How Wellness Supports a Healthier, More Effective Workforce and Why it Matters

A message from Steve Jackson, Chief Probation Officer of San Joaquin County

I think it is safe to say, the healthier your workforce is, the more effective they will be at work. A healthy workforce is more likely to be productive and engaged, however, it is not just physical health that plays a role in an employee’s effectiveness. Organizational culture also plays a significant role in shaping employee morale and overall well-being. When employees feel supported and valued in the workplace, they are more likely to be motivated and engaged in their work. This is where wellness programs can make a difference. By offering services that address the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of employees, organizations can create a positive and supportive work environment.

My point in mentioning all of this is, how do you teach an officer to unwind this heightened sense of awareness after years of service, and what type of wellness program can effectively teach them to disengage and relax on their own? Unfortunately, in law enforcement, we often witness individuals who struggle to cope. They turn to alcohol and other forms of drugs and medication to force their mind and bodies into shut down mode, whether it is to sleep, maintain a positive attitude, or just to deal with the factors of life. 

It is important departments look at wellness from a broad lens. A comprehensive wellness plan that goes beyond traditional employee assistance programs is essential and must addresses every aspect of an officer’s well-being – mental, physical, and physiological. This may include dietary guidance, regular exercise, individual and family counseling options, medical evaluations, and access to community resources. When combined with peer support, chaplaincy services, and employee assistance programs, such a program can have a significant impact on the overall health and effectiveness of the organization’s workforce.

Lastly, it must be acknowledged that achieving these goals is no simple task. I would not be writing this if I did not feel that I have fallen short in supporting my organization or always provided the right care for employees when they are suffering. Nevertheless, I am dedicated to fighting for wellness within my organization and am committed to continuously evolving in this area. I am open to learning from other organizations and implementing suggestions from our staff. If anyone has discovered the secret to success in this regard, please share your insights with us…

Why Wellness Matters in Probation Work

We have all heard that Probation Officers play a unique role in the law enforcement community. I am here to say it again and reiterate how they are even more unique when it comes to staying well and being healthy in their scope of work.  So, what exactly is wellness in this context? It’s not just about hitting the gym or eating kale (although those things are great too). It’s about finding ways to stay physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy while working in a demanding field like probation.

Unlike traditional law enforcement work, we [probation officers] not only enforce the law, but we also provide resources, support, and supervision in an effort to help individuals and their families make positive changes in their lives. The nature of our work requires us to dedicate ourselves to helping others overcome trauma, criminal behavior, mental health issues, and substance abuse. In doing so, we sometimes neglect our own well-being.

As the Chief, I have come to realize the importance of wellness for myself and my team. It is important to understand that probation officers are real people too, who often set aside their own struggles for the day and turn their attention to their clients, the courts, or our partner agencies.  While I have my own ideas about what wellness entails, I understand the need to consider different perspectives and take a holistic approach to implementing wellness programs within our department. My agency is continuously working to improve our wellness initiatives, knowing that investing in the well-being of our officers will ultimately benefit the individuals we serve.

Wellness can also be a game changer for Juvenile Detention Officers who work inside institutions.  As an officer working inside of a Juvenile Hall or Camp, you are not only there to supervise and keep kids safe, but you also serve as a role model, mentor, teacher, counselor and even a parent figure.  Many of us have trouble keeping up with this in our own lives, let alone, our profession. What other classification in the Probation profession are officers expected to essentially ‘live’ with their caseload of kids?  Juvenile detention officers are always on, trying to stay one step ahead to ensure safety throughout the day.  Although, admittedly, I don’t think we (I) do it well, I think it is important to have a wellness program that can cross classification boundaries between juvenile detention officer, probation officer and support personnel. If the expectation is for juvenile detention staff to read my messages, how could they possibly do that while maintaining a unit full of youth?  In addition, their days off are frequently cut short for training or mandated shifts, leading to exhaustion and a shortened rest period. I am hopeful that through my writing, department personnel see we (I) care about their overall wellness, and that the launch of our new WorkCare-Wellness Solutions partnership will be an effective tool in the pursuit of wellness.

I have come to realize there must be a personal element of healing for me in expressing myself through writing, as I frequently emphasize the topic of wellness in my department-wide communications. You will see in my messages below, a recurring theme surrounding the topic.

Back in July of 2022, during Pretrial, Probation and Parole Services Week, I shared the following thoughts with my department about the importance of wellness.

“As we’ve celebrated together over the past two weeks, I have really enjoyed speaking with some of you about things outside of the normal course of our jobs.  Many of these discussions were about our hobbies, our kids or grandkids activities, or places we are going, or recently been… Today’s Friday Focus involves hobbies and the impact having outside interests has on our work/personal lives.  As I’ve mentioned many times, our profession is brutal and can leave you with lasting trauma that may fester years later or immediately.  In my humble opinion, one simple way to deal with work stressors is to have some hobbies.  Obviously, there are several other ways to deal with the impacts of our profession, but this one is simple to implement.”

In another email sent only a few months after the one above, I spoke about an encounter I had with an employee outside of work and how that staff told me about a traumatic family event they had recently experienced. I left the encounter feeling encouraged by the moment of strength and resolve the conversation took to have and realized that sometimes a storyteller may have more of an impact on the listener than they realize; just as having the courage to speak about a traumatic event has some healing power of its own.

Again, in December 2022, I shared with my department, a Lexipol, “Today’s Tip” titled Managing Stress in Public Safety. The video focused on leaders tending to the wellness of their staff. I reminded our staff that despite our department having a robust Peer Support team and County Mental Health Network in place, it is crucial that we regularly check in on our peers, listen to them, and be mindful of any personal struggles they may be facing. I encouraged them to identify those who may be struggling, care for them, and get them connected with resources that may assist. I ended by thanking them, for putting the human nature (with employees) in a job where we place so much humanity in others (our clients).

Simply put, officers often carry a heavy burden over the success and failures of their clients throughout their careers.  While tragic endings may seem more common than success stories, every officer has experienced moments of validation when former clients express gratitude for the impact they had on their lives. Although few and far between, these are often the stories that help validate our careers and remind us that the work we do matters. It is my belief that by prioritizing self-care and implementing effective wellness programs, we can make a positive impact on the lives of our employees and the individuals we work with.