Creating a Culture of Wellbeing at Edgewell

When it comes to building a culture that leads with People First, it's important that we take the time to focus on the wellbeing and the unique needs of our teammates. In 2024 we launched our Be Well program which is focused on the needs of our teammate's physical, mental, financial, and emotional wellbeing. A year later our Wellbeing Champions across our locations, planned and carried out so many exciting activations. With this in mind, I recently sat down with our wellbeing sponsor, Chief Legal and People Officer, LaTanya Langley, to dive deeper into the program.

Karen: To begin, can you start by sharing a bit of your own story as it relates to Wellbeing?

LaTanya: Wellbeing is a deeply personal mission for me because I have witnessed firsthand the transformative effects it can have on individuals and organizations. I personally had a neurological condition that had profound effects on various aspects of my life when I was at the peak of my professional journey, including my mental, social, emotional, and physical wellbeing. As such, it became a mission of mine to understand these impacts on other teammates and help provide better support, resources and community. My role in the People Function further solidified my belief in the power of wellbeing initiatives, as I know firsthand how they enhance satisfaction, productivity, and overall company culture.

Karen: Can you speak a bit about why it’s so important to have an emphasis on Wellbeing at Edgewell?

LaTanya: First and foremost, our teammates are our most valuable asset – so much so that operating as a People First business is one of our core values. 

We know that organizations with robust wellbeing programs are businesses that people want to be a part of. We know that we attract and retain the industry’s top talent and we want to make sure our teammate experience matches that. Our Wellbeing program speaks to our commitment to maintaining an amazing culture and showing that we care about the holistic success of our people. Wellbeing is not just an investment in individual teammates but in the growth, stability and success of Edgewell too.

LaTanya: Since you’ve served such a pivotal role in bolstering the wellbeing program here at Edgewell, can you walk us through the four pillars of wellbeing and why they are so important?

Karen: Of course! Our Be Well program is centered on four key pillars: Physical, Financial, Social, and Emotional Wellbeing. Each of these pillars play a critical role in supporting the overall health and happiness of our teammates, and they are interconnected in a way that encourages our team thrive both personally and professionally.

Physical Wellbeing focuses on the importance of maintaining good physical health through exercise, proper nutrition, and access to healthcare resources. When our teammates are physically well, they have more energy, focus, and resilience – making it foundational to the program.

We understand that financial stress can significantly impact a teammate’s emotional state. That's why we provide Financial Wellbeing resources, and education to help our teammates better manage their personal finances, plan for retirement, and feel more secure about their financial future. 

Building strong relationships, both in the workplace and beyond, is essential for feeling supported and connected. The Social Wellbeing pillar focuses on fostering collaboration, interaction, and a sense of togetherness. When individuals feel socially connected, they are more likely to be engaged and satisfied with their environment.

Finally, Emotional Wellbeing is centered on cultivating a healthy mindset and providing the support to navigate life’s challenges. Our program places a strong emphasis on mental health by offering resources like mindfulness sessions, stress-management tools, and additional support for teammates. By focusing on emotional fitness, we aim to help individuals manage stress effectively and maintain a positive outlook, both of which are key to long-term happiness and resilience.

When we place value in physical, financial, social, and emotional fitness, the hope is that we help our teammates show up as the best version of themselves. A healthy, happy team leads to a workplace filled with joy and better prepared to put their best foot forward in everything they do. 

LaTanya: Thank you for that! It’s crucial to understand the basics of our wellbeing pillars to know how to act on them. With that in mind, can you share a little bit about how the Wellbeing program is being implemented at Edgewell?

Karen: Our wellbeing champions are the driving force behind the program, serving as its heartbeat and ensuring its success.  They are the ones who bring the purpose to life fostering a culture of health and support throughout the organization.  Their dedication and leadership are essential in creating an environment where wellbeing thrives. 

In the past year, the Be Well Champions have hosted wellbeing fairs, flu shot clinics, blood drives, local lunch & learns, and global speaker sessions creating space for teammates to either take care of their health or have the option to learn about topics that are important to them.  I’m incredibly excited by the work that our wellbeing champions are doing at each of our locations. They are dedicating their time and effort to show that the wellbeing of our teammates is a top priority.

Karen: If someone were to ask you, outside of these bigger events or activations, how Edgewell prioritizes Wellbeing on a day-to-day basis, what would you say?

LaTanya: The most important we can do is remember that small connections in our everyday lives have a large impact on our Wellbeing – and no act of caring is too small! Simple things like checking in on each other, being mindful of how we manage our own schedules, and actively choosing to end meetings 10 minutes early so there is a small break (or snack) for anyone who may have back-to-back calls. That makes a difference! Even the smallest actions can impact our wellbeing and if we maintain that mindset, we can continue making progress in the right direction.

We are also on a continuous journey to bring more joy to our workspaces.  We have enhanced our wellbeing rooms, we have put up Resource Boards and been quite deliberate about our hybrid work arrangement. Our culture teams are committed to ensuring joy when we come together by hosting various events to celebrate holidays and special occasions across our footprint.  These examples have included food trucks, sweet treats, giveaways and more!

Although it may take a different shape in different locations, in our work environment, we try to bring nature into our workplaces. In some case we have brought in plants. In our Teplice manufacturing office, they installed large landscape murals in the manufacturing plant to enhance the environment during the workday.  

Karen: What do you hope that teammates gain from the Wellbeing program? How do you think it will benefit Edgewell overall?

LaTanya: I hope our teammates discover a deeper sense of balance, stability, and resilience through the company’s Wellbeing initiatives. This program is designed to empower teammates with the essential resources, tools, and support to take charge of their wellbeing. I hope it inspires them to manage stress, prioritize their health, navigate their financial paths, and cultivate fulfillment both in and out of work. I want our people to know that they have access to a comprehensive support system that encourages self-care and growth whether it's through a lunch & learn session we host, reminding folks of our mental health resources available, or attending one of our many events or workshops. I also want to remind people that there is tremendous power in simply checking-in on one another, and I would encourage everyone to simply ask your teammates if they are OK. If they choose to share how they are doing, I would encourage you to always have an empathetic ear to listen and never judge. It's grounding to know that there is a support-system in my teammates at Edgewell, and I know that our Wellbeing program will only emphasize that.

LaTanya: I’d also love to hear your perspective on that question as well! What do you hope teammates gain from the Wellbeing program?

Karen: We’ve all had moments when we’ve prioritized others over ourselves, neglecting our own wellbeing. This program is designed to help individuals prioritize their health. Wellbeing is a deeply personal journey, and we aim to support each person in finding what works best for them, empowering them to finally tackle the goals they've always kept on their 'should-do' list.