Workplace Health
Today’s employees face the challenge of balancing the competing demands of work and personal life. Traditionally workplace health programs have focused on raising awareness and educating employees. The workplace has the potential to develop policies and provide an environment that supports employees' efforts to lead a healthier lifestyle.
Promoting health in your organization doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive or time-consuming. Any organization, large or small, can make plans to create a positive organizational culture.
Organizational Culture
Every organization has a culture; it is the overall feeling of employees both physically and mentally while at work. When there is a sense of belonging, job satisfaction, and a positive work environment, people are more productive.
Most Canadians spend half of their waking hours at work. This makes the workplace an ideal environment to support and complement healthy choices for their employees. There are many facets involved in creating a positive organizational culture. This can be achieved through developing policies and an environment that support a healthy lifestyle along with the important elements of organizational culture.
What are the benefits of creating and supporting a healthy workplace?
- Increased productivity
- Increased employee morale
- Reduced absenteeism
- Reduced injuries and/or illness
- Reduced employee turnover
- Improved job satisfaction
- Improved company image
Workplace Health Strategies
- Awareness Raising
Activities that increase employees' general knowledge about a health topic in order to help them make healthy lifestyle choices.
- Use bulletin boards to feature resources related to healthy lifestyles
- Include short articles in internal newsletters or staff e-mails
- Dedicate an accessible area to display pamphlets and resources regarding healthy lifestyles
- Skill Building
Activities that provide employees with the skills needed in order to change and support positive behaviour.
- Find out what healthy lifestyle topic employees are interested in and offer presentations or workshops
- Encourage employees to participate in healthy lifestyles contests
- Offer incentive programs
- Creating a Supportive Environment
Ongoing, sustainable activities which encourage participation in changing health practices and behaviours, and strive to make it easier for employees to make healthy choices.
- Have flexible working hours to allow employees to balance work-life activities (i.e. to participate in physical activities, to support breastfeeding mothers, to attend medical appointments, etc.)
- Offer appropriate healthy foods in workplace cafeterias, vending machines and at workplace functions
- Provide on-going education for management and employees
- Offer a workplace quit smoking program/support group
- Healthy Workplace Policy
Workplace policies that are designed to define and support healthy lifestyle choices. These policies help to clarify roles and expectations between employees and employers.
- Have policies regarding food choices catering for meetings and vending machines
- Create a breastfeeding supportive workplace policy.
Health Topics to Support an Organizational Culture
Take a moment to explore the following toolkits which can guide your organization in creating a supportive environment and a strong organizational culture.
 Healthy Eating
Physical Activity
Sun Safety
Early Detection of Cancer
Tobacco
Work Stress
Join our Workplace Contact List!
Click on the link below and provide your organization name and contact information for updates on our workplace health program.
Click here (laura.dougherty@nbdpshu.ca)
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