Posts from — October 2008

Employee Health Services
• on-site medical services
• workplace medical examinations
• health risk testing and counselling:
• blood pressure testing,
• blood cholesterol testing,
• blood glucose testing clinics,
• thyroid testing,
• bone density testing,
• prostrate cancer testing
• encourage self-exams – breasts, testicles
• medical surveillance Initiatives
• immunizations and flu vaccinations
• Disability Management
• Active rehabilitation
• Return to work Initiatives
• Self-care Initiatives
• Disease management information and presentations:
• diabetes,
• stomach disorder,
• arthritis,
• asthma,
• allergy,
• foot and back care Initiatives,
• chronic fatigue,
• migraines
• Online health and wellness education with continuous learning/reminders/tips
• Daily/weekly/monthly email tips or news bulletins
• Fitness appraisals
• Safety and health fairs
• Hand-washing tips and reminders
• Visiting your doctor guide – tips to efficiency
• links and information on help lines

• clearly communicated vision and mission
• clear and accurate job descriptions
• supportive appraisal system
• worker empowerment through decision-making, pace of work and connection to corporate goals, (on-line tools that connect to goals such as Baxter Healthcare)
• two-way communication training
• ‘no lunch hour’ meeting rules unless it is a lunch ‘n’ learn
• absenteeism and attendance program
• career tracking, (on-line tools like Pfizer)
• continuing education
• job rotation, special project assignments
• time management
• innovative ideas program
• change and complaint process
• email guidelines
• technology courses and assistance
• vacation useage
• shift work rotations and breaks
• conflict management skills
• handling negative attitudes workshops

Occupational Wellness Initiatives: Management Training

• scheduling
• incentive and recognition Initiatives
• workload impact
• communication and feedback skills
• conflict management skills and support skills
• priority setting
• all of which are apart of the four employment relationship factors (trust, commitment, influence, and communication – from Canadian Policy Research Network)

Occupational Wellness Initiatives: Contributions and Benefits

• massage – try an on-site massage therapist or seated massage breaks
• orthotics
• orthodontics
• gym membership subsidies
• education subsidies
• tobacco cessation and weight control partial reimbursement incentives
• safety shoe reimbursement
• out-of-country coverage
• vision care
• alternative therapy coverage

Occupational Wellness Initiatives: Support Building
• exercise  breaks and stretches
• team challenges
• corporate sport teams such as soccer, volleyball, and hockey
• use workers who are in-house experts e.g., gardening, yoga, construction
• celebrate birthdays, anniversaries – other significant dates and achievements
• 5 minute catch-up at beginning of work week
• pot lucks and food for meetings
• green room for time outs and regrouping self
• encouraging face to face communications
• learn names

**The creation of health or harm within an organization depends on how work is managed.  Workplace Culture Strategies must address high demand/low control, high effort/low reward, fairness, purpose and trust.