Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1380662
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 6 JUNE 2021 14 COMMERCIAL Putting wellbeing into practice at the Following a year that has redefined work processes and priorities, Malta's Planning Authority has opened a new Employee Development and Wellbeing Unit to focus on the holistic wellbeing of its staff. Led by Daniela Farrugia Camoin, the Unit is a clear sign of what to expect in a post-pandemic world of work FOR employees in almost every industry worldwide, the last year has been challenging as never before. The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed lives and livelihoods, forcing employ- ees to adapt to a sudden shift in working practices and family life, while facing mental health risks. At Malta's Planning Authority (PA), the over 400-strong team has likewise had to roll with the changes brought over the last year – but they have not had to do it alone. Supporting them in the endeavour is now a newly established Unit focused en- tirely on the wellbeing and de- velopment of employees, both during this time of uncertainty and beyond. "The Employee Development and Wellbeing Unit is a trail- blazing concept that is being made into a reality" explains Daniela Farrugia Camoin, who is leading the way forward for the new Unit. "Few organisa- tions, even in the private sec- tor, have a dedicated division such as this, which fully con- centrates on employee well- being. Following the appoint- ment of Martin Saliba as the new executive Chairperson, back in December 2019, he set the ball rolling for this Unit to get set up. With the pandemic kicking in soon after, the need for this Unit was accelerated. Wellbeing, after all, is so much more than just physical health. It is emotional, mental, physi- cal and, for some, also spiritual. Our scope is to ensure that our staff's holistic needs are priori- tised, while we also strengthen our internal communication and sense of community." Within the new Unit's remit are some tasks and resources previously handled by the PA's Human Resources Unit. The Unit has already started to roll out a packed schedule of pro- grammes and themed initia- tives. "Our programmes will be cus- tomised to suit our employees' skills, abilities and needs, from the feedback we receive by our staff members themselves. These themed initiatives will include varied measures, such as introducing the concept of walking meetings and coffee morning meetings, as well as regular surveys and hubs which will be created to further focus on specific aspects of wellbe- ing, such as health and fitness