Media Advisory               For Immediate Release

May 3, 2004

A Call to Action for Healthier Workplaces

Job dissatisfaction, absenteeism, and employee illness and injury have increased at a staggering rate in Canada over the past 10 years.  On May 7, employers in Grey and Bruce will be educated as to the consequences if they do not take action to change.

Media is invited to a conference focused on improving the health of workplaces.  The Public Health Unit and the Grey Bruce Huron Perth District Health Council are co-hosting the first annual Healthy Workplace Conference on May 7, at the Best Western Inn on the Bay.  It is fully booked, with 155 confirmed attendees and 25 on the waiting list.  The conference, “Making the Pieces Fit ~ Linking Employee Health to Organizational Performance”, coincides with North American Occupational Safety and Health Week, May 2 – 8.

When it comes to commemorating health and safety, “health” seems to be largely ignored.  Safety is a priority because it is legislated and, therefore, employers follow the law.  However, what about preventing illness and promoting health for the employee?  Work is a powerful determinant of a person’s health and well-being.  It is a place where most people spend over two thirds of their waking lives.

Two internationally-renown speakers will sound the alarm at this sold-out conference. Senior management from the public, private and non-profit sectors are targeted to hear the message.

Dr. Linda Duxbury, a professor at Carleton University’s School of Business in Ottawa, will present findings from her recent study commissioned by Health Canada. The study gives compelling evidence from 32,000 Canadian workers who were surveyed in 2001 and a decade previously.

Overwhelming job demands, lack of rewards, time pressures and the realities of aging can impact negatively on the employee.  Dr. Edgardo Perez, CEO and Chief of Staff for Homewood Health Centre Inc. and Homewood Behavioural Health Corporation, will spotlight the problem of emotional well-being and mental illness.

Depression and anxiety diagnoses are predicted to overtake cardiovascular disease as the number one disability in the workplace by the year 2010. Workplaces cannot ignore the potential impact of losing productivity because their number one asset, the worker, is not on the job.

Jane Dobisz, Public Health Nurse for the Healthy Workplace Program at the Grey Bruce Health Unit, states, “Research shows that healthy employees in a safe, healthy and supportive workplace help businesses to keep an competitive edge. They attract and keep the best employees, the absenteeism rates are low, there is a reduction in injury and illness claims and people tend to be more creative, and productive as a result.”

Dobisz stresses the importance of looking at corporate culture and including health programs to improve the physical and mental well being of the employees. “In times of rising acute health care costs, the prevention of chronic diseases, injury and mental illness in the workplace setting cannot be ignored.”

Please plan to attend the “Making the Pieces Fit ~ Linking Employee Health to Organizational Performance” conference on May 7.

For more information call Jane Dobisz, public health nurse at the Public Health Unit (519) 376-9420 ext 507.

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Attachment:

Agenda (draft)

For more information:

Jane Dobisz

Public Health Nurse

Healthy Workplace Program

Grey Bruce Health Unit

(519) 376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456

Agenda (Draft)

Healthy Workplace Conference

Friday, May 7^th, 2004