Drug Education and Intervention in the Workplace

Can a small organization support workplace wellness? You bet! In fact, in some ways it is easier to establish a healthy workplace in a small organization than in a large organization.

Limited resources, especially in small businesses, can prevent a corporation from setting up a Workplace Health Promotion Program. Reasons can include:

• lack of financial resources;
• lack of employee;
• lack of senior-level support;
• little knowledge of the wellness concept and;
• concern about making wellness available to all workers.

According to the Wellness Councils of America, some small corporation owners may have the wrong idea of what is involved in running a Workplace Health Promotion Program. Some employers aren’t sure a program would truly work and others feel that trying to change personal lifestyle behaviours is intruding and “none of their business”.  Perhaps they don’t be aware of that it doesn’t need to be costly and that they don’t need special employee. They may not be aware that some employee would like to see some healthy changes and would help make things happen in their workplace.

It Can Be Done

Many small businesses have found ways to have a Worksite Wellness Program that works for them. They keep the expense and effort to a minimum and still have results that are beneficial for everyone. In 2006, Graham Lowe wrote a report on the best places to work in Calgary. He said that healthy workplaces often have a “positive workplace culture”.  In a workplace with a beneficial culture, individuals feel appreciated, valued, and trusted.

Dr. Lowe says it is easier for a small workplace to have a beneficial workplace culture than for a big workplace. Many employees prefer to work for a small employer, he says, because it supplies more opportunities to work closely with others and foster a sense of community.

In his report, Dr. Lowe says the most successful employers with fewer than 100 staff members have:

• great employee benefits;
• policies that promote a balance between work and personal life;
• flexible schedules;
• competitive salaries;
• great leadership with an emphasis on teamwork;
• environmentally responsible organization policies;
• procedures for seeking employee input; and
• a focus on placing employees’ personal wellbeing ahead of the personal gain of Senior Management.

All or most of these elements are also components of a strong Company Wellness Program.

Tips and Ideas

There are many ways to include wellness and health in a small business. You may not necessarily need a wellness professional or a fancy fitness center. What you do need is backing from senior staff and a Employee Health Promotion Program Committee of a handful of committed people. Here are some ideas that your workplace can consider.

Communications and Promotion

• Send out a regular “wellness” newsletter on paper or internet based. Or send out a brief message such as the weekly Healthy U Hot Tip.
• Use promotions that are ready-designed, such as Healthy Workplace Week.

Active Living and Healthy Eating

• Urge employee to sign up for the Stairway to Health stair climbing competition.
• Have pedometers for staff members and count their steps.
• Rent a nearby school or community fitness center and offer exercise classes.
• Bring in a local fitness instructor to give classes or lead stretch breaks. Costs can be shared with workers.
• Install secure bicycle parking.
• Offer healthy alternatives at corporation meetings and lunches.

Policy and Company Initiatives

• Hire an ergonomics professional to evaluate workstations.
• Create policies to support work-life balance (for example, mandatory vacations, flextime, limits to work and e-mail on personal time).
• Provide a wellness subsidy for a variety of health and leadership activities and courses.
• Provide monetary incentives to be healthy.
• Give wellness incentives/rewards as rewards and recognition for a job well done.
• Conduct an organization health audit.
• Become a partner with the neighborhood (for example, daycare, gyms, festivals, parks, restaurants).
• Spread the workload. Establish a Workplace Wellness Program Committee.

Small corporations may not have an abundance of time, money, or human resources available for a Employee Wellness Program. But they frequently have a huge advantage over sizable companies-a beneficial workplace culture. That is a strong foundation for a Employee Wellness Program. When employees are satisfied, enjoy their work environment, they are more productive, and tend to be healthier.  With a little creativity and passion, small corporations can develop efficacious Employee Wellness Programs. Get support from management, form a Employee Wellness Program Committee of two or more and discover the possibilities!