The Launch of the Center for Organizational Effectiveness: A New Era of Workplace Wellbeing 

In a world where mental health and wellbeing are increasingly seen as strategic priorities, companies and their leadership teams should look to holistic approaches to workplace health as a critical success factor. In other words, employee wellbeing and engagement have become more crucial than ever. The tie between wellbeing and organizational effectiveness is fundamental to long-term organizational success. 

With that reality in mind, Workplace Options (WPO) recently launched the Center for Organizational Effectiveness (COE). This groundbreaking initiative is aimed at addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing modern organizations. The COE will provide advanced data analytics and analysis to organizations so that they meet performance goals. 

The COE emerges from Workplace Options’ more than 40 years of experience working directly with clients and members, with a global reach that now includes over 88 million lives under care. This new center is set to transform how organizations think about workplace wellbeing, employee engagement, and psychosocial safety. As the name implies, “organizational effectiveness” is wide-ranging, encompassing all leadership levels, which the COE will empower by delivering real-time well-being insights that can be used to fulfill workplace strategy. 

“We’re taking the decades of experience we have gained working with clients and combining it with cutting-edge data analysis to stay ahead of these changes,” explains Oliver Brecht, VP of Enterprise Solutions and Head of the Center for Organizational Effectiveness. “The COE is focused on helping organizations proactively manage risk, while fostering a culture of psychological safety.” 

Addressing the Evolving Landscape of Employee Wellbeing 

At its core, the COE is designed to provide organizations with actionable insights and tailored strategies to improve workplace culture. Built on the deep experiences of a team of subject matter experts, the COE will help companies build thriving workplaces and resilient teams. By focusing on cutting-edge strategies in employee engagement, psychological safety, psychosocial risk management, stress prevention, change management, and inclusive leadership, the Center empowers organizations to navigate complexity and foster environments where people and businesses succeed together.  

One of the initial topics that has gained significant global attention is psychosocial safety, and rightly so. But what exactly does it mean? 

“Psychosocial safety is fundamentally about identifying and addressing the hazards within a workplace environment that could cause psychological injury,” says Kurt Merriweather, VP of Marketing and Innovation at WPO and responsible for Employee Engagement Solutions for the COE. “These hazards are not limited to physical risks or accidents, but also include emotional and mental stressors that can negatively impact employees.” 

Examples of psychosocial risks include: 

• Job Demands: Excessive workloads or unreasonable expectations. 

• Isolation: A common issue for remote workers or those in solitary roles. 

• Exposure to Traumatic Events: From customer-facing incidents to internal crises. 

• Interpersonal Issues: Such as harassment, bullying, or toxic work relationships. 

• Autonomy: Lack of control over one’s tasks or the way work is approached.
   

Understanding and addressing these risks requires a proactive and adaptive approach, something that the COE is uniquely positioned to support. Rather than simply responding to crises after they occur, the COE empowers organizations to predict and mitigate risks through data-driven strategies. 

Building Organizational Effectiveness with Data and Insights 

One of the most beneficial aspects of the COE is its commitment to longitudinal data analysis. The effort builds on the in-depth work Workplace Options has done in measuring employee wellbeing efforts for more than four decades. Over the last two years, WPO has released its Psychological Safety Study, an examination of workplace concerns faced by employees across 18 countries. These barriers to workplace excellence are important, because the Study is created from clinician discussions with actual employees, not surveys.  

The COE utilizes this information and billions of data points to track how specific issues evolve over time and develop sustainable practices that genuinely and authentically benefit employee wellbeing. 

For example, in Australia, the top workplace concern in 2023 was lack of recognition. Just one year later, that issue had completely dropped off the radar, replaced by concerns about job demands. Such rapid shifts illustrate why continuous monitoring and adaptation are essential. 

The COE goes beyond just delivering reports or insights—it partners with organizations to contextualize data and create actionable plans.  

“The goal is to go beyond checking compliance boxes, to implementing real-world changes that enhance organizational culture and employee wellbeing,” says Donald Thompson, CEO of The Diversity Movement and a Senior Leader at the COE. 

Psychological Safety and Its Global Implications 

As companies become increasingly global, the importance of understanding regional differences becomes paramount. In Europe, for instance, work-life balance and job security are top concerns, while in parts of Asia, the focus more frequently centers on workplace respect and autonomy. This diversity of needs means that a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t work. This data is critical for executives with global teams and operations across cultures. 

The COE recognizes this complexity and helps organizations customize their strategies based on geographical and cultural differences. By leveraging global insights and local expertise, companies can foster environments that truly support their employees, regardless of location. 

Moreover, the COE emphasizes the importance of creating safe spaces for dialogue. When employees feel empowered to share their challenges without fear of repercussions, leaders gain crucial insights into potential risks and can respond proactively. This open communication not only fosters trust and transparency, but also reinforces a culture of psychological safety. 

A Future-Focused Approach to Well-Being 

The COE’s mission is based on helping organizations solve immediate concerns, while also building and preparing for the future. By combining data analytics, employee engagement insights, and tailored solutions, the COE equips leaders with the tools they need to navigate complex challenges. Whether it’s dealing with changing workforce expectations or identifying emerging risks, the COE is designed to be a partner in progress. 

Ultimately, the goal of the Center for Organizational Effectiveness is to help organizations create thriving, resilient work environments that support both productivity and wellbeing. While reducing workplace risks and supporting training programs is essential, the COE’s work is focused on enhancing human potential. 

The Path Forward 

As organizations continue to grapple with new workplace dynamics, the COE’s launch marks a pivotal moment for those committed to employee engagement. By embracing a proactive, data-driven approach, leaders can foster cultures of safety and trust. For companies looking to enhance their organizational culture and support their people, the COE offers the guidance, tools, and insights needed to navigate an ever-changing landscape.  

“By every measure, whether challenges with daily life or the aftereffects of warfare or the global pandemic, it is clear that the future of work demands resilient and adaptable strategies,” says Brecht. “The Center for Organizational Effectiveness is here to lead the way for organizations determined to put wellbeing first as a major strategic priority.”  

The message is clear: When employees feel safe, valued, and supported, organizations thrive. With the COE, Workplace Options is helping to build that future—one company at a time.