Workplaces are changing in ways that can no longer be ignored. The turbulence of recent years, including economic uncertainty, rapid technological acceleration and evolving expectations of what work should be, has reshaped not only how people show up, but what they are seeking when they do.
Jat Purewal, Lead Consultant at Tribe Culture Change, explores the rise of “champion communities”, who are championing health, safety, and wellbeing within their organisation. They encourage work environments where people can thrive as well as feel safe and supported.
A New Era of Employee Expectations
The world doesn’t pause at the office door. Economic uncertainty, social and technological change, and shifting expectations around what work means are reshaping how people show up, not just physically, but emotionally. Across industries and roles, we are seeing something that is becoming unmistakably clear; people want more meaning, more care and more connection. Whether they’ve just joined or have been around for decades, employees are asking not just “What do I do here?” but “What does this place stand for and how does it stand by me?
Health, Safety & Wellbeing Are No Longer Side Conversations
These aren’t fringe topics or compliance checkboxes, we’re seeing that they are central to how people experience work. When someone feels unsafe physically, emotionally, or psychologically it doesn’t just affect their performance, it affects their sense of belonging, their willingness to speak up and their ability to contribute.
When people feel supported, seen, and valued, they don’t just do their jobs but contribute to positively shaping the culture:
- They notice what’s broken and try to fix it;
- They share stories and offer care;
- They build trust across teams which isn’t confined to one role or rank.
Champions are emerging from every layer across departments, generations, and job titles.
Champion Communities Across Our Client Landscape
I recently sat with a group of clients to explore what it means to champion health, safety, and wellbeing. What surfaced wasn’t a list of initiatives but a desire to connect, to reflect, to make things better not just for themselves, but for everyone within the organisation.
Champions are asking the right questions, sharing stories, and nudging culture forward. They’re not all in leadership roles. Some are frontline workers, and some are just the person others go to when things feel hard. They share a common belief that work can be a place of care and that safety isn’t just about avoiding harm but about creating the conditions for people to thrive.
Societal Shifts Are Knocking at the Door
Outside the workplace, conversations about mental health, equity, and safety are louder than ever. Inside, employees are bringing those expectations with them. They’re not asking for perfection, they’re asking for honesty, leaders who listen and systems that can adapt. Organisations that respond with humility, not defensiveness, are finding something powerful: When you make space for people to care, they do.
Leaders are key
The shift towards demands for better health, safety, and wellbeing isn’t just about programmes or policies but it’s also about power and how it’s shared. Traditional leadership models often rely on hierarchy: decisions flow downward, voices are filtered, and authority is concentrated, but in today’s workplace, that structure is showing its cracks.
The future calls for adaptive leaders who understand that influence isn’t about titles, but about trust. They are asking:
- “What don’t I know?”
- “What am I missing?”
- “Who needs to be heard?”
It also means that they recognise that leadership can come from anywhere.
It could be the new hire who notices a safety risk or a long-timer who’s quietly supported colleagues through difficulties or just from the person who asks, “Are you okay?” and means it.
These are acts of leadership and we encourage our clients to see, support, and celebrate them.
“Not Misfits” — Just Early Signs of Change
At a recent community event, one of the champions pulled me aside.
He’d been quiet during the session, listening intently, scribbling notes, nodding at stories that resonated.
“Sometimes I wonder if we’re just a bunch of misfits, trying to make this place better for everyone. Is this even normal?”
It took me aback because I knew exactly what he meant. That feeling of swimming upstream, caring too much in a system that sometimes seems designed for detachment and wondering whether the desire to build something more human is naïve or necessary.
Workplace champions certainly aren't misfits. They are part of a growing community-based shift, and they are asking the questions that matter.
it’s not easy, but it’s needed and it's making a difference. Here at Tribe, we have enabled communities in many organisations to help nurture open and honest conversations, creating trust between people. See how we can help you.
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