Balanced Workplace Health PDF A healthy workplace is a great investment Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”

Why workplace health We spend more than 2/3 of our waking hours at work 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 Three-quarters of employees experience stress due to the social environment at work Employees with home- related stresses are more likely to be absent for 6 or more days 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 Social work environment Physical work environment Lifestyle choices Home life stresses These forces interact with each other Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”

Stress Leads to Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits Watch more television Eat more comfort foods Smoke more cigarettes Consume more alcohol Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”

Lifestyle Health Risks Cardiovascular disease Stroke Colon and breast 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 Employees who have 3 or more risk factors are absent 50% more often than employees who have no risk factors 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 Conference Board of Canada 26% Average Increase from Conference Board of Canada Survey Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”

Business Costs Rising Health Benefits Prescription drug costs increased 45% from ‘96 to ‘00 50% of the top 10 for illnesses lifestyle practices and workplace stress. Conference Board of Canada Survey Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow” BCE EMERGIS EHEALTH SOLUTIONS GROUP

Business Costs Absenteeism $108,000 average for 100 employees $135 Average daily salary X 8.0Average days absence per employee X employees Conference Board of Canada Survey Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”

Workplaces Have to Change Over 50% of the workforce has little or no access to workplace health promotion Demographics are changing Work ethics are changing 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”

Demographic Considerations (linda duxbury backgrounder) The current and future retirement issues related to the aging workforce. The current young workforce expects meaningful work for a reasonable wage while allowing them to maintain work- life balance. 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 Keeps absenteeism rates 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 To be a model of a healthy workplace To help workplaces create healthier environments for employees To decrease employee’s risk factors for chronic disease To foster health communication among local businesses Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”

Wellness Works Programs Annual Workshop Wellness Work Network Network Seminars Wellness Work Newsletter Comprehensive Workplace Wellness Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”

What is a comprehensive approach? Offer educational opportunities Provide skill building tools Strengthen policies and procedures Improve environmental supports Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”

Wellness Committees Are Key Shows employee and employer commitment to workplace wellness Committee determines needs of workplace 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: One year to bring about risk reductions among employees. Three to five years to demonstrate cost- effectiveness Source: Pelletier, 1997 Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow”