Most organisations now recognise that employee wellbeing matters. The challenge is finding programmes that actually work, not just tick-box training that employees sit through and forget, but something that creates genuine, measurable change.

I’ve spent over 25 years working with organisations on leadership development and employee engagement. One thing I’ve learned: people don’t struggle because they lack motivation or willpower. They struggle because they haven’t been given practical tools to respond differently when stress, pressure, and difficult emotions show up.

That’s why I created The Art of Living a Satisfied Life, an evidence-based programme grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) that helps employees develop psychological flexibility. In practical terms, that means learning to move towards what matters, even when work and life feel overwhelming.

What Happened When We Piloted This Employee Wellbeing Programme

I recently ran a pilot programme with employees at Clarke, Ballymena, and the results genuinely exceeded expectations:

• 100% of participants were satisfied or very satisfied with the programme
• Net Promoter Score of +60, 60% said they would actively recommend it to colleagues, with zero detractors
• 100% rated the one-to-one coaching session as valuable. In fact, several participants found it so beneficial that they requested additional sessions
• 100% found the content easy to understand , no jargon, no complexity, just practical application
• 40% have already noticed positive changes in their lives and this was immediately after completing the programme

For context, an NPS of +60 is considered excellent. It means your employees won’t just complete the training they’ll engage and talk positively about it with their colleagues.

What Employees Actually Said

Statistics tell part of the story, but the real value shows in what participants learned. When I asked them to share one key thing they took away, their responses went straight to the heart of what psychological flexibility offers:

“That I, myself, am the most important person in my life.”

This isn’t selfishness — it’s the foundation of sustainable performance. People who look after themselves have more to give at work and at home.

“Life outside working hours is short, and this time is valuable and needs protected for what’s important and not wasted. Health/Family/me time all need given time.”

When employees gain clarity about their priorities, they stop resenting work and start creating healthier boundaries — which actually improves their focus and productivity during working hours.

“An understanding of the unwanted stuff that shows up, and what actions and behaviours help to provide relief from it. Also, gaining clarity that work-related stress is the biggest factor in determining my mood and mental state.”

This kind of self-awareness is exactly what prevents burnout. When people can name what’s happening and have practical strategies to respond, they’re far less likely to reach breaking point.

“The key thing I learnt was understanding my thoughts/feelings and how to move forward with them, and learn ways to open up and become more confident.”

What the Employee Wellbeing Programme Involves

The Art of Living a Satisfied Life combines self-paced online learning with personalised coaching support:

Seven online modules covering psychological flexibility, values clarification, managing difficult thoughts and emotions, and building workable relationships

Home practice exercises to reinforce learning between modules

A 75-minute one-to-one coaching session using the ACT Matrix, this was consistently rated as the most valuable element, with participants appreciating the personal guidance and the chance to apply the concepts to their own situation

The programme is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), an evidence-based approach with strong research support. As the only Certified ACT and ProSocial Matrix Facilitator on the Island of Ireland, I bring a decade of experience applying these principles with individuals and organisations.

The self-paced format means minimal disruption to working hours, while the coaching element ensures employees get personalised support rather than generic content.

Why This Matters for Your Organisation

Employee stress and burnout aren’t just individual problems; they show up in absenteeism, turnover, reduced productivity, and disengagement. The cost of replacing an employee typically runs to several months’ salary; the cost of presenteeism (people showing up but not functioning well) is harder to measure but often greater.

Investing in a programme that actually delivers results, not just completion certificates, makes commercial sense. And when 60% of participants actively recommend it to colleagues, you have built-in momentum for wider rollout.

Interested in Running a Pilot?

If you’re looking for an employee wellbeing programme with measurable outcomes, not just tick-box training, I’d welcome a conversation about running a pilot in your organisation.

A pilot allows you to test the programme with a small group, see the results for yourself, and make an informed decision about wider rollout.

Get in touch at julie@julieallenconsulting.com or call +44 28 9042 4746 to discuss what a pilot might look like for your team.