International Day of Education: Celebrating Unity in the Workplace
Wednesday, 24th January 2024, marks the UNESCO International Day of Education – a day where we celebrate and remind ourselves of the impact of education and training on the workplace.
Fundamentally, access to education is a human right and vitally important to modern workforces. With this context, the increased demand for online education must also advance aspirations for an inclusive education. We strive to give anyone the best opportunity to learn and succeed – no matter their circumstances - through our online courses.
UNESCO’s sixth iteration of this event is under the theme of ‘learning for lasting peace’. Bringing this into our own workplaces – Health & Safety is vital to maintaining peace and unity in the workplace. Learning to maintain unity in our own communities and workplaces must be transformative by empowering learners with the right insights, core values and skills to keep fellow employees safe. Effective leadership and good communication habits are the starting points for this.
How Does Leadership Create Unity?
The right kind of leadership ethics can make a world of difference to the atmosphere and mood of the workplace. This statement is never truer when Health & Safety is concerned. Employee dissolution can reach a fever pitch when their safety is not prioritised, and they’re not included in decisions related to their own well-being. This unrest leads to decreased productivity, lack of motivation and increased stress that has a knock-on effect throughout the business.
Generally, a culture of learning that begins in leadership has a trickle-down effect. When leaders are well-trained – that sends a message to employees that safety matters, and employees will want to follow suit.
An established culture of health and safety through leadership builds trust among employees. It creates composure during work, knowing that all the necessary measures and risks have been taken care of.
How Can Leadership Be More Effective?
As a leader - educating yourself on how to communicate and build trust is fundamental to creating unity among workforces. Building trusting relationships is a skill that can be developed through the correct values and practices. Leaders who have taken their development into their own hands and made themselves more competent are more likely to be respected and trusted by their co-workers. Having integrity and honesty through your actions and words can also help employees feel at ease. Employees are more likely to trust in and yield to a leader’s judgement if they believe it to be accurate and with the best intentions. Building trust should also include being upfront and transparent with employees about their problems and having them in the decision-making process where applicable.
If you’re looking to develop a whole host of other leadership skills to create unity in your workplace - through communication, leadership and other methods – our NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Health and Safety Leadership Excellence course covers it all. Begin leadership excellence training today and make a difference in your organisation’s health and safety standards. Find out more by clicking the button below.