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A Wholistic Approach for Thriving at Work
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actual cases
I invite you to read the following real life examples of how solutions to issues were reached, providing a win-win outcome for both the employees and their employers.
Situation: A PhD engineer hadn’t
been performing well for the past year. The employee had some unique
skills, so the manager didn’t want to terminate him. The manager
suspected there were personal issues and thought it would be best for
the employee to have a neutral confidante with no ties to the company.
During my assessment with the employee, he told me he had been
diagnosed with high blood pressure, an ulcer, depression, and anxiety,
and his doctor had strongly advised he reduce his stress at work.
Because he didn’t want to jeopardize his job, he didn't want to
tell this to his boss.
I evaluated his work habits and environment. He worked in the basement
of a building with fluorescent lighting, concrete walls, and no
windows. And, he worked on a computer 10 hours a day, 6 days a
week. The employee had gotten caught in a vicious cycle of working
harder and being less productive.
The employee had concerns and fears about losing his job. I
showed him ways to manage his time, plan his work, and set boundaries
with his boss so he could cut back on his hours and still get his work
done. I suggested simple ways he could take better care of
himself while he worked, including integrating physical movement
throughout the day to counteract his sedentary job.
Results for Employee: By implementing his
doctor’s recommendations and working with me, this
employee’s health problems improved within a few months, and
progress reports showed he had more energy and functioned more
effectively and productively during the day. Two years later, the
employee is still on the job and is taking on new projects.
Bottom Line Impact on Company: Based on the employee's $75,000 per year salary, the company saved at least that amount by not having to hire and train a replacement and an estimated $1,500 in medical costs in the past 15 months. The company also benefited from the employee's increased productivity.
Situation: A sales manager in her 50s
had been advised to have a hysterectomy, which would require an absence
from work of 4-6 weeks. She hired me to help her prepare for her
absence to minimize disruption to her boss, coworkers, and
employees. I assessed her situation and helped her identify
potential problems for herself and others. Then together we implemented
a plan that involved cross-training and delegation so her staff could
function without her direct guidance during her absence. We also
constructed a re-entry plan to minimize the impact of returning to the
pace and stress of work (i.e. facing a backlog of projects) without
jeopardizing her healing process.
Results for Employee: Because she prepared
for her absence and temporary disability, her recovery was less
stressed and went well. Her staff had handled much of her workload
while she was out, so she was able to return to work part-time sooner
than expected without facing an overwhelming schedule and a stressful
reentry.
Bottom Line Impact on Company: The company avoided additional health care costs and unplanned absenteeism due to recovery complications.
Situation: A 30-year old computer programmer
hired me to help him assess his career before switching companies
and/or careers to something he considered more personally satisfying.
Within a few sessions, we identified the underlying cause of his
discontent. In his case, the employee was working alone on projects,
and he realized he longed for group interactions. And, he was
uninspired by his office environment.
I helped him find ways to fulfill these needs so his current job
could be more personally satisfying. By becoming a mentor for new
employees, volunteering for a company-wide initiative, and
personalizing his office, this employee became more inspired and
rediscovered his interest in programming. It only took four sessions.
Results for Employee: By renewing his
interest in his current position, he became more actively engaged in
projects. As a result, his boss promoted him to lead a project.
Bottom Line Impact on Company: Based on his salary, his company saved an estimated $60,000 in turnover related costs and retained a valuable, high performing employee.
“Being in a group of HR managers helped me feel supported, and I now have more trust in my ability as an HR manager. I gained skills to help me understand and communicate with employees to empower them to resolve issues. I've become more aware of my own stress level and how to de-stress. Christine gently guided me toward the experience that I knew, or had hoped, my job could be."
—Holly Harris, Human Resources Manager, Colorado
"I chose to work with Christine because of her strong background in corporate America, Human Resources, and natural health. She provided me with necessary tools, insights, and emotional support at a critical point in my career."
- Marie Coppola,
VP Sales Development
Institutional Financing Services, California
