Psychological Safety or Bust: Why Companies Keep Getting Wellness Totally Wrong

The Elephant in the Org

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Employee wellness programs are everywhere, but are they actually making a difference? In this episode of The Elephant in the Org, Danny, Marion, and Cacha tackle the big questions about workplace wellness. From flashy perks and meditation apps to the critical need for psychological safety, we’re breaking down why so many wellness initiatives fall flat—and what companies need to do differently.

💡 Highlights from this episode:

• Why wellness programs often fail to move from intent to impact.
• The role of middle managers as the unsung heroes (and burnout victims) of workplace wellness.
• How return-to-office policies are taking a toll on employee health, especially for those with disabilities.
• The toxic trap of hustle culture—and why it’s time to let it go.
• Practical steps to embed well-being into your organization’s culture all year round.

📢 Special Mention:
Marion shares details about her Ph.D. research on psychological safety and return-to-office policies. If you’re U.S.-based, work in the knowledge sector, and have been with your employer for six months or more, we’d love for you to participate! Help shape this critical research by completing the survey here: https://lnkd.in/gsNm9BKC

Join the Conversation:
How is your workplace tackling wellness? Are the efforts impactful or just another checkbox exercise? We want to hear your stories!

Articles Referenced:
Gallup: Despite Employer Prioritization, Employee Well-Being Falters

HBR: How Carewashing Alienates Employees

Show Notes

🐘 Let’s keep addressing the elephants in the org.

Connect with Us:

• Follow The Fearless PX on Linkedin at The Fearless PX
• Reach out to Marion, Cacha, and Danny at [e-mail]
• You can find all episodes of The Elephant in the Org here.

We encourage you to subscribe and leave a review if you found this episode enlightening!
From April 2024, all new episodes of The Elephant In the Org will be posted bi-weekly.

Music Credits:
Opening and closing theme by The Toros.

Production Credits:
Produced by The Fearless PX, Edited by Marion Anderson.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are exclusively those of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations’ official policy or position.