Curtis on inclusion in healthy and productive workplaces

Curtis has dedicated his career to fostering safe, happy, and diverse workplaces.

As part of APM Group, Konekt specialises in workplace rehabilitation and injury prevention, helping organisations across Australia maintain a healthy and engaged workforce.

Curtis, general manager of operations for Konekt in Perth, has expertise in implementing inclusive business practices and ensuring employees with disability are well supported.

"If you boil it down to people, people being well in the workplace, you know if people are well and they're engaged in their work, that they're going to be more productive," Curtis explains.

His approach emphasises the importance of investing in the wellbeing of employees to enhance overall productivity and reduce absenteeism.

One of the key strategies Curtis advocates for is primary intervention.

"In an ideal world, organisations would invest in and spend time and energy in the preventative space," he says.

This involves embedding inclusive hiring practices and supportive measures from the very beginning, ensuring that all employees feel valued and understood.

For organisations looking to support their employees, especially around mental health, Curtis suggests starting with leadership.

"Investing in your leaders is probably a really good place to start. The better equipped your leaders are to identify and understand the workforce, the better your chances are of identifying where things might not be going so well," he advises.

Training in awareness and inclusivity is crucial for leaders to proactively accommodate the diverse needs of their workforce.

Curtis has seen firsthand the positive impact of these strategies.

"We want organisations to be investing in the front-end preventative space, but also reaching out for support when it is required can create pretty good return," he says.

By fostering a supportive environment, businesses can not only improve employee wellbeing but also see significant financial benefits.

Curtis has observed the profound difference that inclusive practices can make.

"The employees are always very well taken care of and in turn, it makes them better able to deliver the services out to the communities as well," he shares.

This holistic approach ensures that employees feel supported and valued, which in turn enhances their performance and commitment.

Curtis's passion for diversity and inclusion is evident in his work.

"We need our leaders and senior management to understand that we are and we should be working with a diverse workforce and that we need to work proactively to accommodate their needs," he emphasises.

By embracing diversity and investing in the wellbeing of their employees, businesses can create a more productive, engaged, and harmonious work environment.

Curtis's experience with Konekt and APM highlights the tangible benefits of these practices, demonstrating that a happy, safe, and diverse workplace is not just a goal but a pathway to success.

Ellie Cole’s Couch

In this incredible series, Ellie sat down with team members from across APM to discuss how their own experience with disability motivates and inspires them to support people with disability.

See more of these conversations and how APM’s diverse and dedicated team members deliver on our shared purpose of enabling better lives, on the Our people page.