Healthy Workplace Program Ideas

 Health Related Services

• access to an EAP

• on-site medical services
• workplace medical examinations
• health risk screening and counselling – blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood glucose clinics, breast self-exams, thyroid and/or bone density screening
• medical surveillance programs
• immunization
• disability case management
• active rehabilitation
• return to work initiatives
• self-care education (see health living programs)
• disease management information and presentations – diabetes, stomach disorder, arthritis, asthma, allergy, pain control, foot and back care programs, chronic fatigue or migraines
• health on-line with continuous learning/reminders/tips
• daily/weekly/monthly email tips or news bulletins
• fitness appraisals
• health and safety fairs

Work/Family/Life Programs

• childcare programs and information
• elder care programs and information
• personal responsibility leave
• alternative work arrangements such as telecommuting, job sharing
• work-family-life transition support
• anger management
• family counselling
• financial counselling
• advertising and promotion of community support groups
• cafeteria take-out program
• tax preparation
• will, power of attorney, and estate experts
• motivational speakers
• bereavement information
• shift work and lifestyle programs
• limit overtime
• balance on-line suggestions such as SC Johnson
• other information sessions on chemical free lawn and garden care, menopause, infertility, lice prevention, poisoning,

 General Working Environment Strategies

• violence in the workplace
• equity in the workplace
• harassment policy and training
• literacy/numeracy programs
• professional development and skill enhancing training
• air quality and sick building testing
• smoke-free workplace
• hazard control and WHIMS Training
• injury prevention, CPR/First Aid, emergency response programs
• improved signage
• installing guard rails
• work station design, ergonomic and repetitive strain reduction training
• health and safety written and implemented policies
• Safety Audits
• access to bike racks, showers and change areas
• make stairs attractive and post signs to encourage their use
• proper lighting,

Workplace Culture Strategies

• clear and accurate job descriptions
• supportive appraisal system
• employee empowerment through decision-making, pace of work and connection to corporate goals, (on-line tools that connect to goals such as Baxter Healthcare)
• two-way communication training
• ‘no lunch hour’ meeting rules unless it is a lunch ‘n’ learn
• absenteeism and attendance program
• career tracking, (on-line tools like Pfizer)
• job rotation, special project assignments
• time management

Management training

• scheduling
• incentive and recognition programs
• workload impact
• communication and feedback skills
• conflict management skills and support skills
• priority setting
• all of which are apart of the four employment relationship factors (trust, commitment, influence, and communication – from Canadian Policy Research Network)

**The creation of health or harm within an organization depends on how work is managed.

Workplace Culture Strategies must address high demand/low control, high effort/low reward, fairness, purpose and trust.

Team Support Building

• fitness breaks
• team challenges
• corporate sport teams such as soccer, volleyball, and hockey
• use employees who are in-house experts e.g., gardening, yoga, construction

Healthy Living Programs

• stress management and mental health programs (depression, SAD, GAD)
• substance use and abuse programs
• smoking cessation and control
• nutrition counselling and weight control programs and counselling
• disease prevention information (see health related services)
• active living and fitness programs such as a aerobics, walking or cycling clubs
• self-defense
• adding juice dispensing machines and water coolers and vending machines with low-calorie snack choices
• colour-coded cafeteria choices
• healthy recipes on-line
• healthy or low-cost cooking programs
• healthy shopping instruction
• relaxation training
• naturopaths, homeopaths, herbal remedies and vitamins
• chiropractors
• relaxation and energy specialists
• stretching classes such as yoga, tai chi
• active living challenges
• sleep, snoring and alertness
• encouraging light breaks
• information sessions on insect bites, memory enhancement, motion sickness, nose bleeds, healthy skin, frost bite, gingivitis and mouth care, hair loss, ear infections, fever, psoriasis, and TMJ, varicose veins, and shingles

**Healthy Living Programs should assist in the development of self-efficacy which means that the individual has a senses that they can influence the course of events in their normal daily life, that they can deal with their normal consequences, that they feel confident and sure of themselves.

Supplemental Health and Dental Benefits

• massage
• orthotics
• orthodontics
• fitness subsidies
• cessation and weight control partial reimbursement incentives
• safety shoe reimbursement
• out-of-country coverage
• vision care
• alternative therapy coverage

 (Compiled by Beverly Beuermann-King, Work Smart Live Smart, 2002)

10 Tips For Promoting Organizational Health

1.    Encourage employee fitness through lunchtime walking, fitness memberships and incentive programs.

2.    Promote “deskercises”to reduce strain from keyboarding, sitting, and lack of fresh air and as a way to increase energy and focus.

3.    Reduce caffeine and encourage higher water consumption. Water can help fight the afternoon 'lull' and boost the immune system.

4.    Get them outside but not for a smoke-break. Light regulates energy.

5.    Stress the importance of healthy snacks and lunches to increase focus, creativity and energy.

6.    Promote teambuilding through meetings, projects, training and activities. Support from co-workers reduces stress and gives perspective. Return to work initiatives should include providing support and understanding to those who have been away.

7.    Encourage effective communication through openess, sharing, and respect even on the 'tough' issues, performance reviews and brainstorming.

8.    Provide training workshops on stress-related and health-related issues. Employees who have a variety of coping 'tools' are better able to achieve success and balance.

9.    Increase access to information through reading materials, wellness centers, and Employee Assistance Programs.

10.                       Model positive behaviour. Wellness and balance must be seen as an organizational priority and must be 'lived' and lead by those in management.

(Beverly Beuermann-King, Work Smart Live Smart, 2002)

40% of Canadians reported that they did not really know enough ways to maintain and improve their mental health."

Canadian Mental Health Survey 1997

Issues like alcohol and drug use, violence and depression are a serious liability to the Canadian workplace costing a staggering $14.4 billion dollars to employers annually.

A typical workplace of 1,000 employees

·        has a rate of alcoholism and excessive drinking in the neighbourhood of 10% to 20%

·        has a rate of illicit drug use by anywhere from 2% to 7% of its employee population.

(CAMH, 2001)