From Training to Action: Building concrete pathways for Workplace Well-Being

Geoscientists contribute every day to advancing the understanding of the Earth and to supporting decisions that deeply affect people, communities, and ecosystems. Their responsibility extends beyond scientific excellence stricto sensu: it also involves ethical awareness, attention to social impacts and care for the human dimension of scientific practice.

In this context, training plays a fundamental role in fostering a healthy, safe and efficient working environment by promoting awareness, mutual respect and shared responsibility within the scientific community.

Organizational well-being is commonly defined as an organization’s ability to promote and maintain the physical, psychological and social well-being of its employees. Studies have shown that the most effective institutions are those characterized by satisfied staff and a welcoming, participatory internal climate. Motivation, collaboration, involvement, effective information flow, flexibility and trust contribute significantly to workers’ mental and physical health and, in a research environment, ultimately enhance the quality and societal impact of research. Achieving genuine well-being requires the combined contribution of multiple actors, policies and institutional frameworks.

At the European level, several initiatives and projects have paved the way for the implementation of concrete policies aimed at preventing gender-based violence, harassment and discrimination in research and higher education environments. In parallel, efforts within the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) seek to reform research evaluation systems toward a more inclusive direction. These reforms aim to recognize a broader range of research outputs and professional profiles, valuing contributions beyond traditional publications, such as datasets, software, teaching, mentorship, and outreach, while striving for more transparent and bias-aware evaluation processes.

Within this framework, this contribution presents the case study of the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), a leading Italian Research Institution that has undertaken targeted training initiatives addressing anti-discrimination, mobbing and workplace distress. These initiatives recognize education and capacity building as key drivers for well-being, inclusion, and organizational effectiveness. As part of this approach, two employees have completed dedicated training programs to serve as Confidential Counsellors and are engaged in continuous professional development to remain effective, responsive to emerging challenges, and aligned with evolving social, ethical and organizational contexts. Training has led to tangible outcomes by translating knowledge into practice and activating a collaborative internal network that supports concrete actions toward a healthier and more effective working environment.

Furthermore, a collaborative framework has been established among research institutions to enable the exchange of Confidential Counsellors, fostering mutual support, shared expertise and cross-institutional learning.

This document highlights the results of this cooperative network, emphasizing how the sharing of best practices and ethical principles can provide a robust support system for individuals experiencing harassment or workplace distress.

Synergies among well-being stakeholders have been further strengthened by organizing thematic information days and workshops, contributing to the development of a shared culture of respect and institutional health.

Ensuring dignity and protection in the workplace is not merely a legal obligation but a strategic investment. A research environment grounded in respect, transparency, and care fosters a more responsible scientific community and delivers long-term benefits to society as a whole.