FIFO has traditionally focused on supporting the worker on site — and rightly so.

But there’s another part of workforce wellbeing we cannot afford to ignore:

The family waiting at home.

Because when things aren’t going well at home, they don’t stay there when someone flies back to site.

The worry, relationship strain, parenting pressures, financial stress and mental load go with them.

And the research matters.

A Murdoch University FIFO study of 559 workers and partners found personal support — including family, friends, colleagues and FIFO-specific support — was rated the most useful form of support.

Australian research has also found mining workers report the highest levels of work-family conflict across Australian industries, with work-family conflict associated with psychological strain.

But this isn’t only a wellbeing conversation.

It’s a business conversation.

Gallup reports highly engaged teams achieve 23% higher profitability, while SHRM cites estimates that replacing an employee can cost approximately 50–200% of their annual salary.

That’s why The Backyard Peace Project is taking a whole-family approach to FIFO wellbeing.

We provide FIFO workers, partners and families with access to:

• Mental health and emotional wellbeing support

• Parenting and relationship support

• Health, lifestyle and resilience resources

• Financial wellbeing education

• Expert-led live sessions and practical tools

• A dedicated FIFO community where families can connect with people who understand this life

And mining companies can share this resource with their workforce at absolutely no cost to the organisation.

No new internal program to build.

No additional wellbeing team to employ.

No complicated rollout.

As a long-term FIFO wife, I know what it’s like to hold a family together while the person you love is hundreds or thousands of kilometres away.

I also know the difference it makes when an employer recognises that the family matters.

I’m excited to be having conversations with forward-thinking mining companies that recognise the potential of this approach and are partnering with us.

Because supporting FIFO families can support retention, engagement, psychological wellbeing, productivity — and ultimately, the bottom line.

If you work in mining, HR, People & Culture, psychosocial safety or workforce wellbeing, I’d love to talk.

Let’s stop supporting half the FIFO equation. Let’s support the whole family.

#FIFO #Mining #PsychosocialSafety #EmployeeWellbeing #FIFOFamily #EmployeeRetention #thebackyardpeaceproject

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