Go beyond simply asking, ‘R U OK?’

Australia’s annual R U OK? Day is a great reminder to check in with one’s staff, friends, and family about their holistic wellbeing. But bosses that genuinely care about their charges need to go further.

R U OK? is a suicide prevention charity and registered public health promotion that aims to inspire and empower people to meaningfully connect with friends, family and colleagues who might be struggling with life. Its annual National Day of Action this year falls on Thursday, 12 September, on which Australians nationwide are encouraged to ask others the question, “R U OK?”

The Day of Action is particularly pertinent, given Safe Work Australia’s reporting that there has been an almost 37 per cent increase in compensation claims for worker’s mental health since 2017–18.

Qualtrics principal behavioural scientist Dr Cecelia Herbert believes that team leaders and managers who genuinely care about their employees need to do more than simply tick the box of asking after an individual’s wellness. What they need to do, she submitted, is also ask, “How can we make it easier for you to be successful at work?”

“There’s been a redrafting of the psychological contract between employees and employers in recent years, and the traditional approaches to employee wellbeing are fast becoming outdated,” she said.

“Rather, employees are experiencing significant stress and change inside and outside of the workplace, so they want their bosses to understand what it’s like to do their job and the daily challenges and scenarios they face.”

This shift, Herbert continued, is because one of the greatest drivers of wellbeing at work is having efficient processes, and right now, many of the current systems are failing to keep pace with employee needs and expectations.

“The situation is compounded by broader uncertainty at work – including shifts in hybrid strategies, the adoption and impact of AI, and fears of redundancy – and ongoing cost-of-living challenges,” she said.

Herbert’s suggestions follow Qualtrics’ 2024 Employee Experience Trends findings, which highlighted that employees’ rating of their overall wellbeing at work has dropped to 67 per cent this year, down from 70 per cent last year and 83 per cent in 2022.

“One of the most impactful, sustainable, and inclusive workplace wellbeing programs employers can introduce is knowing how to make it easier for people to do their jobs,” Herbert said.

“This means meeting employees in the middle – as they adapt quickly to the modern realities of work, so should their employers and leaders.”

“Simple changes can clear the pathway for greater fulfilment, instead of jobs being the epicentre of increasing pressure and stress. And like it’s important to regularly ask, ‘R U OK?’, ‘How can we make it easier for you to be successful at work?’ is a question the best employers and bosses will continually ask and take action on.”

R U OK? itself also wants Australians to go beyond simply asking the question of others on a single day of the calendar year.

“Life happens every day. Our message to all those living in Australia is don’t wait; ask R U OK? any day because a meaningful conversation can change a life,” said R U OK? chief executive Katherine Newton.

“A lot can happen in a year, a month, or even a week. Whether it’s your friend, family member, colleague, partner, or teammate, the people you care about go through life’s ups and downs every day,” she said.

“By checking in regularly with the people close to you, you can help prevent small things from becoming big things.”