8 Key Steps to a Healthy
Workplace
Date
Name
Overview
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Introduction
The 8 Key Steps
It takes time
Benefits of workplace health
Support, tools and resources
Introduction
• No single “correct” approach to workplace
health
• Steps are general guideline
The 8 Key Steps
1.
2.
3.
4.
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6.
7.
8.
Identify a group and leader
Program development meetings
Management involvement and approval
Workplace scan
Employee input
Identify areas of need/interest
Develop a plan
Getting started
The 8 Key Steps
Identifying a group and leader
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Approximately 4-12 people
Broad representation
Voluntary participation
Enthusiastic
The 8 Key Steps
Program development meetings
• Define workplace health and wellness
• Develop vision and purpose
• Develop and enhance wellness program
The 8 Key Steps
Management involvement and approval
• Necessary to create change
• Demonstrates commitment to well-being
• Supports employee commitment to
workplace health
The 8 Key Steps
What’s already happening?
• Workplace environmental scan
• Physical and social environment
• Policies and procedures
• Activities and programs in place
The 8 Key Steps
What do employees think?
Gather staff ideas and feedback:
– Informal discussion
– Suggestion box
– Employee meeting/focus group
– Conduct a survey
The 8 Key Steps
Determining areas of need and interest
• Use results from environmental scan and
employee needs assessment
• Validates information collection
• Develops foundation for wellness planning
The 8 Key Steps
Develop a plan
• Your action plan should:
– Meet the needs of all employees
– Balance between what employee and
employer can do
– Address concerns in all areas
• Occupational health and safety, workplace culture,
and health practices
The 8 Key Steps
Develop a plan
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How, when and who
Creates accountability
SMART goals and objectives
Evaluation and analysis (on-going)
The 8 Key Steps
Develop a plan
• Awareness activities
• Skill-building activities
• Supportive work environments (policy)
The 8 Key Steps
Getting started
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Launch activities
Posters
Email
Pay stub inserts
Bulletin boards
The 8 Key Steps
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Identify a group and leader
Program development meetings
Management involvement and approval
Workplace scan
Employee input
Identify areas of need/interest
Develop a plan
Getting started
It takes time
• First few months
– Some positive changes
– Employees engaging in healthy activities
during work hours
• Within one year
– Evidence of increased job satisfaction,
commitment to work and improved
productivity
It takes time
• It will be at least 3 years before you see
any quantitative improvements in health
related costs
The Benefits of Workplace
Health
• Employers and the organization
• Employees
• Society, families and communities
Benefits of workplace health
For the organization
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A well-managed health and safety program
Positive and caring image
Improved staff morale and productivity
Reduced staff turnover and absenteeism
Reduced health care/insurance costs
Reduced risk of fines and litigation
Benefits of workplace health
For employees
• Safe and healthy work environment
• Enhanced self-esteem and improved health
• Reduced stress Improved morale and sense of
well-being
• Increased job satisfaction
• Increased skills for health protection
Benefits of workplace health
For families and the community
• Transfer of healthy habits from work to home
• Healthy families may be more likely to become
involved in community
• Reduced health care cost
Support, tools and resources
• www.nwhu.on.ca
• Northwestern Health Unit
– 1-800-830-5978
– Local office
References
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. October 2013.
“Workplace Health Promotion”. Retrieved from:
http://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/businesscase/benefit
s/ (February 4, 2013)
• The Health Communication Unit. 2004. “Comprehensive Workplace
Health Promotion Info Packs and Presentation”.
• Mental Health Works. “A Guide to Developing and Implementing the
Workplace Health System in Medium and Large Businesses”.
Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario. Retrieved from:
http://www.mentalhealthworks.ca/employers/freeresources/workplace-health-system/guide-for-medium-and-largebusinesses (February 3, 2014 ).
• The Harvard Business Review. 2010. “What’s the Hard Return on
Employee Wellness Programs?”. Retrieved from:
http://hbr.org/2010/12/whats-the-hard-return-on-employee-wellnessprograms/ar/1 (February 4, 2014 ).
• The Health Communication Unit. 2011. “Health Promotion 102:
Workplace Health Promotion”. Retrieved from:
http://www.thcu.ca/workplace/hp102/index.cfm