In an exceptionally healthy workplace  in the 90′s,  an on-site gym, cleaner organic food in the company cafeteria, and the occasional chair massage might have been the norm. These days, since workers are more concerned with keeping their jobs than putting on a few extra pounds, it’s a different story. One could argue it ‘s just as important to feel good – as to look good – mentally and physically.

Progressive companies, fully aware of our 24/7 stressful work environment, understand burnout is not sustainable for workers or their careers. In fact, some have found that Employee Assistance Programs that support policies such as flexible working arrangements, skills training, leadership development and programs that promote healthy lifestyle and behavior choices – will lead to more productive and mentally healthier talent. 

This week the American Psychological Association honored five companies for “their comprehensive efforts to promote employee health and well-being while enhancing organizational performance.”

According to the American Psychological Association, psychologically healthy workplace practices fall into five categories: employee involvement; health and safety; employee growth and development; work-life balance and employee recognition. Chosen for the APA’s 2009 Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award:

1. W R Systems, Ltd. – Engineering Services Division (Virginia), 
2. Replacements, Ltd. (North Carolina), 
3. Teledyne Brown Engineering – Huntsville Headquarters (Alabama), 
4. WorldatWork (Arizona) 
5. Sandia Preparatory School (New Mexico)

These companies were not targeted for their feel-good approach to mental health, but instead on the return on investment. When big business can look at the numbers or concretely understand the philosophy behind what makes these companies tick, it makes for a better case to keep funneling money toward EPA’s.

Let’s deconstruct:

1. These 5 organizations reported an average turnover rate of just 11% in 2008, compared to the national average of 39% (Dept. of Labor)
2. Employee surveys from these companies showed 25 % experienced chronic work stress, compared to 39% nationally.
3. 85% of employees reported being satisfied with their jobs, compared to only 61% nationally.

Efforts to promote employee well-being cannot simply fall under the auspices of physical health. You can’t measure how happy someone is, or their mental stability, by taking their blood. If you’re going to do that, you may as well test for cholesterol. It’s a better indicator of an impending stress attack from burnout.

Just a few days ago I posted on 100 Ways to Personally Conquer Chaos at Work. Part of the formula is to cultivate a sense of peace or happiness within. It’s something that for some comes easily, for others, it might require some effort according to bestselling author Marci Shimoff.

In her new book Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out, she contends happiness is something that is about 50% genetic and 50% learned. Ok. So we all have a shot to make it happen. I’ve long been a proponent of meditation and exercise to calm the soul, but Marci offers some great tips and even some science that just might convince you there are other ways to achieve a happier you.

After interviewing 100 happy people and a dive into the science of happiness Marci shares there are some specific steps to change what she refers to as your “happiness set-point.”

Marci will be presenting on this topic at the Women That Win conference in Boca Raton on January 11th, 2008. I’ll be joining her there offering a workshop on WorkLife Balance in a 24/7 World.

In this WorkLife Monitor Podcast, Marci gives us a quick overview of her ideas around happiness at work. Check out other WorkLife Monitor Podcasts at JudyMartinSpeaks.com.

The WorkLife Monitor Podcast with Marci Shimoff.

The global marketplace traditionally puts profits and productivity ahead of the human condition in the workplace. But that model is shifting according to many business leaders like J.Robert Ouimet, (see here to the left) Chairman of O.C.B. Holding in Montreal, Canada.Ouimet was one of the presenters at the 2007 International Spirit at Work Conference.

He was among corporate brass, non-profit leaders and entrepreneurs who shared their views on new benchmarks in measuring success, and the transformative practices which are, some say, creating more enlightened organizations.

In this WorkLife Monitor podcast (click below) you’ll hear from Ouimet and some of the pioneers in this movement, fostering human values and spirituality in the workplace.

Expressing Human Values and Spirituality in the Workplace

You can learn more about the pioneers who appeared in the podcast at the following links:

Dr. J-Robert Ouimet: Spirituality in Management Reconciles Human Well-Being -Productivity – Profits

Patricia Aburdene: Megatrends 2010: The Rise of Conscious Capitalism

Daryl Connor: Managing at the Speed of Change

Tricia Molloy: Divine Wisdom at Work: 10 Universal Principles for Enlightened Entrepreneurs

To listen to more WorkLife Monitor Podcast episodes including an interview with Judi Neal,  Co-Founder of the International Center for Spirit at Work, head to Judy Martin speaks.com

Thousands descended upon New York City last weekend for Book Expo America. A sea of authors, publishers, agents and some unusual characters were perusing the isles among the literary set. I’m seeing an uptick in how work life concerns are being addressed in the world of publishing, and the topic is not just among the self-help gurus. In the next few weeks, I’m hoping to bring you more of those titles and authors in podcasts and in the Work/Life Minute.

One of the highlights in my quest for new voices came when I stumbled upon John St. Augustine, (not really a new voice, he’s been around for years). He penned Living an Uncommon Life: Essential Lessons From 21 Extraordinary People. It’s not your typical anthology, it’s got a lot of heart and it certainly doesn’t hurt to have the voices of Oprah, Rhonda Britten, and Dr. Wayne Dyer. Still, it’s not the heavy hitters themselves that impressed me – but what they had to say – one human to another. I actually found myself reading this and getting absorbed. He’s funny with a dose of faith, and writes with the richness of old-school radio.

As a nationally known talk radio host, and a Senior Producer for the Oprah and Friends Channel on XM Satellite Radio, St.Augustine has a skill for getting to the soul of people, and drawing out the best in them.

The Work/Life Monitor Podcast with John St.Augustine.

The Work/Life Minute with John St. Augustine.

What I liked most about St.Augustine is his blind faith in the universe, the magic of embracing life with all its pitfalls and beauty. He’s got a personal story that’ll knock your socks off, tear at the heartstrings and still make ya feel like you had a cup of hot chocolate. And with that I want to share the passage that was mentioned before Oprah’s story: Follow the Yellow Brick Road.

Whether we name divine presence synchronicity, serendipity, or graced moment matters little. What matters is the reality that our hearts have been understood. Nothing is as real as a healthy dose of magic which restores our spirits. — Nancy Long

Boy – I’m a mush today.

It’s rare when you link up with someone who really groks life the way you do with regard to working and living with passion. Best selling author Karen Salmansohn is in my pipeline of passionate people who are on the front lines of helping people live more meaningful and purposeful lives.

Her book, “Be Happy, Damm it!”  offers some witty responses to life’s chaotic episodes. Since “conquering chaos” while being effective in business is my passion, her work really sings to me. She recently invited me, along with Miriam Novalle, proprietor of New York City’s T-Salon, to chat in about my lecture series, Practical Chaos, which exalts “chaos” as the fuel to transform our lives. You can get more information on Practical Chaos, at my Judy Martin Speaks website and on my blog which examines work/life integration, at The Chaos Monitor.

Catch Karen, on Lime Radio: Healthy Living with a Twist – Sirius Satellite Channel 114 at 8am, Monday through Friday. Here’s a 7 minute snippet of our interview together. It’s a funny interaction among three women living on the edge of chaos. I really enjoyed!

Women-owned firms account for more than 40% of all businesses in the United States, according to the Center for Women’s Business Research. There are many non-profit organizations which help women enter the ownership arena, but one particular for-profit has caught my eye. It’s especially designed to help women better embrace the concept of business ownership, while staying true to who they are as human beings and in many cases – caregivers. What first appears as a daunting task, can actually be one of creativity and passion, while demonstrating success and profitability.

Ladies Who Launch is an interactive program, website and networking organization designed to help women achieve their dream of entrepreneurial success, without giving up the lifestyle that best suites them. It brings together successful women, with those who aspire to be business owners. The result is a program which helps women pinpoint their vision, and then gives them the tools, wisdom and support to make it happen. Beyond the execution of entering into the world of entrepreneurship, is the reality that we live in a time where the boundaries between work and life have grown seemingly thin. This group addresses the need for work/life balance or integration in a time of a 24/7 marketplace.

I’ve been checking out their site and programs since late last year and recently went to one of their events. The camaraderie was refreshing. Several successful business women were answering the questions of those who were right out of the gate into the world of business ownership. It was a level of interaction above the norm of networking. In this Work/Life Monitor Podcast, you’ll hear from Beth Schoenfeldt – a co-founder of Ladies Who Launch. The book Ladies Who Launch: Embracing Entrepreneurship & Creativity as a Lifestyle is in bookstores May 1st.

Listen to The Work/Life Monitor, 7 minute podcast, with Beth Schoenfeldt of Ladies Who Launch: