As the crispness of fall enters the air and the leaves crunch on the ground thoughts often turn to the short days of winter. November is the time of year when all the projects and plans that begin the year are ending. In the education workforce November is only the beginning of the year. School staff need to find tools to sustain energy, enthusiasm and joy in their workday at this time of the school year. There is no better time to focus on connections as November 12/2024 heralds World Kindness Day.

Why should we focus on kindness and building connectedness in schools?

Did you know that connecting with others in your place of work will improve mental health and well-being? Connections at work improve employee engagement, employee focus and foster a healthy work environment and overall employee’s wellbeing. Data collected by Drs. Laura Sokal and Leslie Trudel (2024) indicate the following that schools that focus on increasing staff wellbeing and connectivity have tenfold effects:

• Within the teacher group, increasing well-being by 20% multiplies the likelihood of being in the high commitment/low risk of leaving group by 151%.

• Within the principal group, increasing connectedness by 20% multiplies the likelihood of being in the high commitment/low risk of leaving group by 131.5%.

• Within the EA group, increasing connectedness by 20% multiplies the likelihood of being in the high commitment/low risk of leaving group by 141%.

Fostering positive relationships and connectedness is critical for school staff retention, job satisfaction, job performance and happiness. Reduce the risk of burnout.

How to establish connections at work? Create a culture of kindness and encourage positive interactions.

Quick tips for developing a work culture that is thriving, resilient and cohesive:

• Create a Wall of Kindness in the workplace to display kind acts.

• Write notes of appreciation and recognition to colleagues.

• Encourage support systems and making connections with others.

• Invite another person for a walk.

• Check in on others.

• Try new things and talk to new people.

• Build resources and support for stress management and self-care.

Resources:

University of Winnipeg News (2021). Assessing teacher burnout in Manitoba. Retrieved on Sept 8, 2023, from https://news.uwinnipeg.ca/assessing-teacher-burnout

Gallup (2024). State of the global workforce.

This report unpacks global and country-specific trends in employee mental health and well-being.

gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx

World Health Organization. (2022). World mental health report: transforming mental health for all. Retrieved on Sept 8, 2023 from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240049338