During a session at the Xchange Live stage this February at ISE, the audience was invited to listen to how AV was being used to drive wellness in the workplace. They might have been expecting to hear about the new technology being used to better employees’ environments. And while pro AV powered solutions were discussed, the larger takeaway was on the culture we are building within our industry that focuses on treating people with dignity, being inclusive, and being kind. 

The Goal of Wellness in the Workplace 

To know how we can promote wellness and create solutions, we need to start with the underlying goal, stated so well by Jessica Sanders, Sr. Distribution Development Manager at Absen, “We need to foster environments for all people to bring their whole selves to work every day. All people should feel like they belong.” 

With this in mind, here are some ideas that were mentioned using AV technologies that could assist towards the goal of creating a healthier, more productive workspace: 

• Using technology to facilitate calmness, ways to meditate, worship 

• Using soundscapes to promote positive mental health and productivity 

• Tailoring workplaces to adapt to a variety of different employee needs 

The ROI of Wellness in the Workplace 

Also talked about were recommendations on how an employee might approach their employer to ask for wellness accommodations. Chris Hope, Founder and Executive Director of The Loop Lab had a straightforward response, “Bring data.” The ROI of being able to reduce absenteeism and burnout can help business owners see the value of these types of investments. Oona Kapari, Founder, Recording and Mixing Engineer of Kuohu Records remarked that, “If you put 1 euro into wellness, you get 4 euros back.” 

Determining the best way to promote wellness will ultimately rely on getting to know the needs of your workforce and being open to a variety of solutions. “Avoid burnout, avoid people feeling like they need to mask,” was the advice of Kaz Pearman, Client Development of DCE Agency Ltd.  

As stated at the start, attendees might have arrived at this session curious about what aspects of wellness were being enhanced through new innovations. By the conclusion it was clear that humans, not technology, are the focus when it comes to wellness in the workplace and the value that is there when we embrace diversity. 

Speakers  

Oona Kapari, Founder, Recording and Mixing Engineer – Kuohu Records 

Kaz Pearman, Client Development – DCE Agency Ltd. 

Chris Hope, Founder and Executive Director – The Loop Lab 

Jessica Sanders, Sr. Distribution Development Manager – Absen