- March 5, 2025
- Posted by: Gopakumar PG
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As workplaces undergo rapid transformation, organizations must prioritize employee well-being and engagement to stay competitive. To help businesses create environments where employees feel supported, empowered, and equipped to perform at their best, Workplace Options (WPO) introduces the Center for Organizational Effectiveness, a global consulting and thought leadership hub dedicated to integrating real-time well-being insights into workplace strategy.
Backed by millions of well-being interactions across WPO’s EAP and Work Life services, the Center provides data-driven, proactive solutions for today’s most pressing workplace challenges, including employee engagement, psychological safety, psychosocial risk management, change management, and inclusive leadership. By bridging the gap between business strategy and human experience, the COE is redefining how organizations foster engagement, resilience, and long-term success at the global scale with local expertise.
“Organizational success is built on the foundation of people-first leadership,” said Alan King, President and CEO, Workplace Options. “We created the Center for Organizational Effectiveness to bridge the gap between business strategy and employee experience, empowering organizations to achieve meaningful change and measurable results.”
The Business Case for Psychological Safety
The Center for Organizational Effectiveness has issued several studies and reports recently, including, the Workplace Options annual Psychological Safety Study (released on February 27, 2025). The study’s results reveal how employees, across 18 countries, are struggling in ways that, if left unaddressed, could define the future of work for generations to come.
Key findings include:
- Workplace stress ranks as the top concern across nearly every country studied.
- Conflict at work is a widespread issue, particularly in China, France, and Japan.
- Performance pressure is surging globally, with employees struggling to meet expectations.
- Young professionals are experiencing burnout at alarming rates, raising concerns for the future workforce.
“Our latest Psychological Safety Study is a wake-up call,” said WPO Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Kennette Thigpen Harris, LCSW. “If organizations fail to prioritize psychological safety now, we risk creating a workplace culture defined by stress, conflict, and disengagement. Right now, leaders have a unique opportunity to foster trust, collaboration, and wellbeing.”
Unlike traditional surveys, this study is based on real, anonymized conversations between employees and clinicians. The result? A raw, unfiltered look at the challenges employees face—providing leaders with the insights they need to drive meaningful change.
From Uncertainty to Resilience: A Leader’s Guide to Navigating Political Transitions
Political shifts—whether in the U.S. or globally—create workplace uncertainty, fueling anxiety and disengagement. In response, WPO’s Center for Organizational Effectiveness released From Uncertainty to Resilience: A Leader’s Well-being Guide for Navigating Political Transition, an evidence-based white paper offering strategic guidance for leaders managing change.
“Periods of political and societal change bring challenges—but also opportunities,” said Oliver Brecht, Vice President of The Center for Workplace Effectiveness & General Manager of Enterprise Solutions at WPO. “Leaders set the tone for their teams; leaders can turn uncertainty into an opportunity to build trust, connection, and pride within their teams.”
Key leadership strategies include:
- Addressing Workplace Anxiety: Identifying stress triggers and fostering open dialogue.
- Building Resilience: Equipping teams with stress management and adaptability techniques.
- Leveraging Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Enhancing change management through holistic support.
- Fostering Psychological Safety: Creating environments where employees feel valued and heard.
“Effective leadership begins with authenticity and empathy,” said Brecht. “By modeling these behaviors and creating psychologically safe environments, leaders foster respect and resilience—essential ingredients for navigating the recent political transitions successfully.”
A Call to Action for Leaders Everywhere
The Center for Organizational Effectiveness’ Psychological Safety Study and From Uncertainty to Resilience provide critical blueprints for navigating today’s workplace challenges. The Center is committed to equipping leaders with insights and tools to future-proof their organizations assuring they remain competitive, adaptable, and people-centric.
About The Center for Organizational Effectiveness
The Center for Organizational Effectiveness is a global consulting and thought leadership hub dedicated to helping organizations build thriving workplaces and resilient teams, on a global scale and with local impact. Leveraging real-time well-being insights from millions of interactions across 200+ countries and 68+ languages, the Center provides data-driven strategies in employee engagement, psychological safety, psychosocial risk management, and inclusive leadership. By integrating well-being into workplace strategy, we help organizations create environments where employees feel protected, empowered, and enabled to thrive, wherever they are.
About Workplace Options:
Founded in 1982, Workplace Options (WPO) is the largest independent provider of holistic well-being solutions. Through customized programs, and a comprehensive global network of credentialed providers and professionals, WPO supports individuals to become healthier, happier, and more productive both personally and professionally. Trusted by 50 percent of Fortune 500 companies, WPO delivers high-quality care digitally and in-person to more than 88 million people across 127,000 organizations in more than 200 countries and territories.
Contact: Jennifer Dart, Senior Corporate Communications Manager Jennifer.Dart@workplaceoptions.com
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