Workplace wellness
Over the past two decades changes have occurred in how companies value their investments.
Managers and employers are recognising that in order to compete effectively in the marketplace, they must optimise the productivity of their employees.
Studies prove that workplace health and wellness initiatives result in greater efficiency, higher performance and enhanced innovation.
Benefits of an active workplace include:
- Reduced absenteeism
- Reduced rates of accidents and injuries
- Improved physical and mental health
- Improvements in job performance
- Increased morale and motivation
- Reduced occupational health care costs
- Increased productivity
- Enhanced creativity and innovation
- Improved customer care and company loyalty
Primary prevention includes:
- Promoting exercise and physical activity
- Diet and nutritional education
- Injury prevention
- Smoking cessation
- Alcohol awareness
- Stress management
Secondary prevention includes:
- Screening for high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose
- Checks for prostate/breast/cervical and skin cancers
- Providing flu vaccinations
- Measuring BMI, maximal oxygen uptake and body composition
Projects and programmes may be as broad as:
- Ensuring healthy food is available in the staff cafeteria
- Provision of cycle racks and shower facilities
- One-on-one counselling for ‘at risk’ individuals
- Installing a gym or exercise equipment at the worksite
- Informative articles in the company or staff newsletter
- Encouraging involvement in social sport, fun runs or inter-house activities.
- Creating activity-friendly work environments
- Promoting, encouraging and rewarding behavioural changes.
Updated | 22 Oct 2006.
Skip page tools.
