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Workplace Wellness Initiatives: simple ways for helping employees to stay well
By Jamie Soo
Workplace wellness initiatives are the actions that employers can take to promote good health to employees. Initiatives can range from posting health-related articles on the company bulletin board, to offering an on-site physical fitness facility.
The benefit to employers of introducing wellness initiatives is seeing a possible reduction in absenteeism over a period of time. The benefit to employees is being provided with information that empowers them to make healthier lifestyle changes for themselves.
Here are some simple ways of introducing wellness in your workplace that involve some or no cost and are easy to plan and execute:
- Promote “wash your hand” messaging – The media informs us that washing your hands prevents us from getting the flu. It seems that our mothers were right when we were admonished to “wash your hands” after using the washroom or before eating a meal. Germs that reside on our hands and can be effectively removed by vigourously rubbing our hands with soap and running under water for 20 seconds. A simple and inexpensive way of promoting this message is to post a “cover your cough/clean your hands” poster that is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site.
If you have a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) at your workplace, you may want to put this topic on the agenda. By discussing this preventive measure with your JHSC colleagues, they may, in turn, raise awareness among their constituents.
Make hand sanitizers available in all departments.
- Flu shot clinics – In Ontario, getting the flu shot is free from your family doctor or local community clinic. If the number of employees is large enough to make it economically feasible, consider organizing a flu shot clinic at your workplace. It’s a convenient service for employees who might otherwise feel disinclined to make an appointment with their doctor or wait in a long line-up at a community clinic.
- Lunch and Learns – Lunch and learns are an effective way of presenting information. Some potential lunch and learn topics are: nutrition, stress management, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, etc. Contact your local public health unit, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider, or non-profit agencies for potential facilitators for these topics. Lunch and learns do not typically incur a cost. Finally, offering a light lunch to participants will encourage more employees to attend!
- Workplace practices/policies – Vacation is a time for employees to re-charge their batteries to prevent burn-out. Managers can encourage their employees to take their vacation by checking in with them twice a year to find out when they would like to schedule their vacation. An employer’s vacation policy may not allow carry-forward of vacation, which would encourage employees to take their vacation during the current year.
- Employers may want to review their sick policy to ensure that sick employees are not returning to work before they are well, thereby potentially spreading germs to everyone around them. Perhaps employees are feeling compelled to return to work before they are well because they will not be receiving any replacement income while on disability?
- Encourage physical activity – Employers may wish to organize a week-long “Pedometer Walking Challenge”. Participants are asked to sign a waiver and are issued a loaner pedometer. Participants wear the pedometer all day and record the number of steps they take at the end of each day. At the end of the week, the participant who recorded the most steps wins. Many employees enjoy the “Pedometer Walking Challenge” so much that they are motivated to continue their walking regimen on their own.
- Inject humour in the workplace -- Laughter can go a long way to relieving stress in the workplace and building camaraderie among colleagues. An employer may want to consider setting aside a lunch hour to show funny videos, or invite employees to wear a costume on Halloween.
Jamie Soo is an HR Recruiter and Training Coordinator at an insurance company in Markham. He may be reached via e-mail at: jamie.b.soo@gmail.com.
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