wellbeing in air traffic control (atc)
DESCRIPTION
Symbolic fountains of wellbeing represent the provisions that help an employee increase her happiness. Do we have fountains of wellbeing in ATC? Do we need them? (Music courtesy freemusic.com; technical advice courtesy Marlon John)TRANSCRIPT
Created by Paula Rachel MARK (MPHIL (Hons))
TTATCA
IFATCA Conference, Bali 2013
RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF
WELLBEING
Hi
Before starting, I apologize for not being here.
But my heart is most present.
I look forward to meeting with some of you at the regional
meetings.
Now for the presentation.
It will be shown in 2 parts. This is Part I. Please enjoy the feature:
WELLBEING IN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
How can we explain it in the context of ATC?
How important is it?
Is there an ANSP that practices at least 1 aspect of workplace
wellbeing?
How has this ANSP benefited?
Where is this experience documented for the benefit of other
ANSPs?
DEFINING WELLBEING
Do we have a working definition of wellbeing that is applicable to
our domain?
Where can we find this definition?
The word wellbeing -
is associated with synonyms like happiness and welfare.
Wellbeing is a holistic concept.
It is not very easy to define
It is a complex construct that has evolved over the years.
Today
In this room
We associate wellbeing with a symbolic fountain.
It represents the provision of several factors,
to help employees find a work-life balance.
Employees who find a work-life balance,
experience increased states of happiness.
Just as how thermal springs and legendary fountains have
revitalizing capabilities
symbolic fountains of
wellbeing help employees
improve their individual
welfare
THE IMPORTANCE OF WELLBEING
How important is wellbeing to you?
Do you agree that our ANSPs have an organizational commitment
to the wellbeing of ATCOs?
The concept of wellbeing means different things to different
organizations.
The only similarity is the aim –
to increase the happiness or welfare of the worker
Happy workers produce more.
What do we produce in the ATC industry?
Should we really dispel the notion of wellbeing in our workspaces?
Our theme for this year’s conference:
Satisfied Controller = Safe Sky
It indicates that workplace wellbeing is beginning to provoke our
thoughts.
If an ATCO is satisfied,
her wellbeing improves.
If her wellbeing improves,
her level of safety performance will also improve.
This is a fresh dimension to the concept of wellbeing.
In 2006, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
(CIPD) conducted a national study on employee wellbeing across
the UK.
They found that an
inverse relationship
existed between
employee wellbeing
and absenteeism
They also found a link
between low levels of
employee wellbeing
and increased mental
health problems.
STRESS
Benefit claims and the
cost of work-related
stress had been taking
huge chunks of the
nation’s GDP –
approximately £3.8
billion per annum.
We need to conduct similar studies,
if we want to know more about the importance of wellbeing to ATC.
What are our trends in absenteeism?
Do we know
how many ATCOs
suffer from chronic, psychosomatic, stress-related disorders
including fatigue?
What is the cost
of our yearly benefit and insurance claims
for each ANSP,
each region,
and globally as an organization?
But you may be thinking that:-
/ it is each ATCO’s responsibility to care for personal welfare;
/ as long as ATCOs have excellent wages, they will be happy;
/ your ANSP does not need a fountain of wellbeing because it has
ultra-modern facilities and many managers
Those thoughts are misconceptions -
as the following anecdote shows:
THE CASE OF THE DISSATISFIED EMPLOYEE
In 2010, the Versailles Court
of Appeal, France ruled that an
employee had been driven to
commit suicide due to
dissatisfaction with certain
working conditions.
THE CASE OF THE DISSATISFIED EMPLOYEE
In 2010, the Versailles Court
of Appeal, France ruled that an
employee had been driven to
commit suicide due to
dissatisfaction with certain
working conditions.
The Court further ruled that
the employee had developed
anxiety-related depression due
to his dissatisfaction.
THE CASE OF THE DISSATISFIED EMPLOYEE
In 2010, the Versailles Court of Appeal, France ruled that an employee had been driven to commit suicide due to dissatisfaction with certain working conditions.
The Court further ruled that the employee had developed anxiety-related depression.
He worked at one of Renault’s Technocenters and had fallen from a third story passerelle in 2006.
THE CASE OF THE DISSATISFIED EMPLOYEE
In 2010, the Versailles Court of Appeal, France ruled that an employee had been driven to commit suicide due to dissatisfaction with certain working conditions.
The Court further ruled that the employee had developed anxiety-related depression.
He worked at one of Renault’s Technocenters and had fallen from a third story passerelle in 2006.
Contrary to a report by the
Technocenter’s psychologist,
his wife explained that he
loved his job to the extent that
he did not want to leave, even
though he was unhappy about
some aspects of the job.
THE CASE OF THE DISSATISFIED EMPLOYEE
In 2010, the Versailles Court of Appeal, France ruled that an employee had been driven to commit suicide due to dissatisfaction with certain working conditions.
The Court further ruled that the employee had developed anxiety-related depression.
He worked at one of Renault’s Technocenters and had fallen from a third story passerelle in 2006.
Contrary to a report by the branch’s psychologist, his wife explained that he loved his job to the extent that he did not want to leave, even though he was unhappy about some aspects of the job.
A team of analysts from the Center for poor workplace wellbeing, conducted a series of investigations.
THE CASE OF THE DISSATISFIED EMPLOYEE
Several managers failed the
psychometric tests.
THE CASE OF THE DISSATISFIED EMPLOYEE
Several managers failed the
psychometric tests.
They were unsuitable for their
prescribed roles.
THE CASE OF THE DISSATISFIED EMPLOYEE
Several managers failed the
psychometric tests.
They were thus deemed
unsuitable for their prescribed
roles.
The investigators also
discovered that the union-
management relationship was
poor.
THE CASE OF THE DISSATISFIED EMPLOYEE
Several managers failed the
psychometric tests.
They were unsuitable for their
prescribed roles.
The investigators also
discovered that the union-
management relationship was
poor.
The employees were stressed-
out because of rigid
unreasonable deadlines and
cost-cutting measures.
THE CASE OF THE DISSATISFIED EMPLOYEE
Several managers failed the
psychometric tests.
This implied that they were
unsuitable for their prescribed
roles.
The investigators also
discovered that the union-
management relationship was
poor.
The employees were stressed-out because of unreasonable deadlines and cost-cutting measures.
Yet, this branch boasted of the latest strategy of reduced work hours, increased local HR management, open forum, better work organization and stress management training in addition to a psychologist that employees can confidentially and freely consult with.
THE CASE OF THE DISSATISFIED EMPLOYEE
Imagine that in each ANSP
there is at least 1 dissatisfied ATCO
These ATCOs love doing ATC
but yet,
they are dissatisfied with certain working conditions.
How many ANSPs are there worldwide?
How do we deal with situations like these?
Do we really know what makes an ATCO feel satisfied at work?
Did you deduce from the anecdote, who is responsible for an
ATCO’s wellbeing?
It is the primary responsibility of management to work on improving
the wellbeing of ATCOs.
ATCOs with improved wellbeing will increase their safety
performance
Inspite of not having a universal working definition of wellbeing in
ATC,
can ANSPs still evaluate the potential benefits from implementing
wellbeing policies?
What measures can be taken to improve wellbeing in ATC?
What are some challenges to implementing wellbeing policies?
We will discuss these questions and the findings of a study in Part
II of this presentation.
Please follow the link below to access an e-version of the slides,
an interactive handout,
to provide feedback about the presentation
and to ask questions.
http://rachelp0504.blogspot.fr/
Thank you for your time
and attention.
Do enjoy the rest of the conference and your stay in Bali.
Warm regards,
Paula Rachel MARK.