| "body"> | | | | down-time. |
| It has been well documented that a healthy workplace | | | | - Employees are rewarded for taking action with |
| contributes to a healthier bottom line. With less sick | | | | healthy initiatives. |
| days, improved productivity, greater performance and | | | | - Employees are acknowledged for work that is |
| increased morale, providing a healthy place to work | | | | complete and not on the amount of hours to complete |
| can make a substantial difference. | | | | it. (Being busy versus getting the job done) |
| Transforming to a healthy culture requires active | | | | - Employers spend less money on training and |
| support from management in making workplace health | | | | developing new employees due to employee retention. |
| a priority. This article will examine the elements of the | | | | No cost and low cost actions steps you can take right |
| current workplace and give you some simple steps of | | | | now: |
| no cost and low cost options to making a start right | | | | - Conduct meetings outside or on a walk, or take a 10 |
| now to some tangible benefits. | | | | - 15 minute walk before or after the meeting. |
| A Case for Action | | | | - Allocate an employee to head up a wellness team |
| What is happening now in the workplace? | | | | and have them report back to management. This role |
| - Australia annually loses billions in revenue due to sick | | | | can take as little as 2 hours per week. |
| days. | | | | - Use peer pressure wisely to gain interest in your |
| - Employees with multiple or chronic health concerns | | | | wellness message. The message has to be something |
| drive the biggest loss in productivity. Those concerns | | | | that is universal to most people (fat loss, how to make |
| may include smoking, overweight or obesity, poor | | | | nutritious snacks, simple steps to handle stress etc) |
| nutrition, not enough exercise, substance abuse, poor | | | | Leave time at the end for interaction. Use this as an |
| sleeping patterns, existing medical conditions etc. | | | | opportunity to let them know the importance of healthy |
| - Poor health is impacting all levels of business including | | | | employees and the value it is to the organization. |
| executives and non-managerial positions. Executives, | | | | - Train managers and supervisors to give rewards and |
| management and supervisory positions suffer more | | | | recognition. |
| presentee-ism productivity which is related to a lack of | | | | - Gain the professional expertise of a Personal Trainer |
| productivity due to poor health. | | | | to assist with a user-pays regular group exercise |
| - Employees experience too little or too much | | | | activity. These sessions can take place during or |
| responsibility and have unclear expectations in their | | | | outside of work hours in a large inside space or |
| roles. | | | | nearby park. An opportunity to hear about the activity |
| - Poor communication. | | | | can be gained at an information meeting at a time that |
| - Lack of rewards and acknowledgment. | | | | is convenient at work. |
| - Stress and mental health issues. | | | | - Reinforce the health vision of your workplace with a |
| - Management attitudes and awareness. | | | | regular newsletter that can be sent out to your internal |
| The way the future could be with a healthier | | | | database, an agenda at meetings, posted on the |
| workplace: | | | | bulletin boards or distributed in the lunch-room. |
| - The culture of the workplace looks like a healthy | | | | - Provide a quarterly healthy living expo in the |
| environment by the way the employees act and the | | | | workplace where employees can gain valuable |
| work is handled. | | | | information, attend workshops, participate in group |
| - Employees can't tell you what the culture looks like | | | | activities, enjoy a 15 minute massage, have postural or |
| but they can tell you how it feels. | | | | ergonomic assessments, or get a health screening for |
| - Employers, all levels of management, and employees | | | | blood pressure, blood sugar, flexibility, fitness levels etc. |
| are all part of the solution. | | | | - Start a virtual in-house fitness challenge. A healthier |
| - Employers act as role models. | | | | workplace really is do-able and is essential to our |
| - Employee health is now part of the agenda at | | | | communities. By taking responsibility in our workforce |
| meetings | | | | we are taking steps towards our countries rising health |
| - Employers regularly share their health vision with | | | | costs. This healthy workplace culture transformation |
| employees in multiple types of communication. | | | | while not easy to change is simple to put into action. |
| - Management and supervisors are regularly trained on | | | | This is not just a one-time thing but becomes part of |
| giving recognition and rewards. | | | | how we can do business every day. |
| - Employees are engaged in their work with less | | | | |