For a business to thrive, they need healthy and well supported employees. However, with the pressures of the pandemic and shifting work environments, many of us would have noticed a change in expectations around how the workplace supports and cares for employees. For many years – across private and public sectors – organisations have tried to put employees first, but as expectation for this increases, so do the challenges in implementing effective person-centred programs.

As the name suggests, a person-centred program, scheme or system places the employee at the core of the activity, and while it is a simple concept in theory, these kinds of programs can be hard to nail. In our work across large and complex personal injury, professional risk and public liability schemes, we have spent many an hour tailoring our model for person-centred schemes and seen first-hand the benefits this kind of approach can have on a public sector workforce. From office environments to more challenging schemes to support emergency service workers, we have seen numerous government agencies reap the rewards of putting their people first.

These are three key learnings that our team at Gallagher Bassett has built from years working with government agencies on how to refine and implement a people-first practice:

1. Prioritise improving partnerships – In our experience, taking the process back to the partnership between employer and employee is critical for employers seeking to transform services and outcomes in their business

2. Treat personnel personally – At the end of the day, we all want to be considered and cared for by our employer, but this requires clear communication and policies, and effective processes

3. Centralised data and governance program – While your person-centred scheme must prioritise your people, it is important to build strong connections with the relevant regulatory bodies for your industry

GB also has a Health and Wellbeing Hub that can help your organisation take a proactive and preventative approach to improving the health and wellbeing of your employees. This program includes both physical health and psychological screenings, as well as one-on-one wellness checks. Implementing our Health and Wellbeing Hub can help employers create a help-seeking work environment that combats stigma which is paramount as many people who struggle with mental health illnesses aren’t diagnosed or treated due to the stigma surrounding it. This program is also fully customisable and as such can be tailored to suit the unique needs of each individual workplace.

Gallagher Bassett takes pride in promoting a healthy work environment and we strongly encourage all employers to do the same. By taking a person-centred approach and opening the conversation about health and wellbeing, employees are far more likely to feel supported and able to perform their best at work; this results in a healthier business and workforce overall.  

If you’re interested in learning more about how a person-centered scheme can positively influence change in your organisation, please reach out to Emma Hosking, our Government specialist.

Emma commenced her career with ReturnToWork South Australia in 1993. Emma joined Gallagher Bassett in 2013 as GB’s Scheme Account Manager, South Australia, helping to lead GB’s successful South Australian start-up. Since then Emma has been involved in many large government transition projects, including leading the development of GB’s award-winning Northern Territory operation, as well as helping to establish GB’s government operations for Comcare, Norfolk Island, icare NSW, and the Tasmanian DPFEM. Emma was a keynote speaker at the 2021 PIEF Conference where she shared her experience and examined the importance of personalisation in contemporary government insurance schemes.