8 Key Steps to a Healthy Workplace

DateName

Overview

• Introduction• The 8 Key Steps• It takes time• Benefits of workplace health• Support, tools and resources

Introduction

• No single “correct” approach to workplace health

• Steps are general guideline

The 8 Key Steps1. Identify a group and leader2. Program development meetings3. Management involvement and approval4. Workplace scan5. Employee input6. Identify areas of need/interest7. Develop a plan8. Getting started

The 8 Key Steps

Identifying a group and leader

•Approximately 4-12 people•Broad representation•Voluntary participation•Enthusiastic

The 8 Key Steps

Program development meetings

•Define workplace health and wellness•Develop vision and purpose•Develop and enhance wellness program

The 8 Key Steps

Management involvement and approval

•Necessary to create change•Demonstrates commitment to well-being•Supports employee commitment to workplace health

The 8 Key Steps

What’s already happening?

•Workplace environmental scan• Physical and social environment• Policies and procedures• Activities and programs in place

The 8 Key Steps

What do employees think?

Gather staff ideas and feedback: – Informal discussion– Suggestion box– Employee meeting/focus group– Conduct a survey

The 8 Key Steps

Determining areas of need and interest

•Use results from environmental scan and employee needs assessment•Validates information collection•Develops foundation for wellness planning

The 8 Key Steps

Develop a plan•Your action plan should:

– Meet the needs of all employees– Balance between what employee and

employer can do– Address concerns in all areas

• Occupational health and safety, workplace culture, and health practices

The 8 Key Steps

Develop a plan

•How, when and who•Creates accountability•SMART goals and objectives•Evaluation and analysis (on-going)

The 8 Key Steps

Develop a plan

•Awareness activities•Skill-building activities•Supportive work environments (policy)

The 8 Key Steps

Getting started

•Launch activities •Posters•Email•Pay stub inserts•Bulletin boards

The 8 Key Steps1. Identify a group and leader2. Program development meetings3. Management involvement and approval4. Workplace scan5. Employee input6. Identify areas of need/interest7. Develop a plan8. Getting started

It takes time

• First few months– Some positive changes– Employees engaging in healthy

activities during work hours

• Within one year– Evidence of increased job satisfaction,

commitment to work and improved productivity

It takes time

• It will be at least 3 years before you see any quantitative improvements in health related costs

The Benefits of Workplace Health

• Employers and the organization• Employees• Society, families and communities

Benefits of workplace health

For the organization•A well-managed health and safety program•Positive and caring image•Improved staff morale and productivity•Reduced staff turnover and absenteeism•Reduced health care/insurance costs•Reduced risk of fines and litigation

Benefits of workplace health

For employees•Safe and healthy work environment•Enhanced self-esteem and improved health•Reduced stress Improved morale and sense of well-being•Increased job satisfaction•Increased skills for health protection

Benefits of workplace health

For families and the community•Transfer of healthy habits from work to home•Healthy families may be more likely to become involved in community•Reduced health care cost

Support, tools and resources

• www.nwhu.on.ca

• Northwestern Health Unit– 1-800-830-5978– Local office

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. October 2013. “Workplace Health Promotion”. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/businesscase/benefits/ (February 4, 2013)

• The Health Communication Unit. 2004. “Comprehensive Workplace Health Promotion Info Packs and Presentation”.

• Mental Health Works. “A Guide to Developing and Implementing the Workplace Health System in Medium and Large Businesses”. Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario. Retrieved from: http://www.mentalhealthworks.ca/employers/free-resources/workplace-health-system/guide-for-medium-and-large-businesses (February 3, 2014 ).

• The Harvard Business Review. 2010. “What’s the Hard Return on Employee Wellness Programs?”. Retrieved from: http://hbr.org/2010/12/whats-the-hard-return-on-employee-wellness-programs/ar/1 (February 4, 2014 ).

• The Health Communication Unit. 2011. “Health Promotion 102: Workplace Health Promotion”. Retrieved from: http://www.thcu.ca/workplace/hp102/index.cfm