Wellbeing@Work: Ginesta Launches New Program for Employees

Initiated by Denise Ginesta, Head of Health & Wellbeing At Ginesta Immobilien AG, and led by wellbeing expert Tanja Schiess of Vivoa , the new program concretely integrates self-care into everyday work life. With practical guidance on nutrition, mindfulness, and the conscious management of personal resources, it helps our employees take good care of themselves even amid a demanding workday. In this interview, Denise Ginesta explains what’s behind the new wellbeing program and the role she plays in it.

Denise, first of all: What exactly does your job title, “Health & Wellbeing Manager,” entail?

When I returned to the company a year ago after completing my training as a psychological counselor, it was clear to me that I wanted to do more to support our employees and their well-being. Our day-to-day work can be very intense, and that’s not always something we can change. But as an employer, we can think about what makes everyday life more pleasant and where we can support our employees. My job is to address these issues and develop concrete ideas and measures based on them.

What was the spark that led to the new wellbeing program?

The impetus came from our employees themselves. In an internal survey, we asked where they would like additional support. This led to various initiatives, such as improvements to the work environment, furniture, lighting, ventilation, and IT. The Wellbeing Program is one of them. Nutrition, stress management, and mindfulness were mentioned repeatedly in the survey. I therefore took a closer look at these topics and, together with Tanja Schiess from Vivoa, developed a program that integrates well into our daily work routine.

What does “well-being” mean to Ginesta?

To me, well-being doesn’t mean that every workday has to be relaxed. That would simply be unrealistic. In our industry, there are intense periods and days when a lot is happening all at once.

As an employer, we can’t prevent all sources of stress. But we can ensure that our employees’ well-being and needs are taken seriously. Performance and professionalism are important. At the same time, we want our employees to enjoy working here and feel comfortable.

You’ve hired Tanja Schiess, an outside expert, for the program. Why?

That was important to us. As a company, we don’t want to dictate to our employees how they should eat or what they should do for their well-being. In Tanja, we’ve found an expert who combines nutrition, mindfulness, exercise, and stress management and shares her knowledge in a very practical way. It’s also refreshing to listen to someone from outside the company every now and then. The sessions with Tanja are almost like mini-vacations from the daily grind. You learn something new, try things out, and decide for yourself what works best for you.

Why are nutrition, mindfulness, and stress management the main focus?

Because we can immediately feel the effects ourselves in our daily lives. How do I feel after lunch? What helps me clear my head before an important appointment? How do I manage to unwind after a long day? There’s no right or wrong way to do this. Everyone can figure out for themselves what works best for them and what fits well into their own daily routine.

What does the program actually look like?

We wanted to make it as easy as possible to participate. That’s why the short sessions take place online during work hours. This way, employees from all ten locations can take part. Toward the end, we’ll meet in person for a group yoga session. Afterward, there’ll be a cocktail reception. And yes, a glass of wine or a beer is welcome, too. (laughs) At Ginesta, we like to celebrate together, and I think that enjoying ourselves, laughing, and spending time together also contribute to our well-being. Well-being doesn’t always have to be all about being healthy and sensible.

What do you personally like best about the program?

I like that the sessions are a welcome break from the normal workday. You consciously set aside an hour for topics that often don’t get much attention in everyday life. And sometimes, even just one thought that you remember later is enough.

What do you hope the employees will take away from the program?

Above all, a more mindful focus on our own well-being. Many of our employees are already very well-informed about these topics. In fact, we’ve known much of this for a long time. But in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, this knowledge sometimes gets lost. Hearing it again, talking about it together, and reflecting on it can help us actually put it into practice when the time is right.

For me, the best outcome would be if, after the program, everyone took something different away—perhaps a small habit, a practical mindfulness or relaxation exercise, or simply the reminder to check in with themselves every now and then. If we do things more mindfully and live more fully in the moment, we’ve already achieved a great deal. We spend a large part of our lives at work, and my hope for our employees is that they feel comfortable and that they find joy and enjoyment in working with us.

Questions about Wellbeing@Work?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Email to Denise Ginesta

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