1. Health & Wellness Program Presented by: Robin Grant, CHRP Greater Vancouver Community Services Society

2. An Apple a Day… Why develop a Health and Wellness Program? Attendance Enhancement Program Results from Employee Focus Group Aging Workforce Organization Morale

3. Designing the Program Employee input is essential Survey conducted across organization Rated interest in attending a variety of 40+ workshops Feedback for Healthy Living section in Newsletter Joining a Walking Club Content for Employee Assistance Manual Knowledge sharing

4. Workshops Run in the evening, after work hours Attendance is voluntary (unpaid) Duration of 1-2 hours Posters announce upcoming workshops Presenters are experts in their field – usually charge a nominal fee Examples: Stress Management, Grief, Nutrition & Heart Disease

5. Extra, Extra…Read all about it! Healthy Living section in every monthly newsletter edition Employees are asked to contact HR for suggested topics Includes: physical activity, skill development, injury prevention & alternative health remedies Increased awareness can lead to healthier life style choices

6. Healthy body, healthy mind Walking Club Employees meet weekly Coordinated through HR Walks take place on break time/after hours Increased safety and motivation Employee Assistance Manual Linking employees to services in community Provides confidential information to those in need (no EAP) Covers everything from finances, to addictions, to daycare Often do not know these services exist

7. Benefits of Program Employees know we care about their health and well-being Provides employees with access to new resources/information Stepping stone to better health Reduced absenteeism (cost savings) Employees able to focus and be productive while at work Provides link to other employees for support Healthier, happier workforce!

8. Longer life through laughter I recently went to a new physician and after examining me he said I was doing "fairly well" for my age. A little concerned about that comment, I had to ask him, "Do you think I'll live to be 80?" He asked,"Well, do you smoke tobacco or drink beer/wine?" "Oh no," I replied. Then he asked, "Do you eat steaks and barbequed ribs?" I said "No, I've heard that all red meat is very unhealthy!" "Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like playing golf or sailing?" "No, I don’t," I said. He asked, "Do you gamble or drive fast cars?" "No," I said. "I've never done either of those things." He looked at me and said, "Then why would you care about living to be 80?"

9. Thank you! If you have any questions, or would like more information about our Health and Wellness or Attendance Enhancement Programs, please contact me at (604)714-3504 or by email at rgrant@gvcss.bc.ca.