The best ways to keep your employees well

Are you investing enough in your employees' health and wellbeing?

This month has been declared Healthy Workplace Month, with Great West-Life and Excellence Canada teaming up in a bid to get more employers to commit to creating healthy workplaces for their employees.

“It doesn’t happen by accident,” they said in a joint statement, urging leaders to encourage staff to be more active and take a greater interest in their wellness for the month.

Through a campaign and a series of activities throughout October, the two organizations are urging:

• Advanced employers to share their stories of success and learnings;
• Those implementing programs and plans to reach higher and go faster; and
• Those just starting out to engage their employees with group activities and raised awareness.

As a starting point, HR professionals can encourage staff to be more active – whether that's walking to work, taking the stairs, or using a standing desk. They can also look to organize a workplace wellness challenge or health fair, and suggest workers take regular breaks to stretch, or even hold walking meetings.  

The benefits of healthy workplaces are well-documented. They include:

• Employee engagement
• Improved customer experience
• Productivity
• Communication
• Focus on process and risk management
• Cost reduction and profitability
• Culture of prevention versus correction

"Healthy workplaces make for healthier, happier and more productive teams," said Annastasia Lambert, Manager, Wellness Services, Great-West Life.

"Never in history have so many organizations placed so much importance on improving the physical and mental health of their employees," said Allan Ebedes, President and CEO of Excellence Canada.

"And never have there been such valuable resources available to support this noble movement.”


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