CREATING A HEALTHY WORKPLACE
Healthy work environments do not just happen, they must be created and promoted.
Objectives
• Analyze the effectiveness of Health Promotion Programs through the presentation and evaluation of research.
• Understand the benefits and importance Health Promotion Programs have on the employer and employee including increases in productivity, financial gain, and decreased absenteeism.
• Provide employers with the tools and skills necessary to implement Health Promotion Programing in their workplace.
What is Workplace Wellness?
• Any health promotion and protection strategies implemented at the worksite that includes programs, policies, benefits, environmental supports, and links to the surrounding community designed to encourage the health and safety of all employees.
Cdc. "Workplace Health Program Definition and Description." United States Center for Disease Control (n.d.): n. pag. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC. Web. 11 May 2015.
Why are Health Promotion Programs important in the workplace?
For Employers:
• Lower health care and disability costs
• Enhanced employee productivity
• Decreased rates of illness, injuries, and employee absenteeism
• Enhanced corporate image
• Improved employee morale, recruitment, and retention
• Increased organizational commitment and creation of a culture of health
For Employees:
• Increased health status, well-being, self-image, and self-esteem
• Improved coping skills with stress or other factors affecting health
• Lower costs for acute health issues
• Lower out of pocket costs for health care services (e.g., reduced premiums; deductibles; co-payments)
• Increased access to health promotion resources and social support
• Safer and more supportive work environment with improved job satisfaction
Where to start?
• Establish a Wellness Committee
• Administer an employee survey
• Assess needs
• Set goals
• Provide Health Screenings
• Create Workplace Health Program
• Evaluate Program
Areas to focus on?
• Physical Activity
• Nutrition
• Mental Health/Stress Management
• Safety and Prevention• Workplace• Driving• Tobacco Use
Physical Activity• Physical Commute
• At your Desk: • Standing Desk/Treadmill Desk• Fitness Ball• Desk Fitness Bands• Ankle Weights• Desk Stretches
• Fitness Breaks
• On the go meetings
• Take the Stairs
Physical Activities• Group Activities:
• Walking Clubs• Fitness challenges• Fitness center membership• Sports league• Fitness camps/Exercise
Classes• Group Classes• Minute to win it challenges
• Site Based Activities • Health Fairs• Blood Pressure Screenings• Cholesterol Screenings• Flu shots
Nutrition• Good Nutrition lowers the risk of:
• Heart Disease• Stroke• Some cancers• Diabetes• Osteoporosis• Hyperlipidemia (High Cholesterol)• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) • Obesity
• Emphasize• Fruits• Vegetables• Whole Grains• Low Fat Dairy• Lean meats• Limit
• Sodium• Sugars• Saturated Fat• Trans Fat
Nutrition• Small Changes
• Smaller Plates• Healthy Office Meetings
• Place nutrition food first• Keep food off of table• Cater from healthy restaurants
• Offer free educational materials• choosemyplate.gov• Nutrition.gov
• Vending Machine• Fruit Bowl• Weekly Recipes
• Support drinking water• Spill proof cups• Free water• Water/Ice Machine
• Lemon• Sugar free flavoring packets
• Healthier Break room options• Zero Calorie Sweeteners• Light/Fat Free Creamers
• Office Challenges• Recipe makeover • Best Sugar free fruit dessert• Best low calorie/fat vegetable dip
Mental Health and Stress Management
• Coping strategies• Nutrition
• Limit caffeine , sugars, and saturated fats
• Physical Activity• 30 Minutes per day (adults)
• Sleep• 7-9 hours (adults)
• Limit Smoking and Alcohol consumption
• Financial Management • Relaxation techniques• Quiet space• Plan regular breaks
What can you do as the employer?
• Improve communication• Define roles and responsibilities• Make communication friendly and efficient
• Consult your employees• Discuss scheduling and work rules• Opportunities for career development• Praise• Rewards and incentives
• Cultivate a friendly social climate• Opportunities for social interactions• Effective policies• Be consistent with organizational values
Safety and Prevention • Maintenance
• Cleanliness
• Policies• Seatbelts• Texting and Driving• Hand washing• Smoking• Alcohol consumption
• Drills• Fire• Tornado
• Dress• Comfortable nonskid shoes• Jewelry• Loose fitting attire• Protective clothing
• Education• Proper lifting technique• Food safety• Sun Safety
• Take breaks
What does a supportive wellness environment include?
• Onsite fitness facilities
• Bike Racks
• Healthy Food Options (vending machines)
• Flex time for exercise
• Incentives/rewards for wellness
• HR Policies
• Employee Involvement
• Reminders
• Benefits
• Employee Orientation
• Performance appraisals
• Supervisor/Leadership Support
Questions?Kayla Bakewell Agent in Training | Extension Service NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY Richland County 418 2nd Ave N Wahpeton ND 58075 phone: 701.642.7793 fax: 701.642.7774 [email protected]
Additional Sources Belluck, Pam. "Children's Life Expectancy Being Cut Short by Obesity." The New York Times. The New York Times, 16 Mar. 2005. Web. 19 May 2015.
"Benefits of Health Promotion Programs." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23 Oct. 2013. Web. 11 May 2015.
Cdc. "Workplace Health Program Definition and Description." United States Center for Disease Control (n.d.): n. pag. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC. Web. 11 May 2015.
"Depression." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23 Oct. 2013. Web. 15 May 2015.
"Healthy Workplaces." Health Harford, Creating the Healthiest Community in Maryland. Healthy Harford, 2015. Web. 11 May 2015. Friedman, Ron. "Regular Exercise Is Part of Your Job." Harvard Business Review. Harvard Business Publishing, 03 Oct. 2014. Web. 08 May 2015.
Martin, David S. "If You See It, You'll See It, Expert Says." CNN. Cable News Network, 21 Sept. 2007. Web. 19 May 2015.
"Mental Health Problems in the Workplace - Harvard Health." Harvard Health. Harvard Health Publications, 1 Feb. 2010. Web. 15 May 2015. "Office Exercise: Add More Activity to Your Workday." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 08 Feb. 2014. Web. 08 May 2015.
"Physical Activity." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 06 Nov. 2013. Web. 08 May 2015.
"Promoting Physical Activity at Work." Obesity Prevention Source. Harvard. T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 28 Oct. 2012. Web. 08 May 2015.
Segal, Jeanne, Melinda Smith, Lawrence Robinson, and Robert Segal. "Stress at Work." : Tips to Reduce and Manage Job and Workplace Stress. Help Guide, Apr. 2015. Web. 19 May 2015