FlexReady in Focus Bushfires, mental health and workplace flexibility

FlexReady in Focus Bushfires, mental health and workplace flexibility How to support your employees with flexibility through times of crisis. Australia’s ongoing bushfire crisis is proving to be a time of high anxiety for millions of people across the country. Even those who may not have been directly impacted have been left overwhelmed by the unprecedented scale of the fires, the lives lost and the devastating impact this bushfire season continues to have on local communities, our precious wildlife and wider environment in general. Many people who volunteered, or who live or were holidaying in bushfire affected areas are now returning to work. And many employers are having to acknowledge the mental stress and anxiety such traumatic experiences can cause, and adapt their flexible working policies accordingly to assist employees through the necessary healing process. According to FlexReady consultant and wellness expert Rebecca Sebastian from Juggle Strategies, the first step for managers is to accept everyone communicates experiences of trauma differently. “Employers need to check in with employees who might be struggling so they know they are not alone as some individuals will be searching for a real connection with those around them in times like this. It’s therefore important to ask the individual how they want to be supported and communicated with over the coming weeks, months and even years,” Rebecca says. Flexibility tailored to the individual Given this crisis is unprecedented, Australia’s response from an HR perspective is also moving into unchartered territory. A number of leading employers have issued updated volunteer and bushfire response policies. And some are even going one step further and implementing general climate emergency flexibility policies in anticipation of further crises to come. “In general, however, the majority of employers are simply being compassionate. We’re seeing a real push to offer unlimited flexible workplace policies to those who need it. Where an individual’s request for flexibility goes beyond the normal parameters of existing guidelines, there’s an openness to engage with relevant stakeholders, on a case by case basis, to be creative and to make sure the right policy is in place to support mental recovery and wellbeing,” she says. Essentially, the right flexibility framework will enable the right response for every individual. It is then a case of assessing each individual’s needs and tailoring flexibility around working hours and locations. “Allow employees who are struggling to take each day as it comes, come in late or leave early or work from home if possible. Give them the time they need to attend counselling sessions. Provide additional paid leave to those who need time to go and assist family in affected areas with clearing and rebuilding over a period of many months. All of these approaches will go a long way to improving mental wellbeing,” she says. The impact on mental health from experiencing a crisis such as this can be long term with the onset of serious problems such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The national response has been incredible and the focus on the crisis is huge right now. But this will begin to fade. Individuals who have been directly affected or have volunteered may struggle for a number of years and need to know they have their employer’s support over this time period as well. Mental health and flexibility: in summary Provide flexible working locations and hours for all employees affected by bushfires and also hazardous air quality Offer unlimited paid leave for employees and / or with family directly affected Increase volunteer leave for any employee volunteering to support the current crisis Allow employees to have flexibility for counseling as required Provide ongoing acknowledgement and flexible support for the long term The Department of Human Services is offering free counselling and additional mental health support for individuals, families and emergency services workers affected by the bushfires. Find out how you and your employees can access these services here: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/subjects/how-get-mental-health-support Beyond Blue has also issued a helpful guide to help assess levels of anxiety and trauma experienced during the bushfire crisis: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/bushfires-and-mental-health/ Helplines Lifeline on 13  11  14 Beyond Blue on 1300  224  636 Kids Helpline on 1800  55  1800 If you would like to discuss how best to adapt your flexible working framework to the needs of your employees during the current bushfire crisis, please get in touch and we will be happy to assist. You can contact FlexReady consultant Rebecca Sebastian directly.

What happened when I listened to some unwanted advice

What happened when I tuned in to some undesirable counsel What happened when I tuned in to some undesirable guidance Not long ago, I was doing my ordinary morning swim. I don't generally swim in the quick path since I'm certainly not the best swimmer out there. Be that as it may, I did today since it was the emptiest path and on the grounds that I wanted to propel myself a bit.Another fellow was likewise in the fast track, somebody who appeared to be in his mid-60s. He was unmistakably a quicker swimmer. After we had both been swimming for around 10 minutes, he had just lapped me twice.As I was resting toward one side of the pool, attempting to regain some composure between laps, he swam up to me and halted to likewise get his and offer a touch of spontaneous counsel with me.You should attempt to put your head down into the water! he said to me boisterously as he stopped.Huh?! I answered, between my substantial breaths.When your head's outta the water that way, it's easing back you down! He at that point impersonated my stroke noticeable all around, giving his best impression of my strategy or defi ciency in that department. Simply gaze down into the water! You'll speed up on the off chance that you put your head in the water! He then demonstrated.I immediately answered, I'm not here to go quick. Then immediately got some distance from him and diverted my look down toward the opposite finish of the pool.He at that point saw I was scouring my neck and persevered. Likewise, you won't have an irritated neck since you won't be swinging your head to side-to-side like you are correct now!My neck HAD really been feeling sore. Yet, trying to shut down this discussion, I immediately moved in the direction of him, hurled my guards, and snapped, That is not why my neck is sore! at that point got some distance from him.My starting nature was to excuse him. All things considered, I didn't require irregular person who was twice my age evaluating my swimming style. I was there for a snappy swim, not to consummate my stroke or make it to the Olympics.But I knew precisely what he was alluding to. At the point when I swim, I try to keep my head above water. As far back as I can remember, I've been terrified of water. I never enjoyed swimming. The greater part of recollections I have from my folks sending me to swimming exercises when I was youthful include me panting for air, gulping loads of water, disliking the sting of water on my eyes. In addition, I'm partially blind, so when I'm swimming without my glasses, I'm in this foggy chasm of disarray where I have squint just to see where I'm going.I attempted to take up swimming exercises again when I lived in Hawaii, yet I didn't beat that. My teacher even revealed to me I'm, where the structure of my body is with the end goal that my legs normally sink rather than coast like most people's. She disclosed to me that she had run into a couple of individuals like that, yet it wasn't extremely common.There's consistently space for improvementWhen I moved to the UK seven years prior, I quit playing tennis, so needed to locate a nother vigorous action to do. I settled on swimming since I immediately became exhausted of running, and furthermore, as a method of vanquishing my feelings of trepidation, and testing myself. Something about doing the genuine action that terrified me was appealing.Since at that point, I've gained a great deal of ground. I went from scarcely having the option to swim from one finish of an Olympic measured pool to the next to having the option to swim different laps ceaselessly. Furthermore, it's currently the activity I accomplish more than some other exercise. At the point when I swam with my significant other two or three weeks prior, who's a serious quick swimmer herself, she disclosed to me that she saw I've gotten a ton faster.But one thing I despite everything couldn't get myself to do was put my face down into the water. I understand that sounds senseless, yet I'd preferably flail uncontrollably in the pool over hazard gulping water. I realize it eases back me down, yet simpl y swimming without suffocating was a piece step for me, and I felt my procedure was sufficient to carry out the responsibility. All things considered, I had been feeling truly acceptable about my advancement. Until I ran into this arbitrary person who demanded sharing some spontaneous guidance I didn't ask for.Unwanted exhortation isn't in every case simple to receiveAs we both remained there one next to the other after our speedy trade, breathing vigorously with our hands on our hips, gazing down at the opposite finish of the pool, I had a glimmer back to a discussion I'd quite recently had the week earlier. A companion of mine revealed to me an associate of hers had offered her recommendation about something she was experiencing, despite the fact that she didn't request that individual's recommendation. She proceeded to tell me how much getting spontaneous guidance bothered her. About how she abhors it when individuals offer her guidance she doesn't request. About how spontaneous guidance is much all the more irritating when it originates from somebody you don't have the foggiest idea, regard, or share anything practically speaking anyway.In a few different ways, I saw her point. Everybody's circumstance is extraordinary, and exhortation, from numerous points of view, is tied in with taking your own encounters and attempting to apply them to another circumstance with the assumption that A) that what worked for you will work for them, and B) that the circumstances are comparable enough to where the counsel you're offering is significant. As a mentor, I do whatever it takes not to offer guidance except if I'm requested it unequivocally for this very reason.Still, I attempted to persuade her that there can really be an incentive in tolerating the exhortation individuals offer. I revealed to her that occasionally, individuals might have the option to spot something you can't spot yourself. That possibly an alternate point of view could help make you fully aware of something new. That at least considering someone's recommendation may profit you in some little manner. Indeed, I'd profited a ton from individuals way more experienced than I who accepted an opportunity to impart some counsel to me.She appeared unconvinced.What happened when I let my gatekeeper downAs that discussion skiped around in my mind at that point, I felt somewhat like a wolf in sheep's clothing. Here I was stating how you should take on guidance, yet I wasn't happy to do it without anyone's help? I chose to let my gatekeeper down a piece and hear what this person needed to state. All things considered, my swimming method WAS something I'd battled with for decades.I thought back over at him. You know, I'm not the best swimmer. I don't put my face down when I swim since I can't make sense of the breathing.Ohh, well, try to ensure you breath out totally when your head's down BEFORE you turn your head to get some air. In case you're despite everything breathing out while yo ur head's turned AND attempting to inhale it, that won't work.Yeah, that bodes well, however I despite everything have this issue where when I go my head to get air, I'm apprehensive about gulping water.He squinted his eyes and gave me an interesting look. You should simply ensure you turn totally as you haul your arm out of the water. It's less about turning your head, and progressively about letting it turn normally as you haul your arm out of the water. He then demonstrated.Yeah, however … I began to rebut.He interfered, Simply practice it gradually. Get the method down, at that point when you get settled with it, you can speed up. Try not to slaughter yourself attempting to go quick and practice your technique.Well, I'm additionally attempting to stay aware of you. I kidded. You know, I don't wanna moderate you down!He went onto reveal to me that he doesn't regularly swim in the fast track himself. That he generally leaves that path at whatever point somebody quicker goes alo ng on the grounds that it's an excess of pressure.With that, he set his goggles back on, and before he pushed off to continue swimming, he stated, In any case, attempt it on the off potential for success that you want.I had there, contemplating what he just stated, and chose to give it a shot without even a moment's pause. Strangely, simply remembering those two things: breathing out totally and permitting my head to turn normally with my body, I was out of nowhere swimming with my face down in the water and breathing simply fine.Everything changed, much the same as thatNow for those of you out there who are common swimmers, you may not think this is a serious deal. That I'm making a ton of show around a truly basic piece of swimming. In any case, for me, somebody who's battled with swimming for as far back as 35 years, I was unable to accept how this short discussion out of nowhere helped me get over this psychological hindrance I'd held for as long as I can remember. For me, havin g the option to swim effectively was a game-changer.By being progressively flat in the water, I swam all the more rapidly, promptly shaving 5 seconds off the time it takes me to swim a pool length. I swam all the more proficiently, making it down the length of the pool in 24 strokes rather than 36. I likewise swam longer before requiring a break.Now that I'm doing this, I'll never return to my old method of swimming. Of course, I gulp gulped a touch of water today when I attempted it once more, yet I'm going to continue chipping away at it.I surmise this is the thing that individuals call a workable second. A second when you permit yourself to be instructed, when you free yourself up to gain proficiency with some important lessons.In this case, my underlying impulse was in accordance with my friend's. To dismiss spontaneous guidance. I can't even completely clarify why. Yet, it's a mix of pride, needing individuals to stay out of other people's affairs, and maybe a touch of self-imp ortance about not requiring criticism. In any case, I took in a couple lessons:Lesson #1: You improve when you permit yourself to be critiquedMy introductory nature was that I didn't have to show signs of improvement. That my swimming strategy was sufficient, so I wasn't searching for counsel on the most proficient method to improve. However, when I freed myself up to investigate, and when I allowed myself to straightforwardly share what was impeding me, it really helped me improve.Lesson #2: Game-changing exhortation can emerge out of anyoneI've had such a significant number of swimming teachers before â€" nobody has had the option to assist me with splitting this issue. At that point, out of nowhere, at some point, an arbitrary person wound up clarifying this such that just clicked with me. All I think about this person is that his name is John. I may or may never observe him again.Lesson #3: Putting your pride aside

How to Write a Good Personal Statement for Job Application - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

The most effective method to Write a Good Personal Statement for Job Application Numerous up-and-comers discover composing an individual articulation hard. Bosses frequently request an individual articulation since they need more understanding into what your identity is and why they should recruit you. An individual articulation allows you to feature anything in your experience that is useful for the business to know yet not quickly clear from taking a gander at your CV. Here are a couple of tips on the most proficient method to compose a decent close to home articulation: Stage 1 Consider your crowd what their identity is and what they may be searching for. Audit the organization's vision, read about their way of life and tailor your answers as needs be. Stage 2 Record a rundown of accomplishments and clarify for what reason they'd advantage this specific boss. Get clear on the abilities you have â€" both employment related aptitudes like involvement with a specific territory or propelled information on a specific PC program, yet in addition delicate aptitudes like relational abilities. Stage 3 Consider why you need the activity. What in your life has been one of a kind and has set you up for this activity? In the event that you've had any expert or volunteer understanding, which is especially pertinent to this activity, notice it. Stage 4 Answer any inquiries the business pose to you to address in your own announcement. Ensure your answers are explicit â€" notice numbers and explicit outcomes. Stage 5 Begin composing the primary draft of your own announcement and consolidate the accomplishments you have recognized, your vocation objectives and your responses to the businesses questions. Ensure each passage centers around one point and is upheld by supporting proof. Stage 6 Reconsider your own announcement. Request that somebody alter it and give input. Examine the paper to ensure it is anything but difficult to peruse and comprehend. It is additionally significant you keep it applicable. Anything you state on your own announcement ought to be fit to the activity you're applying for. Maintain a strategic distance from adages too â€" don't state you're a cooperative person except if you can give explicit models. Expectation youve found these tips helpful. On the off chance that you need individual articulation help, click here.

New Questions About Writing an Effective Resume and Application Letter Answered and Why You Must Read Every Word of This Report

<h1> New Questions About Writing an Effective Resume and Application Letter Answered and Why You Must Read Every Word of This Report</h1> <p>Update your resume routinely It is a fantastic idea to refresh your resume on a typical premise. Sending work application is critical for handling a work meet. </p> <h2>What Does Writing an Effective Resume and Application Letter Mean? </h2> <p>Whether it's important to produce a paper of unique perfection, simply buy an article here and our authors will give assistance. Resume composing can appear as though a scary activity, however it's really less complex than you accept. Begin composing your resume by building up a rundown of your achievements in each and every activity which you have held. Strangely, continue composing isn't an ability that is ordinarily instructed in school so once you're set up to begin attempting to get a new line of work, you're left to fight for yourself. </p> <p>Re sumes are commonly utilized by bosses and entrance advisory boards who need to get familiar with a particular competitor. You may require a couple of particular resumes dependent on the sorts of occupations in which you're intrigued. Simple to-peruse resumes become perused. </p> <p>Don't overlook, you're not making a copy of your CV. You will likewise discover insights regarding when to utilize novel letters. At the point when it is incorporated, consider the accompanying to assist you with overcoming the application and meeting approach. Additionally, there are different systems to arrange your resume, in view of your work history and experience. </p>