In this episode, host Tobba Vigfusdottir is joined by Martin Gillick, Employee Wellbeing Manager at Bus Éireann, Ireland’s national bus company. Martin shares insights from his extensive experience supporting wellbeing in the workplace, particularly in high-pressure, male-dominated, and diverse environments.
With a workforce of approximately 3,500 people (including 42 different nationalities) and more than 25 locations, workplace wellbeing at Bus Éireann is a balancing act, combining holistic strategy, honest communication, and cultural sensitivity.
Martin explains Bus Éireann’s approach to building a holistic wellbeing strategy, the importance of communication in driving engagement, and practical steps for supporting employee health, including return-to-work processes.
The conversation covers challenges such as stigma around mental health - especially for men and culturally diverse staff - measuring the impact of wellbeing programs, and how to make the case for investment in employee wellbeing.
Martin’s background in workplace wellbeing and how his experiences in the military informed his approach.The structure of Bus Éireann’s “Be Well at Work” strategy and its six wellbeing pillarsWhy recuperation and return-to-work support are crucial but often overlookedStrategies for reintegrating employees after illness, maternity, or extended leaveAddressing stigma and supporting mental health in a male-dominated, multicultural settingImplementing Mental Health First Aid across the organisationThe role of communication: leveraging internal comms, wellbeing champions, and roadshowsCommon managerial mistakes around wellbeing and the importance of human connectionTraining managers to have effective supportive conversationsMeasuring the impact of wellbeing initiatives and what metrics matterMaking the case for wellbeing investment to CFOs and linking wellbeing to business outcomesMartin’s personal wellbeing practices and thoughts on behavioural changeThis episode offers practical insights for HR, wellbeing leaders, and managers looking to embed meaningful support for health and wellbeing in their organisations.
About Kara Connect
Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.
Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.
Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.