October is Healthy Workplace Month in Canada, a time to think about workplace health promotion.
Workplace health promotion is described by the World Health Organization as the combined efforts of employers, employees and society to improve the health and well-being of people at work. Workplace health promotion activities include business procedures and programs that support employees at work and educate them about how to work productively while remaining healthy and happy.
How does developing a healthy workplace help organizations and their employees? Health promotion at work develops employee knowledge, skills and resilience. These activities teach workers how to do their jobs well and safely. Safe work training, micro-breaks to stretch and lunch and learn sessions about working effectively with others are all examples of workplace health promotion activities.
Employees at healthy workplaces want to be physically, mentally and socially capable of working productively. This benefits organizations, workers and communities.
Employee benefits include:
• a safe and healthy work environment
• enhanced worker self-esteem
• reduced stress
• improved morale
• increased job satisfaction
• increased skills for health protection
• improved health
• improved sense of well-being.
The business case for workplace health promotion includes:
• a well-managed health and safety program
• a positive business image
• improved staff morale
• reduced staff turnover
• reduced absenteeism
• increased productivity
• reduced insurance and health care costs
• reduced risk of fines and litigation
Even communities benefit from healthy workplaces through improved local employment, decreased poverty, better worker and family health, and pollution reduction.
Employers and employees influence workplace health and happiness with their choices and attitudes. Shared interest among employees about workplace health promotion initiatives will lead to a more productive and healthier workforce.
Learn more about workplace health promotion.
