The pandemic has caused increased levels of stress and anxiety. Many people are facing challenges both at home and at work. During Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month®, employers are encouraged to foster an environment where people look forward to going to work. One way organizations can impact the health and well being of their employees is by promoting healthy workplace practices.
Research shows that healthy, happy employees are more productive employees. Creating a culture around mental and physical health can also help people feel more connected, valued and less stressed in their daily lives.
Healthy workplace practices include systems and programs to help employees achieve and maintain exemplary health. A comprehensive healthy workplace consists of 4 elements:
- Healthy Lifestyle
- Physical Environment
- Mental Health and Workplace Culture
- Corporate Social Responsibility
In this article, we will explore each of these healthy workplace practices. Additionally, we discuss our workplace physiotherapy programs. Our integrated healthcare team has customized programs to improve employee well being and increase productivity for organizations across the GTA.
Healthy Lifestyle Choices in the Workplace
Organizations that promote healthy lifestyle choices in the workplace encourage exercise, activity and healthy eating. Some simple ways to do that are:
- Activity challenges (e.g., number of steps climbed, walking steps per week)
- Encouraging activity within the workday (e.g., walking meetings, stretch breaks, offering classes at lunch hour)
- Provide group exercise classes like yoga virtually or small group classes in a meeting room
- Healthy eating initiatives (e.g., healthy recipe contest, meatless Mondays, posting nutritional tips)
We know that feeling good physically is also key to helping you to feel good mentally. Adults need at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week. Workplaces can help to create environments that weave physical activity into the day.
Physical Environment in the Workplace
Creating a safe and comfortable environment can greatly affect employee wellness. Adapting safety practices includes things like proper and accessible hand washing stations, infection control practices, providing CPR/First Aid training, and injury prevention guidelines.
Ergonomic assessments are an important feature in creating a comfortable and productive workstation. Ensuring proper seat and desk heights, adequate back support and proper computer set up can all help to decrease workplace injuries and ensure the proper workplace environment.
Small changes can also make a big impact on workplace wellness. Temperature, access to natural light, air quality and noise levels are all important for workplace satisfaction.
Mental Health and Workplace Culture
An organizational culture that supports and promotes mental health is critical in the workplace. Many people are struggling during these challenging and uncertain times. A Canadian study on mental health symptoms during the pandemic found that 1 in 5 Canadians are experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder.[i] The instability, challenges and stresses in the workplace can contribute to these symptoms.
Developing healthy workplace culture can include large scale plans such as:
- Creating an organization wide mental health strategy
- Institute mandatory health leadership training
- Develop tailored mental health supports
- Prioritize the return-to-work process
- Provide coverage for therapy
- Influence health and disability insurance providers[ii]
Specific actions can also include:
- Being flexible in supporting healthy breaks
- Host mindfulness Mondays or wellness Wednesday’s initiatives
- Put mental health on the agenda to help reduce workplace stigma
- Put up a wellness wall or gratitude wall to help provide and share resources and support
Mental health initiatives in the workplace benefit employers, employees and the economy and should be the priority in workplace settings.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
New research is finding that giving to others can make our lives feel more meaningful. Yet many of us are struggling to find meaning in our lives. Because we spend so much of our time at work, employers are in the perfect position to promote altruistic behaviours. Creating a culture around community giving can have lasting impacts beyond the volunteer activity.
Effective initiatives don’t have to be time-consuming or complex. Check out some simple ideas to volunteer as an organization. Create a greater sense of purpose and meaning in people’s lives.
Our Workplace Wellness Programs
Workplace wellness programs aim to encourage healthy behaviours such as exercise and healthy eating, while also supporting mental health initiatives such as stress management. They are designed to improve employee well being, increase productivity, decrease absenteeism, and reduce medical spending.
- According to a Quantum Workplace report, employees are 18 percent more engaged when provided time for healthy activities.
- Research from the Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO), Brigham Young University and the Center for Health Research at Healthways shows, healthy employees take fewer sick days. Absenteeism is 27 percent lower for those workers who eat healthy and regularly exercise.
- According to a Willis survey, healthy employees reduce healthcare costs.
Our multi-disciplinary team offers the following workplace physiotherapy solutions virtually or in the workplace for employees:
- Ergonomic assessment and workstation modification
- Work hardening and return-to-work conditioning
- Workplace accessibility assessments
- Massage Therapy
- Acupuncture
- Yoga Therapy
- Mindfulness Training
- Physiotherapy
Our workplace wellness programs can be customized for your work environment to prevent common workplace accidents and injuries, promote healthy lifestyle changes, and treat existing issues, such as:
- Body pain
- Postural dysfunction
- Soft tissue dysfunction or inflexible muscles; muscle tightness or weakness
- Nerve injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome and “sciatica”
- Rehabilitation of shoulders, elbows, wrists/hands, hips, knees, ankle/feet
- Fractures, dislocation, sprains, and strains
- Chronic pain
- Headaches/ dizziness/ vertigo
- Pre-habilitation (enhancing a person’s strength and function prior to surgery)
Focusing on healthy employees is an investment that is well worth it. If you are interested in a workforce that is healthier and more productive, contact us about customizing a Workplace Physiotherapy Solution for your business.
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