Welfare Is Gold: A Harassment Prevention Strategy

Transforming Workplace Culture Through Design

In today's world, creating a safe and inclusive work environment is of utmost importance. Harassment prevention is a crucial aspect of this, and one design team has taken on the challenge with a unique and innovative approach. The "Welfare Is Gold" project, developed by the Tekio Collective Intelligence Agency, aims to transform workplace culture and prevent harassment in one of Mexico's largest mining groups.

The inspiration for this design came from a participatory process that involved understanding the complexity of harassment in a stressful environment. The design team worked closely with employees to grasp the local jargon and challenges faced by the workforce. To effectively communicate the message, cartoons were used to portray everyday situations where a shadow represents the underlying danger of aggressive behaviors that are often normalized.

One of the unique properties of the "Welfare Is Gold" strategy is its scale. With a cultural transformation that impacts up to 8000 National Union Employees and contractors directly, and over 19,000 employees indirectly, this project has the potential to create a significant positive change. The strategy includes the integration of Welfare Commissions, an Attention Protocol, an intensive Communication Program, and a web app that delivers personalized protocols.

The realization of this design involved the production of both printed and digital materials. A web app was developed to facilitate a participatory workshop where personalized protocols could be co-created and downloaded by each of the more than 55 contractor companies. Creative memes and adaptations of popular songs were also used to convey meaningful messages and enhance distribution.

The "Welfare Is Gold" project encompasses various communication materials, including printed versions of the Protocol, infographics, animated short videos, posters, and memes. The web app generates personalized protocols for each contractor as downloadable PDFs, allowing for flexibility in dimensions and customization.

Since the launch of the harassment protocol, trust in the process has grown, resulting in several cases being successfully resolved for the victims through joint efforts with the Union. The process ensures confidentiality, efficiency, justice, and accessibility, leading to a massive cultural transformation that is free of harassment in the workplace.

The "Welfare Is Gold" project was initiated on August 17, 2020, and is an ongoing endeavor to integrate up to 8000 employees of the mining group in Mexico by 2021. Extensive research, including on-site anthropological studies, legal reviews, and participatory sessions with local employees, was conducted to develop and validate the Harassment Prevention Protocol.

Overcoming the challenge of changing a centuries-old mining tradition and managing communication among multiple stakeholders, the "Welfare Is Gold" project stands as a testament to the power of design in creating positive change. By prioritizing the well-being of employees and fostering a culture of respect, this project is transforming lives and setting a new standard for workplace environments.

The "Welfare Is Gold" project was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Meta, Strategic, and Service Design category in 2021. This prestigious accolade recognizes designs that exhibit strong technical and creative skills, contribute to quality of life improvements, and make the world a better place.