Mindfulness in the Workplace
Mindfulness in the Workplace
Many organizations recognise the benefit of mindfulness training for staff. There is now a significant body of evidence.
“This year (2020), a meta-analysis of 78 randomised controlled trials conducted between 1989 and 2019, with almost 6,000 participants, showed mindfulness-based interventions significantly improved attention, memory and processing speed.”
Companies also realize that the employees are their most valuable asset and there is now a greater understanding that a healthy organizational culture is necessary in order for a business to thrive.
For many employees, money is not the only deciding factor. Work life balance is just as important. Mindfulness is a skill which can be learned and it has been shown to be very helpful for managing stress. Companies which are interested in promoting a healthy and happy workforce and reducing staff turnover are increasingly offering ‘in-house’ courses for staff.
I am a HR director and I want to offer mindfulness for my staff… where do I start?
Find a Qualified Trainer
All MTAI Members are:
- Properly Trained
- Bound by Ethical Standards
- Receiving Ongoing Supervision
Help your teacher devise the most suitable programme
Talk to your trainer about your organisation to help them recommend or devise a programme that best suits the needs of your staff
- Find a teacher with relevant industry experience
- Discuss your organisation's culture
- Get the best training for your staff
Some of our members specialise in facilitating sessions in corporate settings. It helps when the trainer knows the industry in question as this tends to make the content more relevant and accessible for staff. As the HR person, you should also have a chat with the trainer and give him / her some background about the existing culture in the organization. This will again help the trainer to recommend / devise a suitable programme for you.
8 Week MBSR
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction programme for staff
- "Gold Standard" in terms of evidence base
- In house or out of office
- 8 weeks
- 2.5 hours weekly
The “gold standard” in terms of evidence base would entail running an 8 week MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) programme for staff. The time commitment for an MBSR course is significant (each session lasts for 2.5 hours). Some companies run courses “in house” for their staff and others pay for employees to attend an MBSR course out of the office on their own time.
4 - 6 Week Courses
Shorter mindfulness courses developed by some of our members
- Shorter Courses with lower time commitment
- 4-6 weeks
- 1 - 1.5 hours weekly
The time commitment involved means that the MBSR programme might not always be workable / appropriate. If so, you could consider a shorter course. Some of our members have developed 6 week courses and 4 week courses (1 hour to 1.5 hours per week).
One-off Workshops
One time workshop events tailored to your requirements
- Good introduction for those new to mindfulness
- 1 time tailored event
One off workshops can also serve as a nice introduction for people who may be new to the practice.
MTAI Members Teaching Mindfulness in the Workplace
Kay Murphy, BA, HDE, MA
Josephine Lynch
Erica Balfour
