Do you walk the walk of your therapy talk in your own clinical workspace? Does your workplace support different ways of working and learning? In what ways might you consider and improve the physical and social-emotional wellbeing of your colleagues and yourself in the workplace?
In recognition and celebration of OT month, ERI’s in-house OT and Assistant Director of Continuing Education – Joann Sorg- is sharing how our workplace is supportive of different working and learning needs. Taking good care of our small and mighty team is essential so we can deliver on our mission to our clinical community!
What are some ways ERI meets the needs of employees who have caregiving roles outside of work?
Our company was founded by two working parents, so flexibility around schedules and timing has been built in from the start. Team members make the most of their work time by enjoying flexibility in work schedules to minimize long commute times or missed family events. Workplace flexibility means that remote work is not only possible but valued when it supports employees’ wellbeing.
When it comes to learning and job performance, employees value autonomy and a sense of meaning and purpose in what they do day-to-day. How does ERI balance autonomy in work roles with connection amongst team members?
Being a small company means that folks may play several roles and wear multiple hats. Some level of autonomy with decision making and prioritizing work tasks is essential for efficiency and delivering on our company goals. At the same time, connection is crucial for a sense of purpose and meaning in what we do.
The ERI team intentionally gathers both in-office and out of the office to enjoy connection as colleagues and friends. Over the summer of 2024, the team ventured out of the office to The Orchard House in historic Concord, MA. Following a tasty lunch at a nearby restaurant, we toured Louisa May Alcott’s home, learning about her family history and writing career. It was a truly refreshing day around her gardens and historic home. We even found connection to ERI’s aims in the writings of her father, Amos Bronson Alcott, whose General Maxims on Teaching lead to thoughtful musing about the evolution of continuing education since its writing in the 1820’s.
When we’re together in Medfield, we make time to gather around the table for lunch and easy-going conversations about families, events and travels and especially, our latest favorite TV shows, movies and books! We learn about the interests and experiences of our colleagues, from oil painting to formula 1, from golf to concerts and theater. We pack a lot into our lunch break and always leave the table filled up!
How does ERI support the physical wellbeing of team members in the office?
With much of our work at the desktop on screen(s), we make efforts to move our bodies whenever reasonably possible. Adjustable standing desks and yoga mats are a couple of our favorite pieces of equipment, but that’s not the only way to move. Some of us are known to journey up two flights of stairs for the restroom, rather than using the facilities directly outside our office. Walking meetings are welcomed back as the weather cooperates and even a quick stroll around our business complex is encouraged as a fresh air movement break. According to one employee, the only thing missing in the physical equipment department is a pull-up bar for some stretching, strengthening and regulating heavy work (hint, hint!).
What about work practices? How do these fit with different learning and working needs?
As clinicians, we know the importance of leaning on our strengths and using smart strategies to build on the skills that need a boost. Over the past 30+ years, our team has gathered experience, refined work practices, and responded sustainably to changes in the company’s and customers’ needs. All of this experience has allowed for established procedures and a comforting predictability when possible, so energy, efforts and attention can be directed toward creating and providing CE content with personalized customer service whether the customer is an individual clinician or a healthcare system with hundreds of clinicians. We are frequently considering and revising work practices that will facilitate each team member’s participation and accuracy with our job performance. We lend a hand. We embrace challenges with curiosity and capability.
This OT Month I’m happy to say that we have a robust and smooth goodness of fit between the environment, activities, routines, skills and abilities in the ERI Team that are very likely to contribute to ongoing progress toward our mission- provide evidence based and relevant continuing education that reminds therapists why they love what they do.
Joann Sorg, OTR
Assistant Director of Continuing Education