The People Experience team believes the experience of our workforce is fundamental to Northern Health’s organisational success.

The team acts as the organisational ‘ears’ to understand current employee experience using people metrics and insights from engagement surveys, pulse checks and exit interviews.

The team supports and consults leaders to improve employee engagement, while also driving the implementation of initiatives within teams and across Northern Health to facilitate a people-focused workplace. This includes reward and recognition programs and culture transformation projects like Speaking Up For Safety. The team also works towards making Northern Health an employer of choice and has established our Employee Value Proposition to strengthen talent attraction and retention.

The team consists of Jade Ralston, Director People and Performance, Bianca Fazzari, People Experience Business Partner, Alysha Hooper, People Experience Business Partner and Ravinder Kaur, AGA Student supporting People Experience and Wellbeing.

Jade said when employees were engaged and supported by a positive workplace culture, staff had increased happiness and job satisfaction, productivity and quality service delivery, as well as greater staff wellbeing, retention and reduced turnover.

“In order to make every day a great day at work, we need to regularly listen to the voice of our people,” she said.

“I am so proud of Northern Health for investing in a dedicated People Experience team, as it demonstrates an organisational commitment to the experience of our hard-working employees. We have great things planned for 2023 and beyond, and I am excited for our staff to benefit from the strategy and initiatives we have in stall.”

For Bianca, she feels lucky to have the opportunity to make a positive difference to the working lives of Northern Health staff.

“Work is a huge part of our everyday lives, so it is really important that we are working in an environment that is safe, supportive, facilitates our growth and enables us to thrive,” she said.

“What makes it extra meaningful is that I have an opportunity to support a workforce that is crucial to our community. I’m dedicated to supporting our staff so that they continue to love what they do and where they work.”

“What I’m really enjoying about my work is that Northern Health is showing a real commitment to, and investment in, the employee experience with a dedicated team, emerging systems and new initiatives to support a positive workplace culture. We have lots of new and exciting things happening, so watch this space.”

The pandemic emphasised the importance of not only our staff’s wellbeing, but their overall experience at work and how critical the function of People Experience is.

With the country’s healthcare workforce facing major shortages throughout the pandemic, Northern Health responded by seeking to better understand and respond to staff needs so that we can attract and retain exceptional talent.

Processes, systems and initiatives were born out of that learning, including Quarterly Staff Recognition Awards, improvements to service awards and exit interviews and surveys, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, a number of wellbeing supports and initiatives, Employee Appreciation Day and many other staff recognition and appreciation initiatives.

The team is now focused on the future and is committed to creating a contemporary, engaging and high-performing culture. Following the challenges of the past few years, the team is dedicated to understanding what staff want and need to make every day a great day to work at Northern Health.

“It gives me great pleasure to be part of a team that promotes a positive workplace culture within our organisation, and for our local community hospital,” Alysha said.

“As a new member of the People Experience team, I love what I do because I can contribute to creating a workplace that our staff enjoy working in every day. We are giving staff a voice to shape important aspects of their working life at Northern such as reward and recognition, work life balance, professional growth and career development and anything they see as important to our Employee Value Proposition. It’s about making Northern the best workplace it can be.”

Ravinder says she is proud to be surrounded by a team of passionate and dedicated professionals who are committed to improving the employee experience at the organisation.

“Working as an AGA admin student with the People Experience team at Northern Health is incredibly motivating,” she said.

“The opportunity to learn from and contribute to this team, as well as the knowledge that my work is making a positive impact on the lives of employees, is what motivates me every day.”

Featured image: Alysha Hooper, People Experience Business Partner, Bianca Fazzari, People Experience Business Partner and Ravinder Kaur, AGA Student.