Supporting Employee Resiliency During Turbulent Times

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2011

It has been reported nationally that thirty percent of workers claim that they are under stress at work and fifty percent do not feel that their employer has an interest in their well-being. This research spurred Henrico County’s Human Resources Department (HR) into recognizing that County employees needed additional resources in stress management and resiliency during these difficult economic times. The implementation process of the Resiliency Initiative began in January 2009, with the County offering eighteen courses to over six hundred employees. These courses were offered to all County employees, including specific target groups such as employees nearing retirement, administrative professionals, and County leaders at all levels, including upper managers. The Initiative has dramatically exceeded the goals that were set for it, seeing 1,294 participants registered for 637 available seats. The Employee Development & Training and Fitness & Wellness divisions of HR partnered to offer the programs. After attending class, one in five participants accessed Fitness & Wellness services, furthering their resiliency. This initiative was overwhelmingly successful in providing key resources to County employees during a time of great need, and only causing them to incur a minimal cost. In addition to the quantitative results, the intangible benefits of these programs will help to improve the County and its workforce for years to come.