Torquay business makes AFR best places to work list

TORQUAY business WHR Allied Health has been named on the 2021 The Australian Financial Review BOSS Best Places to Work List.

Managing director Brad Dent said they were honoured to rank number nine on the health industry list, from nearly 1000 nominated organisations across Australia and New Zealand.

“We’re incredibly proud of our team and are humbled by making this list,” Mr Dent said.

“Our staff create and foster the epic culture that we have and not a day goes by that we aren’t grateful for their contributions to our vision.

“We know that by looking after our staff, they’ll be best placed to look after our clients.”

Mr Dent said WHR Allied Health was a great place to work because of the autonomy that the team has in their roles.

Staff are given financially unlimited professional development budgets to self-direct mastery in their areas of professional interest.

“We think that as a result of the trust that we have in all of our team they’re empowered in their roles and this will of course contribute to them being part of our crew long term,” Mr Dent said.

“Flexibility is based on the trust that we have for our team.”

Even before COVID, if staff opted to work away from the office for multiple days it was supported.

“We’re really proud of our commitment to staff wellbeing,” Mr Dent said.

“One hundred per cent of our occupational therapists have completed the Mental Health First Aid training, we know this is good for them and good for our community and those we work with.

“We’re very aware of the vicarious trauma that can occur as a result of working with clients and families with complex backgrounds.

Making the office environment fun and celebrating achievements on a fortnightly basis, in addition to our individualised self-care plans, will hopefully continue to see our staff feeling well supported.”

The annual best place to work list is based on a rigorous assessment process managed by behavioural science consultancy, Inventium.

In 2020, the list comprised of 10 industry lists which was compiled from nearly 700 nominations.

Inventium founder Dr Amantha Imber said flexibility, wellbeing and equality were key elements for those that topped the list.

“We have undertaken extensive research into what truly makes a brilliant workplace, and we are thrilled to recognise many organisations who are leading the way with innovative practices that drive key elements such as flexibility, wellbeing and equality,” Mr Imber said.