6 insights to take into your SME wellbeing strategy with BROOK Recruitment
Talent recruitment and retention of employees. For a small-medium enterprise, these strategies are everyone’s business. We know that in the post-Covid world, employees are seeking more than an appealing financial package to pledge allegiance to a company. Wellbeing, flexibility and a work-life balance are high priorities. But how do you implement a wellbeing program that really, impactfuly lands?
Equilibrium sat down with BROOK Recruitment, a recruitment agency specialising in the property, finance and construction industries, to hear about their learnings for other small-medium businesses that are seeking to implement holistic wellbeing for their teams.
Make people your priority
“When people are the priority, everything else falls into place.” - Vanessa Fajnkind, founder and CEO of BROOK Recruitment.
Vanessa’s words have become the BROOK tagline, guiding motto and the thing that underpins everything they do. When you’re in the business of people, people have to come first. And this starts with understanding their needs. They get to know everyone, clients and talent alike, to build relationships and tailor solutions that truly resonate.
The team at BROOK go beyond matching skills on a resume. They holistically match aspirations, goals and personalities for both their clients and internal team; and create opportunities for people to feel their most empowered and well at work.
“When our people thrive, so do we. It's not just about external success, it's about creating an internal environment where everyone plays a vital role in our collective achievements.”
Fail fast, fail forward
“Having a one-size-fits all approach is where we, along with so many others, have gone wrong in the past when it comes to wellbeing.”
After some early learnings, BROOK have adapted a flexible approach to wellbeing. Recognising that each member of their team was unique in their needs, they now allow space for staff to access what works for them.
In 2023, they re-energised and re-focused their team by bringing them together in settings outside of the office, and created opportunities for them to experience wellbeing in a holistic way. Off-site office days, visits to spas on the Mornington Peninsula, lunchtime workouts, psychology workshops and extra annual leave days were all implemented.
“This ensured that there was something for everyone, and we could take a 360 approach to meet the needs and values of each person. We measured success from a holistic perspective rather than through KPIs and numbers.”
Burnout burns
“The post-COVID burnout was real. Dealing with employers and candidates on a daily basis, we saw this across the board, including internally at BROOK.”
The Wellness at Work 2022 report showed that 53% of Australian employees feel burnt out. And after two years of uncertainty, 2023 was filled with what BROOK called a ‘theme of exhaustion’. For employees deciding where to work, and continue to work, negotiations became about much more than money. The term ‘emotional salary’ was coined, and wellbeing became a much bigger priority.
Seeing challenges faced by other sectors, BROOK took action to safeguard their internal team. In the fast-paced environment of recruitment, employees answer to a number of internal and external stakeholders at any one time. This can contribute to stress and, ultimately, high turnover. To retain their talent, they implemented a dynamic wellbeing approach and committed to upskilling their people leaders.
“We’re all human, things come up. Leaders that allow space and show empathy build an environment of trust and happiness. Training our team to recognise the signs of burnout and stress, and how to manage this, has been key to building a supportive and empowering culture.”
Culture is king
“Hardworking, energetic, fast paced, warm, friendly, FUN and grounded in integrity. That’s how we’d sum up the culture we’ve built.”
The success of a wellbeing program is powered by the success of the culture that has been created. And over the years, BROOK have worked hard to build a team with shared vision and values. They note that companies they’ve seen thriving in culture building are highly focused on employee recognition and appreciation, corporate social responsibility commitments and giving back to people. Above all; hiring people who align with their individual values and vision.
“We’ve seen a large shift towards culture-fit based hiring in the last two years.”
82% of Australian employees are more productive when they feel happy and engaged at work (State of Work Report, 2023). So in 2024, BROOK kicked off the year with personal goal setting for their team, and have planned ongoing culture building and wellbeing focused activities in their calendar. Everything from Friday morning walks to bootcamp classes, signing up for team fun runs and taking mindful days away from the office are on their list.
“The businesses thriving in the culture space start with the basics. People need to be happy to do a good job.”
Success is measured by employee experience, not just numbers
“Don’t underestimate the power of word of mouth; employee experience should be a focus for business leaders.”
When it comes to talent retention, the employee experience matters. Perks, development, career progression and ultimately, wellbeing, all come into play. In a statistic from the EY 2023 Work Reimagined Survey, 35% of Australian employees are likely to quit their job in the next 12 months. So how can a holistic approach to what ‘being well’ means encourage employees to stick around?
Aside from internal promotion, developing your people and identifying their skills; creating opportunities to educate them on wellbeing digitally and physically has great impact.
“Positive employee experience has an impact on happiness and engagement at work. And a happier, more engaged workplace will see increased productivity, innovation, enthusiasm, ability to attract top talent and decreased turnover.”
Outsourcing can be your greatest resource
“When it comes to wellbeing, don’t try to go it alone. Go to the experts.”
63% of Australian employees are more loyal to companies that actively take measures to improve their wellbeing (Wellness at Work, 2022), so seeking expert solutions to help your team reach their potential is preventative for both talent retention and their holistic health.
As a service provider themselves, BROOK know that outsourcing can be your greatest resource. After seeing great results in the implementation of their holistic employee wellbeing approach they’re ready to take things to the next level.
“Employee wellbeing transforms their personal best into our greatest asset” says Vanessa. The mindset leading them to seek specialised knowledge and tools to increase productivity and performance.
By joining the Equilibrium Program, they’ll be accessing a digital education platform paired with practical sessions at EQ Melbourne that have been meticulously curated to be a preventative wellbeing solution.
With launch just weeks away, will your business be joining Equilibrium? Find out more about the Equilibrium Program and what it can do for your people by enquiring here or through the below form.