being healthy starts in the workplace

Presentation To Council: March 9, 2015

Municipal Courthouse Baddeck

Presented by:

Leanne MacEachen &

Vince Forrestall

RECENTLY

Workplace Wellness Policy Presentation

Victoria County Municipal Council

April 28, 2014

Middle River Community Hall

• Workplace Wellness Policy Approved – April 28, 2014

• Municipal Workplace Wellness Action Plan - An evidence-based

approach for a healthier, active and productive workforce

• The Municipality’s Workplace Wellness Action Plan fits in nicely with the approved Naturally Active Victoria County Physical Activity Strategy

Walking Wednesdays

In NS, nearly 50% of adults over the age of 19 are inactive (less than the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity each day)

“Too many Nova Scotians are at risk of poor health due to inactivity”

(Creating Active Communities, A Resource for Municipalities. May 6, 2011)

Almost half of Victoria County residents (47%) Are Physically Inactive

(Community Health Assessment: “Understanding Our Health” telephone survey –

Victoria County Community Health Board)

The workplace and the health of the workers within are inextricably linked “The workplace should not only protect the safety and well-being of employees but also provide them with better long-term health and enhanced quality of life.” Centres for Disease Control and Prevention website, 2011

Why Comprehensive Workplace Wellness?

In Canada … Major Employee Health Risks Reported by Employers were: Work related stress (24%) Sedentary Lifestyle (24% ) Obesity (23%) High BP (19%) Smoking (18%) High cholesterol (13%)

SunLife-Buffet Wellness Survey 2013

What’s in it for our workplace?

• Irving Paper- Short term disability costs fell by 50% = $800,000

• Vancouver Shipyards – WCB claims reduced by 70%

• City of Regina Transit Department – lost time WCB claims reduced by 260 days = $500,000 savings

What’s in it for our workplace?

• City of Kamloops – ↓number of grievances; employee satisfaction

• Moose Jaw Health District - ↓ employee sick days and accident rates

American Express Canada – Attrition rates ↓from 40% - 23%

Policy

Aims to increase the overall health levels of the employees and

improved quality of life

Committee Mandate

Establish the strategic direction so it meets the goals, objectives and

values

Vision

Work towards creating a workplace that allows and encourages

employees to reach and maintain their optimal level of health

Annual Golf, Social & Dinner

Process: A Framework for Creating a Healthy, Active County

Settings Schools, Workplaces, Health care, Leisure-time, sport settings, Neighbourhoods

Interventions Policies, Programs, Plans, Infrastructure-strategies, communication

Workplace Wellness Committee

Undertakes

Supports Employee Participation

Improve Access to Healthier Foods

Increases Physical Activity

Reduces & Manages Stress

Supports Healthy Lifestyles

Facilitates Wellness through Education

Increases Morale & Participation

Prepares Annual Budget

• To create balance in the lives of employees • To help build a healthier, safer, more productive work place • To share the load of work

Action Develop Victoria County Workplace

Wellness Healthy Network

Host Annual Healthy Workplace Wellness Network Luncheons for all existing, new and potential sites

(The Toronto Charter for Physical Activity: A Global Call for Action)

PARTNERS:

Victoria County, Naturally Active, Victoria Businesses, CBDHA and Public Health Services

Cabot Trail Pedometer Challenge

Workplace Wellness Committee

Leanne MacEachen leanne.maceachen@countyvictoria.ns.ca Zina MacNeil zina.macneil@countyvictoria.ns.ca Violet MacLellan violet.macLellan@countyvictoria.ns.ca James Dixon james.dixon@countyvictoria.ns.ca Medrick Dixon medrick.dixon@countyvictoria.ns.ca Kelly Brett kelly.brett@countyvictoria.ns.ca Daniel Gwynn daniel.gwynn@countyvictoria.ns.ca Jocelyn Bethune Jocelyn.bethune@countyvictoria.ns.ca Chair – Vince vince.forrestall@countyvictoria.ns.ca

*Represents Municipal Staff from all Areas of Victoria County

Workplace Wellness

Makes Cents Proposal/Ask?:

Municipal Workplace Wellness

Active Living Subsidization Program Recommendation

Purpose

To improve the overall health of our organization and the well-being of our employees and families

• Increase the overall health-levels of our employees, and improved quality of life

• Healthy employees suffer fewer

health-related injuries and are less-frequently ill and live longer with a higher quality of life

What Do Municipalities Think?

• Rebecca Kolstee, Municipal Wellness

Coordinator performed a Wellness Report

based on interviews conducted around

38 municipalities.

What did she find out?

Municipalities Spoke

• 82% currently offer workplace wellness programs / 55% do not evaluate the effectiveness

• 87% offer programs to boost morale and engagement

• 58% offer programs to reduce absenteeism

• 53% of Municipalities currently have smoke free policies & 24% offer healthy eating policies

• Identified Barriers: limited resources & financial barriers

• Subsidization Exists:

HRM; Bible Hill; Cumberland County; South Shorel; Cumberland County; South Shore

Vision

• Collaboration

• Building Capacity

• Policies

• Managerial Support

• Active Workplace Committees

• Shared best practices

Leader Presentation

(Heart & Stroke)

“Physical Activity

is the New Wonder

Drug”…

Even in the Workplace

Survey Says…””

• 490 participants screened and 38 health screening events completed:

• Gender Distribution: 28.8% Males 71.4% Females

• Average Age: 42

Health Risk Assessments:

•214 Health Risk Assessments completed

•36% were at high risk to very high risk

•43% were at moderate risk

•21% were at low or little risk

2015

Recommendations

• Website Development

• Municipal Recognition Challenge

• Regional Wellness Committees- (March 31,

2015 in Baddeck)

• February Employee Challenge – (Feb 2015)

• Promote Health Risk Assessment

“NOON HOUR BLAST”

FITNESS

MUNICIPALITY OF THE COUNTY OF VICTORIA EMPLOYEE ACTIVE LIVING SUBSIDIZATION PROGRAM

OBJECTIVE • The EMPLOYEE ACTIVE LIVING SUBSIDIZATION PROGRAM is a proactive approach to

the health of our employees, recognizing that physical activity, healthy eating and mental health are intertwined to achieve overall wellness

ELIGIBILITY • Participation in programs and activities that will improve employee’s health and wellness levels • Equipment costs and long-term activities (i.e.: gym membership, exercise classes), not greater than 50% of annual credit to facilitate participation in health and wellness programs or activities

PARTICIPATION • Wellness credit will match qualified spending by employee, up to a maximum of

$200. • All full time seasonal employees are eligible at a prorated level. If an employee

works for nine months of the year, they will be calculated based on months worked (9/12) and receive a credit up to $150.

• Employees and council members are eligible. Family members are not eligible for this program.

PROCESS: • Application would need to be filled out and submitted to the Workplace Wellness

Committee.

• They committee reviews each application.

• Upon approval, submit receipts to the committee. No payment can be made without receipts.

Application EMPLOYEE ACTIVE LIVING SUBSIDIZATION PROGRAM APPLICATION FORM Employee Name: ______________________________ Program/activity/equipment applied or: ____________ Total Cost of program: $____________________ Employee Cost: $__________________________ Credit amount applied for: $_________________ Benefits: (check all that apply) ____Physical Activity ___Weight Loss ____Recreation ____Mental health ___Smoking Cessation ____Mindfulness Office Use only: Date: _________________________________________ Approved: _____________________________________ Amount: $_________________________ Balance: $________________________

Benefits By encouraging and supporting employees in making healthy choices, the Municipality helps to improve employee health and therefore benefit from employees that are healthy and productive.

-Healthier & happier workplace -Employees benefitting physically, mentally, socially & environmentally -Reduction in personal health care expenses -Improved health & well-being -Increased cohesiveness, morale & job satisfaction, leading to positive attitude -Decreased absenteeism, less injuries -Increased productivity -Fewer insurance & workers’ compensation claims-Re-invest with return to work around wellness -Better retention & recruiting -Enhanced business reputation -Not only does the workplace affect the well-being of the worker, but the health of the worker affects the success of the organization

Employers should encourage employees to move more

http://www.participaction.com/blog/about-the-blog/

It’s time to take a close look at a major lifestyle threat to our health – the sedentary behaviour that’s become a big part of the work day. Indeed, evidence suggests

the time we adults spend chained to our desks is damaging to our health, perhaps even killing us

We need a movement that urges employers to create a workplace culture that encourages and facilitates employees making physical activity part of their personal and professional lives