introduction to workplace health promotion date name
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction to Workplace Health
PromotionDateName
Overview
• Why workplace health?• Benefits of workplace health• Comprehensive workplace health• Influencing change• Support, tools and resources
Why workplace health?
The reality•Employed Canadians spent about 36.6 hours/week at work in 2012 (Statistics Canada)•1 in 4 Canadians work at least 50 hrs/week
– Decade ago? Only 1 in 10 (CMHA)
Why workplace health?
The reality•Work-related stress linked to 50% increase in risk of heart disease (WHO, 2008)•58% of Canadians report “overload”
– Attempted balance of work, family, social and community responsibilities (CMHA)
Why workplace health?
The impact•National employee absenteeism cost estimated at over $16 billion annually (Conference Board of Canada, 2013)
Why workplace health?
Direct costs•Increased:
– Worker’s compensation– Disability costs– Drug costs
Why workplace health?
Indirect costs•Increased:
– Absenteeism– Replacement labour– Equipment damage
Why workplace health?
Opportunity costs•Decreased:
– Quality of work– Productivity– Innovation and creative thinking
Why workplace health?
•Healthy workplaces benefit employers, organizations, employees, and the community at large
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
Comprehensive Workplace Health
Health and Lifestyle Practices
Workplace Culture and Supportive
Environment
Occupational Health and Safety
Healthy Workplace
Comprehensive workplace health
Occupational health and safety •Reduce:
– Physical and chemical hazards in a workplace
– Work-related injury, illness and disability
Comprehensive workplace health
Health and lifestyle practices•Address individual behaviour change to reduce risk of worker illness •Promote healthy lifestyles
Comprehensive workplace health
Workplace culture & supportive environments
•Culture refers to people’s “way of life”, or the way they do things
Comprehensive workplace health
Workplace culture & supportive environments
•Changing or improving the workplace culture to influence employee health •Organizational change
Influencing change
• Healthy workplace change can be influenced through:– Awareness building– Education and skill building– Environmental support– Policy development
Influencing changeAwareness building
Example initiatives
Occupational health and safety
Raise awareness of safety equipment available in the workplace
Individual health practices
Use office e-mail to raise awareness of the benefits of eating a balanced diet
Workplace culture and supportive environments
Raise awareness of the importance of talking with management about concerns
Influencing change
Education and Skill BuildingExample initiatives
Occupational Health and Safety
Offer in-services on how to properly use new equipment
Individual Health Practices
Host staff lunch & learn session on how to read nutrition labels
Workplace Culture and Supportive Environments
Provide information and tips on effective communication
Influencing change
Environmental SupportExample initiatives
Occupational Health and Safety
Make sure that employees have access to proper and necessary safety equipment
Individual Health Practices
Provide healthy food choices in cafeteria and/or vending machines
Workplace Culture and Supportive Environments
Provide an employee and family assistance program (EFAP)
Influencing change
Policy DevelopmentExample initiatives
Occupational Health and Safety
Develop a policy for routine safety and equipment inspections
Individual Health Practices
Develop a policy to include healthy food options during all meetings and/or events
Workplace Culture and Supportive Environments
Develop a flex-time policy to accommodate employee family responsibilities
Influencing change
• Change can be influenced by:– Employers and management– Employees
Influence change
Management/employers•Encourage employee involvement in decision making•Listen to employees’ concerns•Demonstrate consistent and fair leadership style •Improve communication skills•Measure employee satisfaction regularly
Influence change
Employees•Join or create a workplace wellness committee•Take frequent stretch breaks•Address health concerns with management•Start a break-time walking club
Support, tools and resources
• www.nwhu.on.ca
• Northwestern Health Unit (1-800 #) – or local office
References
• Absent Workers Cost the Canadian Economy Billions. Conference Board of Canada. 2013. Retrieved on January 28, 2014 from: http://www.conferenceboard.ca/press/newsrelease/13-09-23/absent_workers_cost_the_canadian_economy_billions.aspx
• Canadian Mental Health Association (2013)
• CSDH (2008).Closing the gap in a generation: health equity through action on the social determinants of health. Final Report of the Commission on Social Determinants of Health. Geneva, World Health Organization
References
• The Health Communication Unit. Comprehensive Workplace Health Promotion Info Packs and Presentation. 2004.
• Workplace Health Promotion. World Health Organization. Retrieved on January 30, 2014 from: http://www.who.int/occupational_health/topics/workplace/en/
• Workplace. Mental Health Commission of Canada. Retrieved on January 28, 2014 from: http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/issues/workplace?routetoken=377732ab8e2a93c3244ed1d591781795&terminitial=30
