Navigating Wellbeing Fatigue and Building Sustainable Workplace Support – with Tom Curran

Navigating Wellbeing Fatigue and Building Sustainable Workplace Support - with Tom Curran

Welcome to another episode of Kara Connect, where we explore how better conversations create better workplaces.

Our guest today is Tom Curran, Senior Vice President of International Benefits and Wellbeing at Lockton, the world’s largest independent insurance brokerage.

Tom brings a unique dual background in clinical healthcare and commercial strategy, shaped by years of advising organizations across sectors, including the NHS, Formula 1, and professional sports, on navigating the complex landscape of employee wellbeing.

In this episode, Tom shares a thoughtful look at the realities of designing impactful wellbeing strategies, the limits of quick-fix solutions, and the importance of practical, human-centred decision-making. We delve into how organizations can move beyond “tick-the-box” wellbeing programs and embrace evidence-based approaches that meaningfully support their people.

We discuss:

• Tom’s career journey from Chartered Accountant to healthcare professional, and how his dual lens shapes client conversations
• The key challenges HR teams face today  -from cost containment to vendor complexity and wellness fatigue
• Why the “ill-being” conversation engages leaders more than traditional wellbeing framing
• The struggle to shift from reactive mental health support to preventative care – and why ROI matters
• What “relevance” means for workplace mental health initiatives, and how to avoid wasted investments
• Lessons learned from secret shopper tests on Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and why communication is crucial
• Insights on technology, data, and AI – from wearable devices to digital therapeutics – and when tech investment misses the mark
• Sector differences and the reality of absenteeism, presenteeism, and the importance of managing sick leave thoughtfully
• How transparent communication and internal marketing can bridge silos and build trust
• Practical steps employers can take to support employees both before and during sick leave, particularly for mental health
• The cultural and organizational drivers that shape wellbeing, and why there’s no one-size-fits-all solution

This conversation is packed with practical insights for HR leaders, people managers, and anyone seeking to create a workplace culture where wellbeing support is genuine, relevant, and sustainable. Tom’s honest reflections help us rethink what really works—and what organizations need to do differently—to build resilience and care for their people.

For show notes and free bonus resources, visit www.KaraConnect.com/podcast.

About Kara Connect

Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect’s Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.