Interview with Sharon Richens, Head of Customer at Altius Group
Q: Sharon, organisations are increasingly prioritising employee wellbeing, but many struggle with fragmented approaches. How does Altius help?
Sharon Richens: Many businesses still treat health and safety, mental wellbeing, and performance as separate issues—different providers, different programs, different outcomes. That disjointed approach creates gaps. At Altius, we see wellbeing as a continuum, which is why we developed the Wellbeing Spectrum™. It’s a framework that integrates prevention, intervention, and performance optimisation into one seamless solution.
Q: Can you explain the Wellbeing Spectrum™ in practice?
Sharon Richens: Absolutely. The Spectrum starts with proactive health—think workplace audits, education, and early intervention to reduce risks before they escalate. Then we move into targeted support, like clinical rehab or mental health programs, for employees who need it. Finally, we focus on sustained performance—helping people not just recover but thrive through resilience training and injury prevention.
The key is that it’s all connected. For example, our digital platform, PeopleSense Online, lets employers track trends and intervene early, while our clinical team ensures no one falls through the cracks.
It’s about keeping people healthy, productive, and engaged long-term and not just ticking compliance boxes.
Q: What’s the impact for employers?
Sharon Richens: We’ve seen measurable outcomes—fewer injuries, faster return-to-work rates, and higher engagement.
For example:
- Disability Service Provider reduced workplace injuries by 48% over 18 months after we implemented tailored WHS interventions, including gap analyses and culture surveys.
- NSW Regional Council cut their open workers’ compensation claims by 45% in just 5 months through our outsourced injury management and RTW coordination.
- Disability Service Provider reduced paid days lost by 93% (from 1,744 to 120 annually) and slashed claims payments from $544K to $109K over three years after implementing our rehabilitation model.
- Manufacturing company reported a 30.55% reduction in workers’ compensation payouts within 6 months, alongside measurable improvements in employee confidence and return-to-work rates.
But it’s not just about the numbers. Employers tell us that having a single, trusted partner simplifies everything. No more juggling multiple providers or wondering if your programs are working. You get clarity, consistency, and results.
Q: How does this align with broader business goals?
Sharon Richens: Think of wellbeing as a performance driver instead of a cost centre. When you reduce absenteeism, you’re protecting productivity. When you support mental health, you’re safeguarding your employer brand. And when you invest in prevention, you’re future-proofing your workforce.
More than just complying, our customers are outperforming. That’s the real competitive edge.
Q: Any final advice for employers?
Sharon Richens: Start with a conversation. We often begin with a WHS Gap Analysis or Psychosocial Risk Assessment—to identify blind spots. From there, we tailor a solution that fits. Because every workforce is different, but every business deserves a strategy that works.
To learn more about the Wellbeing Spectrum™, visit Altius.au or contact our experts.
