If you’re leading a team in Occupational Health, you’ve probably navigated more than one big shift lately – whether it’s a contract restructure, a new system, or a change in how services are delivered.

Change has always been part of the job. We know some teams seem to handle it more smoothly than others. From our years recruiting in healthcare, public services, manufacturing and beyond, we’ve seen what makes a difference. It’s rarely the glossy change plan. It’s what happens on the ground and how well people are supported when things start to move.

Why Change Feels Harder Than It Should
Research suggests most change programmes don’t achieve what they set out to do. But it’s not usually the plan that’s flawed – it’s the impact on the people delivering it.

From what we hear in OH teams, the challenges are familiar:

• Too many changes at once.
• Communication that comes too late or not at all.
• Staff pulled in different directions without clarity.

Most people aren’t against change. They’re just already working at full stretch. When experienced colleagues leave or go off sick, the strain intensifies.

What We’ve Seen Work
The teams that cope best tend to spot when someone’s overloaded, explain the ‘why’ behind changes, and make space for questions before expecting action. Small shifts like this, as behavioural science shows, can make adaptation quicker and less painful.

Where Recruitment Fits In
In our role, we’re not advising on change management. But we do see how the right hire can steady a service under pressure. It’s not just about adding capacity. It’s about bringing in people who can stay calm under uncertainty, keep communication flowing, and support colleagues rather than add to the noise.

We’ve helped OH providers recruit during restructures, leadership changes and system roll-outs. For senior or clinical lead roles especially, we look for people who can:

• Add stability, not tension.
• Work with ambiguity without disruption.
• Step up and lead when the path isn’t fully mapped.
  

Questions Worth Asking
If you’re in the middle of change or know it’s coming, it’s worth checking:

• Can your current team deliver day-to-day while transition happens?
• Are your people equipped to work through uncertainty?
• Is there someone ready to step up if needed?

If there are gaps, that’s where we can help.

At Recruiting Heads, we work with OH providers to find hires who bring calm, clarity and capability to complex environments. If you need to strengthen your team ahead of what’s next, we’re ready to talk.