Meaningful Work as the Key to Retaining Healthcare Staff
Josine Janssen explored how organizations and teams can facilitate meaningful work in healthcare and what barriers play a role in this process. She demonstrates that healthcare workers view meaningful work as crucial for their job satisfaction and motivation to remain in the sector. They are willing to sacrifice their well-being or break rules to feel they are making an impact on others' lives.
A key finding is that meaningful work cannot be promoted through isolated initiatives, such as wellness programs, if structural barriers within the organization persist. The topic must be integrated at all levels of the organization, from strategy and leadership to team development.
In practice, this means organizations must actively remove obstacles that hinder meaningful work, such as cumbersome procedures and poor communication. By doing so, they can free up time and mental space for employees, enhancing their long-term engagement and well-being.