Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1380662
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 6 JUNE 2021 15 COMMERCIAL the Planning Authority and motivation amongst oth- ers," continues Ms Farrugia Camoin. "Besides covering the physical and psychological aspects of wellbeing, we will also be sup- porting our team on a profes- sional level through continued flexibility in working hours, a company culture of trust, and task list ownership. We want our employees not to feel shackled but share the disci- pline of a responsible working flexibility, which is why we are planning to offer bespoke quiet rooms in our workspace, where an employee can retreat to fo- cus, re-energise or destress." The setting up of this Unit further crystallises the proac- tive, employee-focused culture that has been in place at the PA for decades. As one of the first organisations in Malta to intro- duce teleworking and hotdesk- ing, the transition to the new working reality created by the pandemic was not too drastic for PA staff. Nevertheless, les- sons learned during the health crisis are forging the future of work at the PA, as Ms Far- rugia Camoin and her Unit's specialised staff translate the organisation's commitment to innovation into support for employees in a post-COV- ID-19 world. "Although they will always be able to telework, some staff will wish to return to the office once it is safe to do so," high- lights Ms Farrugia Camoin, "which means they will shift their working environment from home – with all its ben- efits of comfort, outdoor space and accessibility – back to our office. So, the plan is to make our offices more modern and inviting, to make the transition back a happy one. We want our staff to feel content and com- fortable when working with us, wherever they may be sitting." As its name implies, the Em- ployee Development and Well- being Unit also recognises the important part played by pro- fessional goals in a person's overall wellbeing. Every individual working at the PA – from new recruits to veterans – will benefit from a focused development plan sep- arate from their performance appraisal, which delves into their career aspirations and ex- plores how their strengths and talents might be better utilised. Taking these conclusions fur- ther, the Unit will then com- municate with the leaders of each directorate to ensure that training is given as required, solidifying the wellbeing of both the staff and the organi- sation. In fact, the Unit's resolve to strengthen communication across the PA between col- leagues and directorates will radically change the narrative within the organisation. "The definition of wellbeing will never be static, as every indi- vidual's experiences impact their dynamic needs every day," Ms Farrugia Camoin explains. "That's why we are continuous- ly researching what wellbeing is all about in the wider world, to ensure that we have robust processes in place that are reg- ularly reviewed and updated to reflect best practices. We rep- resent the PA's accountability to tangibly and consistently support the mental, physical, emotional and psychologi- cal wellbeing of all our valued employees, throughout their working life at the PA." The PA's commitment to well- being also extends to boosting awareness on a European level. The Unit is set to collaborate with the EU and Multilateral Affairs Unit to continue im- plementing EU-funded pro- grammes such as Erasmus+ and ESF, while also assisting in acquiring EU Funds to imple- ment new activities. "Several programmes we have on the horizon, including the modernisation of the offices, require funding, so we are in constant partnership with our EU Funding team. Through this set-up, we can also analyse the concept of wellbeing with other countries – to either cre- ate standalone policies or in- troduce wellbeing into existing international policies. The PA has always embraced change and innovative ideas, and here we have the opportu- nity to pioneer a new culture of wellbeing both for our team and for other organisations on a global scale," concludes Ms Farrugia Camoin. "The PA has always embraced change and innovative ideas, and here we have the opportunity to pioneer a new culture of wellbeing both for our team and for other organisations on a wider scale."