Tips for a healthier workplace

The benefits of being a workplace are boundless. And, the options of activities and initiatives you can implement to make your workplace a healthier one are limitless!

First, let’s start with the principles of a happy and healthy workplace. The foundation of a healthy and productive workplace start with the following:

•     Eating well
•     Being active
•     Social activities
•     Be smoke-free
•     Reduce consumption of alcohol

Here we have some facts and statistics about health and wellbeing programs in workplaces:

•     In Australia, over 10 million of us spend 8+ hours per day in the workplace, the implementation of healthy initiatives can improve health and wellbeing of employees therefore reducing absenteeism and improving productivity
•     Healthy and happy employees are THREE times more productive
•     The Australian Government has developed a Workplace Health Saving Calculator which can be used to calculate savings as a result of reduced sick days and absenteeism
•     Absenteeism from the workplace in Australia from people suffering chronic diseases costs upwards of $7billon per annum
•     The health of a company’s workforce is vital to the company’s success therefore the employer should play a role in the health of their employees

Now we’re convinced you (or you’ve used these facts to convince your boss!) here are some ideas that can be implements, no matter the type of environment you work in:

•     Support for active transport to and from work
•     Implement nutritional and physical activity policies
•     Healthy food options (such as box of fruit for snacks, make health alternatives available where catering is supplied)
•     Install filter water taps to encourage consumption of water
•     Medical intervention programs (such as flu vaccinations, skin checks and cholesterol checks)
•     Provide access to health educational events, seminars and material
•     Provide ergonomics assessments
•     Provide period massages
•     Access to discounted gym memberships and allied health providers (for example sign up to a employee benefits program with Back In Motion Health Group*)
•     Encourage and support employee participation in social physical activities (such as fun runs, outdoor activities etc)
•     Provide social and emotional wellness support (ie access to confidential counselling service, material from organisations about mental health issues such as beyondblue)

The Australian Government Department of Health website provides advice for planning and delivering a successful workplace health program, view it here.

Back In Motion’s professional workplace health team, Actif Workplace Health provides onsite physiotherapy services, workplace assessments, ergonomics assessments and more in Victoria and South Australia. You can also consult your physio at your local Back In Motion practice for advice too.

Sources:
Australian Government, Department of Health
Business Council of Australia
Heart Foundation

* Email Alicia Foreman for more information.