You’ve done the WPA and written an action plan – so that’s it, right?
Wrong! WPA work does not end with an action plan. Systematic follow-up is crucial to ensure that your dialogue and action plans have an impact.
In fact, it's counterproductive for a good work environment to conduct a survey, start a dialogue, draw up an action plan – and then not follow up: Studies show that people’s perception of the work environment deteriorates if we talk about it but fail to put concrete initiatives in place and regularly improve.
Follow-up is a management task, and it is important this has priority.
At unit level, it may be a good idea to add follow-up work to a fixed timetable, e.g.:
The more you can incorporate an awareness of well-being and focus on work environment initiatives in your other activities at the unit, the more natural your work on the work environment will become. It is important to find an approach, rhythm and cycle that is meaningful and works in the local context.
"Are we on the right track?". "Have our changes led to improvements?"
It’s good to ask your team to reflect on these questions regularly.
It’s also worth reflecting on them yourself. It may be a good idea to address the various initiatives once a month as part of your own management practice and ask yourself:
Action plans can include both major and minor initiatives, and it’s easy to overlook the positive changes that our action plans have brought about. So it’s important to share the results with your staff when relevant.
Consider whether you need to adjust any of the initiatives. There is often a need to monitor the initiatives that have been launched and to regularly consider whether anything needs to be adjusted.