Wellbeing through job design

A case study of implementation in RASI (Resettlement, Asylum Support and Integration)

This case study describes the 'Wellbeing through job design’ pilot intervention, undertaken by two teams (approximately 80-100 people on each) at the Home Office, during the period March 2019 - March 2020. The teams were selected after work was undertaken within one directorate to identify areas of the business needing support and intervention. Results of staff surveys and absence statistics sent a clear message that additional action was needed in both teams.

The primary driver behind the design of the pilot was the view that people and their wellbeing are at the heart of effective teamworking, and more generally, making health and wellbeing an organisational priority. Evidence-based practice from a range of disciplines was brought to bear on this pilot. There was a deliberate decision to start with actions to affect change in wellbeing at collective/team level, to pave the way for changes to the design of an individual’s job.

The pilot took an iterative co-production approach with approximately quarterly meetings to review actions taken, reflect on the results and plan next actions. The co-production team included the team leaders and representatives from the Home Office Health and Wellbeing Team and the Institute from Employment Studies (IES).