"Well-being" Program: Reducing Fatigue, Restoring Social Connections

Impact of Accumulated Stress on Industrial Safety

During periods of global changes and macroeconomic uncertainty, the stress level in work teams inevitably increases. Accumulated fatigue ceases to be solely an HR problem and directly impacts industrial safety: concentration decreases, engagement drops, and the number of sick leaves and micro-injuries grows. In her presentation, Irina Klimanova, Head of HSE at Rosatom Fiberglass, examines how systematic work with the physical and mental state of employees helps break this negative chain.

Using her company as an example, the speaker shows how, after five years of incident-free work, the stress accumulated since 2020 led to team disunity and a series of minor accidents. The response to this challenge was a shift from isolated measures to a comprehensive well-being program aimed at working with the body, emotions, and social connections.

Three Vectors of the Well-being Program

The presentation details practical tools for reducing anxiety, many of which do not require large-scale financial investments from the company.

Physical Health and Team Dynamics

Initiatives range from organizing relaxation rooms for short workouts during lunch breaks to multi-month weight loss challenges. Joint physical activity reasonably reduces burnout and forms new social connections between production and office staff. Group goals motivate employees not to give up what they started, while regular monitoring and support create sustainable habits.

Emotional Relief in the Workplace

To reduce cortisol levels, unconventional but scientifically proven practices have been introduced. The speaker explains the mechanics of tools such as a local audio album with birdsong or art therapy sessions (neurographics). These methods work on a deep physiological level: they shift attention, form new neural connections, and allow for quick relief of acute tension. The "Day of Beautiful People" practice is highlighted separately, which, by changing from usual workwear to everyday outfits, alters employees' self-perception and strengthens emotional unity.

Social Connectivity and Recognition

Horizontal recognition practices (for example, sending "Thank you, colleague" messages) and joint environmental campaigns (plastic collection, tree planting) restore employees' sense of importance. Participating in helping others and the visibility of one's own achievements act as a natural buffer against external stress, reducing the risk of turnover and increasing loyalty.

Motivation and Overcoming Implementation Barriers

Special attention is paid to the mechanics of engagement. Irina shares her experience in overcoming skepticism, especially from production personnel working on a continuous shift schedule. Key success factors here are the personal example of managers, the creation of clear micro-rituals, the use of non-material rewards (patches, hard hat stickers), and regular support of information channels. The speaker also explains why the company ultimately abandoned rigid corporate checklists in favor of a flexible system of ideological curators.

What you will learn from this webinar:

• How to link the growth of minor injuries with the level of psychological tension in the team?
• What low-budget practices help quickly reduce employee anxiety right in the workplace?
• How to engage shift production personnel in corporate wellness activities?
• Why traditional well-being checklists can hinder program development and what to effectively replace them with?
• How to properly assess risks and handle personal data when conducting sports challenges?