Mindfulness in the workplace
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/SHR-11-2017-0077 |
| Date | 09 April 2018 |
| Published date | 09 April 2018 |
| Pages | 76-80 |
| Author | David S. Karlin |
| Subject Matter | HR & organizational behaviour,Employee behaviour |
Mindfulness in the workplace
David S. Karlin
Abstract
Purpose –This study aims to explorehow a New Jersey-based, national visioninsurance company and
a Pennsylvaniapharmacy benefits manager have incorporatedmindfulness into the workplace. National
Vision Administrators(NVA) and BeneCard PBF offer mindfulness to all employees,which has markedly
improvedproductivity and morale, created empathyand stronger teamwork. The practice of mindfulness
has been known to enhance results, decision-making skills and empower individuals to thrive under
pressureboth inside and out of the workplace.
Design/methodology/approach –To evaluate the benefit of a daily or weekly mindfulness practice,
NVA tapped Free Form Minds,a training consultancy specializing in mindfulness,to conduct a series of
group trainings and one-on-one sessions. To ensure optimal success and results, Fee Form Minds
customizedits programs for the companies and individualsthey worked with.
Findings –The findings show team members have reported feeling more energized, with increased
levels of concentration and decreased tendency of procrastination. Practicing employees found
themselvesregularly surpassing their goalswhile also allowing them to be more present with their families
and less stressedat home.
Originality/value –The practice of mindfulness can help employees reduce stress and be more
effectiveand focused. When utilizing this tool, ongoing,they are more likely to capitalize on theirstrengths
and better handle stress. Incorporating the practice of mindfulness into NVA and BeneCard PBF has
created a greater senseof community among employees leading to a more cohesive andhappier work
environment. Mindfulness has allowed individualsto be more focused, less impacted by stressors and
improveboth their professional and personal lives.
Keywords Human resource management, Employee engagement,Morale, Employee benefits,
Health benefits, Company culture
Paper type Case study
Our companies, National Vision Administrators (NVA), BeneCard Services and
BeneCard PBF, utilize “mindfulness” to enhance our ability to sell our products, to
be more effective in decision-making and execution and to make it easier for our
people to thrive in a fast-paced environment. We also wanted to make a conscious
investment in our people that would help them at –and away from –work; one that would
offer lasting impact.
We were drawn to mindfulness because we knew it was backed up empirically. The
research behind mindfulness practice in both the scientific and business literature is now
voluminous and very persuasive. Mindfulness works. We wanted to give our people the
chance to enhance both their business and personallives, and we felt that mindfulness had
the ability to do both.
The mindfulness initiative at NVA is company-wide and egalitarian; everyone can
participate. Regardless of your level in the corporate structure, you sit in the same room
as the management team and the president. That by itself has a great effect on morale
and a sense that we are all in this together. The program has also helped us better
understand how each individual uniquely contributes to the organization and how we
can more skillfully integrate those unique capabilities into our company through the
practice of mindfulness.
David S. Karlin is based at
National Vision
Administrators, Clifton, New
Jersey, USA.
PAGE 76 jSTRATEGIC HR REVIEW jVOL. 17 NO. 2 2018, pp. 76-80, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1475-4398 DOI 10.1108/SHR-11-2017-0077
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