships, followed by a panel discussion.
Workplace resilience: helping rebuild resilience in teams under pressure
Presented in partnership with AIA Australia in March 2022, this recorded webinar is designed to help you support your employees’ mental health and (re)build their resilience — both of which may have been challenged during the pandemic.
Hear from Aaron Williams, Mindstar, and Rob Prugue, Chair of People Reaching out to People (PROP), followed by a panel discussion.
Enabling employees with chronic pain
In partnership with AIA Australia, our Enabling employees with chronic pain recorded webinar shares insights to help you better support your employees and help them contribute at their best when they’re able.
Our distinguished keynote speaker, Professor Lorimer Moseley AO, presents modern pain science and care in a nutshell, focussing on four key pain insights.