Balanced Workplace Health PDF A healthy workplace is
Balanced Workplace Health PDF A healthy workplace is a great investment Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”
Why workplace health n We spend more than 2/3 of our waking hours at work n Your work environment impacts your physical and mental well-being Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”
Why Workplace Health Promotion § 86% of employees are somewhat or very concerned with their physical work environment. § Just over 50% report concern with job demands. § One in five workers missed over one week of work as a result of sickness, injury or disability Health Canada, 1998 Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”
Impact of Stress n Three-quarters of employees experience stress due to the social environment at work n Employees with homerelated stresses are more likely to be absent for 6 or more days n 48% work under a great deal of tension (Health Canada) Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”
Many things have an impact on your health n Social work environment n Physical work environment n Lifestyle choices n Home life stresses n These forces interact with each other Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”
Stress Leads to Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits n Watch more television n Eat more comfort foods n Smoke more cigarettes n Consume more alcohol Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”
Lifestyle Health Risks n Cardiovascular disease n Stroke n Colon and breast n n n cancer Non-insulin dependent diabetes Arthritis Osteoporosis Obesity Mental Illness Health Canada, Active Living at Work web site Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”
Costs of an unhealthy workplace n Employees who have 3 or more risk factors are absent 50% more often than employees who have no risk factors n Multiple risk employees cost their employers 3 times more for drugs, short-term disability and absenteeism than less risky employees (Health Canada) Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”
Business Costs Rising Health Benefits 26% Average Increase from 1990 - 1994 Conference Board of Canada Survey Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”Conference Board of Canada
Business Costs Rising Health Benefits n Prescription drug costs n increased 45% from ‘ 96 to ‘ 00 n 50% of the top 10 for illnesses n lifestyle practices and workplace stress. BCE EMERGIS EHEALTH SOLUTIONS GROUP Conference Board of Canada Survey Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”
Business Costs Absenteeism $108, 000 average for 100 employees $135 X 8. 0 Average daily salary Average days absence per employee X 100 employees Conference Board of Canada Survey Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”
Workplaces Have to Change n Over 50% of the workforce has little or no access to workplace health promotion n Demographics are changing n Work ethics are changing n Workplaces are competing for employees Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”
Health Promotion Works! A 1997 review of 365 studies (Craig-Evans, 1999) concluded that many health promotion programs were able to produce changes in knowledge and health risk behaviours specifically in four key areas. 1. Fitness levels 2. Eating habits 3. Job/life satisfaction 4. Alcohol and illicit drug use Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”
n Demographic Considerations (linda duxbury backgrounder) n The current and future retirement issues related to the aging workforce. n The current young workforce expects meaningful work for a reasonable wage while allowing them to maintain work-life balance. n There will be a serious labour shortage in the future making employee retention a challenge for employers Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”
A Safe, Healthy and Supportive Workplace n Keeps absenteeism rates n n n down Increases productivity Reduces the number of illnesses and injuries Improves employee morale Helps lower stress levels Recruits and retains the best employees Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”
Goals of the Wellness Works Program n To be a model of a healthy workplace n To help workplaces create healthier environments for employees n To decrease employee’s risk factors for chronic disease n To foster health communication among local businesses Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”
Wellness Works Programs n Annual Workshop n Wellness Work Network n Network Seminars n Wellness Work Newsletter n Comprehensive Workplace Wellness Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”
What is a comprehensive approach? n Offer educational opportunities n Provide skill building tools n Strengthen policies and procedures n Improve environmental supports Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”
Wellness Committees Are Key n Shows employee and employer commitment to workplace wellness n Committee determines needs of workplace n Enables effective comprehensive programming Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”
Long Term Commitment A Wellness program must be sustained for a minimum of: n One year to bring about risk reductions among employees. n Three to five years to demonstrate costeffectiveness Source: Pelletier, 1997 Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”
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