This month we were proud to host an evening seminar dedicated to the topic of health and well-being in the workplace.
Since Ei’s inception, supporting our employees has been at the heart of operations. With a thriving sports and social club, healthcare, onsite nurse, annual company events, countless employee development courses and upskilling options; these are just some part of what has made Ei a great place to work throughout the years. The event took pride of place in our COE, welcoming companies from across the region.
Organised by Shannon Chamber, in conjunction with Employability Clare, the event included a keynote address by accomplished author and medical doctor, Dr Harry Barry, an experienced commentator on mental health. The purpose of the evening was aimed to encourage employers and employees in the region to put health and well-being centre stage when implementing corporate policies and procedures.
The job Ei employees do day-to-day protects lives all over the world from the dangers of fire & CO. I’m proud to say that even with over 700 staff now in Shannon, we have successfully retained an inclusive culture that is family oriented and allows the team to thrive both inside and outside of work.” – Ei Electronics CEO Mick Guinee
Photograph by Eamon Ward
Explaining the rationale for an event of this nature, Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes stated: “In the fast-paced environment of work today, technology is making us all ever-available for work. As we live with this constant pressure to be always switched-on to work, quality time out is becoming more a luxury rather than a necessity. When you add in the everyday stressors of work, such as over-demanding work schedules, lack of on-the-job support, blurred roles and responsibilities and aversion to or inability to handling change, the result can often be an inordinate build-up of anxiety and stress. An event of this nature helps to bring us all back to basics and assess how each of us can work to reduce the stress levels in our lives.”
The seminar, drew a large audience who listened attentively as both Dr Barry, Helen McQuillan from Employability Clare and the director of Mental Health Services HSE for Clare, Limerick and Tipperary , Dr Deirdre Smithwick, outlined the many warning signs of stress and the supports available, through the HSE in the Mid-West, to help people of all ages through difficult periods in their lives. Mike O’Riordan, IT & Supply Chain manager with Reagecon Diagnostics also outlined the comprehensive health and well-being programme the company has introduced for staff.
Advising attendees to look out for the warning signs of stress in themselves, their work colleagues, family and friends and, accepting that there may be a problem, Dr Barry suggested to attended that they explore the importance of making lifestyle changes and to seek training in emotional resilience, if warranted.
Encouraging the audience to develop their resilience skills actively, Dr Barry suggested as a first instance that they adopt a healthy life priority list which should include in ranked order: self; relationship; children; wider family; work and, lastly, interests such as hobbies, social media etc.
“The classical error of putting everyone else first, instead of self, increases our chances of developing toxic stress,” he stated.
Commenting on the value of an event of this nature for Chamber members and the wider public, Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes stated: “This seminar presented an amazing insight into mental health and wellbeing and how we can, individually, counteract the stressors that we allow into our lives.”
Ei were delighted to assist Shannon Chamber, Employability Clare and the Community Mental Health team in Shannon in bringing this very important conversation to the fore, as well the wide array of supports that are available in the region.