An integrated approach to health and
wellbeing in the workplace
Heather Perina – Dept of Health Qld
Geraldine Marsh – Aust. Institute of Primary Care La Trobe University
Obese adults
The Health of Queenslanders 2014 www.health.qld.gov.au/cho_report
 55% of all obese adults in Queensland are employed
 ~ 460,000 persons
Obese not employed
Obese employed
180,000
160,000
140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
0-11
12-17
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65-74
75+
Daily smokers
The Health of Queenslanders 2014 www.health.qld.gov.au/cho_report
 57% of all adults in Queensland who smoke daily are
employed
 ~ 285,000 persons
Smokers: not employed
Smokers: employed
180,000
160,000
140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
12-17
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65-74
75+
Risky drinkers
The Health of Queenslanders 2014 www.health.qld.gov.au/cho_report
 69% of risky adult drinkers are employed
 ~ 465,000 persons
risky drinkers: not employed
risky drinkers: employed
180,000
160,000
140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
12-17
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65-74
75+
Why Workplaces
• More than half the at-risk adult population in
Queensland are employed
• We spend at least 8 ours a day at work (plus travel)
• Captive audience
• Controlled environment – legislation and policy
• Potential to instil culture and environmental change
• Business benefits
• Social/emotional benefits
Background
• Workplaces for Wellness 2010/11 to 2013/14
• National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health
• Healthier.Happier. Workplaces 2013/14 to current
• Reduce preventable chronic disease using a systems approach
Healthier. Happier. Workplaces Initiative
Is an integrated, multi-strategy, settings-based
program which aims to engage and involve both
workers and management collectively endeavouring to
change the workplace into a health promoting setting.
Objectives
Workplaces
Build capacity of employers to improve workplace wellness by
increasing the number and proportion of workplaces that are:
• Committed to workplace wellness
• Implementing supportive policy, cultural and physical
environments
• Delivering HP programs for workers – knowledge to select
and evaluate programs
Objectives
Workers
Build capacity of workers to make healthy lifestyle choices
through:
• Increased access to and uptake of health info, evidence based
workplace health initiatives, support services
• Increased healthy lifestyle awareness, knowledge, attitudes
• Increased number of workers who report healthy lifestyle
behaviours
Population Health
Longer term objective
Reduced risk of workers developing lifestyle-related chronic
disease
Healthier Happier Workplaces
Statewide Evaluation
Developmental Approach
Situations of high complexity and/or high volatility
(ie. The environment is always changing and the
programs/interventions are continually adapting)
When working on social innovations and /or
systems- change orientated interventions.
Evaluation Questions
Has the HHW Initiative been implemented as intended?
Have the activities & strategies (including programs and
support strategies) as a whole reached the intended target
groups and settings? What factors have affected reach?
What else could be done to strengthen the Initiative?
What barriers and facilitators to implementation have
emerged, and what responses have been implemented?
What else can be done to support workplaces & workers to
implement and sustain the changes intended to achieve the
objective of HHW?
What do we know about workplaces who have engaged (and
not engaged) with HHW?
What motivates workplaces to consider wellness in the
workplace?
How do they become engaged with the HHW Initiative?
What are the enablers, barriers and challenges for workplaces?
How are they overcome – if they are?
What supports workplaces to keep developing their approach to
workplace wellness – and could this be strengthened?
Has the HHW Initiative had the intended effects (or any
unintended effects) for 1) workplaces and 2) workers?
What kinds of changes to their policy, cultural and physical
environments to support workers to adopt and maintain
positive lifestyle and health promoting behaviours have been
made in (targeted) workplaces? Has promotion of worker
wellness become a routine part of the workplace?
Is there evidence that specific programs lead to intended
changes for workers and changes are sustained (e.g. Quit
leading to reduction or cessation of smoking)?
Evaluation Methodology
Mixed methods evaluation analysis of data from multiple sources
 Evaluation reports from programs and activities funded
through HHW (grants, workshops programs etc).
 Documentation about ongoing development & implementation
of HHW
 Healthy Places, Healthy Peoples survey
 Key stakeholder interviews- 98 conducted (2014/2015)
workplaces representing targeted industries/sectors, partners
in implementation (DH, WHSQ, Programs), Peak Industry
bodies, Recognition Scheme recipients.
 On-line survey- Queensland workplaces- over 350 surveys
were completed
WHAT
Inform & recognise
good practice
Advice & support
Program access
HOW
WHY
health & wellbeing in
Healthier. Happier.
Workplaces website
Recognition scheme
Evidence-based tools
Workers
Workplaces
Industry
WHSQ & LGAQ
(advice, support, professional
development, networking,
mentoring, system enablers,
leadership )
Workers
Workplaces
Industry / Peak bodies
Local & crossGovernment
Community
10,000 Steps
Get Healthy
Workplace Quit Smoking Program
Workers
Workplaces
Community
http//:www.workplaces.healthier.qld.gov.au
5 Steps to a Healthy Workplace
1. Management commitment
2. Planning
3. Needs assessment
4. Action plan
5. Evaluation and review
Registered Workplaces
2230 members (End of October 2015)
Size Organisation
<20
21-200
>200
2014
304
692
428
2015
442
1085
703
Total
1424
2230
Industry/sector
Health and community services
Education and training
Government administration and defence
Construction
Manufacturing
Professional services
Transport and storage
Mining
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
Finance and insurance
Electricity, gas, water and waste
Accommodation and food services
Administration and business support services
Information technology and telecommunications
Retail trade
Arts, recreation and tourism
Property services
Wholesale trade
Advertising and media
Other
Total
Number
453
434
215
164
147
115
100
69
64
53
50
37
53
30
34
21
20
17
10
164
2230
Healthier. Happier. Workplaces website
Where do you usually find information about
promoting employee health and wellbeing in the
workplace - including general ideas and specific
programs/services/tools that would assist you?
Queensland Government "Workplaces for
Wellness"/"Healthier.Happier.Workplaces" website and
resources
General search of the internet
Health organisations such as Heart Foundation, Quit,
Diabetes Australia, Beyondblue
Frequency Valid
%
N=370
300
81.1
284
76.8
248
67.0
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland website
241
65.1
Information provided by industry/peak body/network
210
56.8
Suggestions from employees
Advice from colleagues
Other government health department websites (including in
other states)
Other sources
196
165
53.0
44.6
151
40.8
54
14.6
Recognition Scheme
Recognises organisations for their workplace wellness
program and encourages them to improve worker health
and wellbeing.
Showing staff that the organisation is
interested in their health and wellbeing.
Impetus to document and show case what
we were doing.
Great getting recognition
for what out business is
doing!
We were interested in
getting recognition as it
underlies what we are
trying to achieve.
Reasons for applying for recognition
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Demonstrates commitment to staff health and wellbeing.
Promotes a positive workplace culture.
Creates an opportunity to review the health of the organisation
Become an employer of choice.
Provides an opportunity to celebrate and share successes.
Improves the reputation of the business.
Provides an ‘edge’ when applying for tenders/contracts.
What are the Characteristics of a successful
Recognition Scheme
 High public profile, with promotion to the public and industry.
(Managed by Government).
 Achievements of recognition scheme recipients are promoted
and shared with other organisations.
 Award recipients’ experiences and learnings around the
development and implementation of workplace health and
wellbeing programs are shared with other organisations.
 Ongoing contact between scheme organisers and registrants
to assist and encourage applicants and monitor progress
towards higher levels of recognition.
Do Peak Industry Bodies (PIBs)have a role in promoting
workplace health?
Our Industry Body is
interested in
promoting workplace
health to our
members.
Employers want to
hear about practical
examples that have
worked in similar
businesses.
Yes but why?
• Competition between industries to attract
workers
• Worker retention
• Ageing workforce
• Increasing tender ‘wins’
• Improving industry image
• Creating a sense of commitment of workers in
industry
• Reduce industry costs- absenteeism
I think we do have a role,
we need help convincing
our board.
Assistance Required by Peak Industry Bodies to promote
workplace health and wellbeing
•
•
•
•
Concrete evidence of benefits
Practical examples of successful strategies/ approaches implemented
Industry specific information and advice
Access to people who can assist and advise workplaces – preferably at no
cost
• Information about services workplaces can refer workers- eg. Mental
health, drugs and alcohols, relationships
• Assistance in convincing/explaining to PIB management benefits for our
members
Lessons Learned
Whole of Government Strategy
Governance arrangements
Overarching model showing integration
Evaluation framework
Define roles and responsibilities early
Clear KPI’s