Elevate your workplace health program
The Healthier Together Workplaces Program is built on a strong foundation of research and evidence. It highlights the essential elements of a healthy work environment and the benefits of workplace health. The evidence is summarized in the Healthier Together Workplaces Framework, which guides our simple 5-step planning approach.
Healthier Together Workplaces Framework
The Healthier Together Workplaces Framework focuses on four key areas that shape a healthy workplace:
- Physical environment
- Psychosocial environment
- Personal health resources
- Community connections
Action in these four areas can include a combination of programs, policies, health benefits, environmental supports and community partnerships - all designed to support employee health and safety. Achieving meaningful workplace health improvements in any of these areas requires five key enablers: strong leadership and culture, employee engagement, effective communication, an integrated and comprehensive approach and a commitment to continuous improvement. By focusing on these key areas and enablers, your workplace can build a healthier, more supportive environment for everyone.
Physical Environment
The physical environment refers to the conditions and surroundings within the workplace setting that can impact employee well-being and safety. This includes factors such as the layout of workspaces, ergonomics, ventilation, temperature, lighting, noise levels, cleanliness, and the presence of hazards or risks. Ensuring a safe and healthy physical environment involves identifying and addressing potential hazards, implementing safety measures and protocols, maintaining proper infrastructure and equipment, and promoting practices that support employee well-being and minimize the risk of accidents or injuries. Providing a safe physical work environment is a legal duty for employers and is the traditional focus of occupational health and safety.
Examples of workplace hazards:
- Chemical (e.g., pesticides, tobacco smoke)
- Physical (e.g., spills, radiation, noise, excessive heat, falls from heights)
- Biological (e.g., mold, food or water-borne pathogens)
- Ergonomic (e.g., excessive force, repetition heavy lifting)
- Mechanical (e.g., machine hazards)
- Energy (e.g., electrical hazards)
- Driving (e.g., icy conditions, poorly maintained vehicles)
Psychosocial Environment
The psychological and social aspects of work that influence employee mental and physical health and well-being. The psychosocial environment includes how work is organized, workplace relationships, working conditions and organizational culture (attitudes, values, beliefs and practices that are demonstrated on a daily basis).
In a healthy psychosocial work environment, employees experience positive relationships, a supportive culture and opportunities for growth and development, leading to greater job satisfaction, well-being and productivity.
Examples of psychosocial factors:
- Work organization (e.g., workload, support from supervisors, effective communication, reward and recognition)
- Organizational culture (e.g., promotes respect and inclusivity, champions diversity, equity and inclusion, supports employee well-being)
- Work hours and schedules (e.g., flexibility)
- Work-life balance
- Awareness and competence in dealing with mental health issues
- Job security
Personal Health Resources
Personal health resources refer to the individual assets, skills, knowledge and support systems that employees possess or have access to that contribute to their overall health and well-being. Workplaces can enhance personal health resources by creating supportive workplace environments (programs, policies, practices and resources) that enable employees to make healthy choices, cope with stress, and improve or maintain healthy behaviours.
Examples of personal health resources:
- Workplace programs (e.g., mental health programs, tobacco and vaping reduction programs, employee family assistance program)
- Policies (e.g., tobacco and vape free workplace policy)
- Practices (e.g., flexible work arrangements, healthy snack and drink options during meetings)
- Resources (e.g., chronic disease prevention information or education, availability of bike racks and showers)
Community Connections
Healthy community connections refer to the relationships and partnerships established between workplaces and the community at large to promote health and well-being. These connections benefit the workplace by providing access to diverse resources, expertise and support networks, while also benefitting the community by expanding access to health promoting initiatives and fostering collaboration on broader community health goals.
Examples of community connections:
- Provide health and fitness resources for workers, their families and for retired employees
- Allow community health partners to use company facilities to hold health-related events and activities
- Build a community garden on the organization’s property and donate food to the local food bank
- Encourage employees to volunteer with local initiatives
- Offer community grants programs
Enablers of Success
Taking action in the four key areas of the Healthier Together Workplaces framework is essential for building a healthy and productive workforce. However, success depends on key enablers that drive meaningful change and support employee well-being.
Leadership and Culture:
Strong leadership commitment, backed by resources, is essential for fostering a healthy workplace. Leaders play a critical role in setting clear workplace health goals, modeling positive behaviours and creating a culture of well-being - one built on open communication, trust, and collaboration. This culture ensures that workplace health remains a priority and is integrated into daily operations.
Employee Engagement and Participation:
Actively involving employees in shaping and informing workplace health initiatives leads to more effective programs, greater participation and stronger engagement. When employees have opportunities to share their insights, experiences, and feedback, workplace health initiatives can be better tailored to their interests and needs. This collaborative approach increases buy-in, ensures initiatives are relevant and inclusive and ultimately improves both employee well-being and organizational outcomes.
Communication:
Consistent and clear communication is essential for the success of workplace health initiatives. Providing regular updates and using multiple communication channels ensures employees are aware of available programs and resources. Offering opportunities for two-way communication, where employees can share feedback, ask questions and receive timely responses helps build trust and encourages engagement. A strong communication strategy keeps workplace health a priority and ensures employees feel informed and supported.
Integrated and Comprehensive Approach:
A successful workplace health program is embedded in policies, daily operations and overall business strategy. Aligning health and well-being goals with safety, human resources, and corporate social responsibility initiatives ensures that workplace health is not a standalone effort but a core part of the organization's mission and culture. A comprehensive approach provides a coordinated strategy that includes, policies, programs, benefits and environmental supports. When workplace health is fully integrated and comprehensive it becomes a shared responsibility across all levels of the organization leading to long term sustainability and meaningful impact.
Continuous Improvement:
A strong workplace health program evolves over time through continuous improvement. Regular assessment, feedback and adaptation help ensure initiatives remain effective and relevant to employees' needs. Organizations should establish processes to track progress, measure impact and identify areas for enhancement. Learning from successes and challenges fosters innovation and allows workplace health initiatives to stay responsive to changing workplace and business priorities. By committing to continuous improvement, organizations can build a culture of well-being that is sustainable, adaptable and positioned for long term success.
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