Elevate your workplace health program to new heights.
The Healthier Together Workplaces Program was developed from a rigorous review of evidence that identified the essential elements of a healthy work environment and the benefits of workplace health. The evidence was summarized into the Healthier Together Workplaces Framework, which guides our 5-step planning approach.
Healthier Together Workplaces Framework
The Healthier Together Workplaces Framework guides coordinated action in four key areas:
- Physical environment
- Psychosocial environment
- Personal health resources
- Community connections
Action in these four areas includes - but is not limited to - a combination of programs, policies, health benefits, environmental supports and links to the surrounding community designed to meet the health and safety needs of all employees. Together, the four action areas cover all aspects of a healthy work environment. Success in implementing improvements within these areas depends on five key enablers: strong leadership and culture, active employee engagement, effective communication, an integrated and comprehensive approach and a commitment to continuous improvement.
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
Action within the four key areas of the Healthier Together Workplaces framework is vital for fostering a healthy and productive workforce. However, realizing meaningful action in these areas is dependent upon the presence of key enablers of success within the organization. These enablers serve as catalysts for driving positive change and facilitating initiatives that promote employee well-being and engagement.
Leadership and Culture:
Emphasizes the importance of strong leadership commitment backed by resources to foster a positive workplace health culture. It involves leaders setting clear workplace health goals, values, and expectations, while also demonstrating behaviors that promote employee well-being and engagement. A healthy workplace culture encourages open communication, trust, and collaboration, which are vital for creating a supportive work environment.
Employee Engagement and Participation:
Includes actively involving employees in shaping and informing workplace health initiatives. It creates opportunities for employees to contribute their insights, experiences, and feedback towards the development and implementation of workplace health programs. By engaging employees organizations can ensure that initiatives are tailored to their needs and preferences and generate greater buy-in, participation and improved health outcomes for their workforce.
Communication:
Focuses on fostering open and transparent communication channels between employees and management. It involves regularly promoting workplace health initiatives and resources and actively listening to employees' feedback, concerns and ideas, and providing timely and constructive communication in return. Two-way communication builds trust, increases employee engagement, and helps identify areas for improvement and innovation within the organization.
Integrated and Comprehensive Approach:
Involves integrating health promotion initiatives into all aspects of the organization, from policies and procedures to day-to-day operations.
- Health and well-being goals are integrated into the organization’s business strategy and linked to safety, human resource
and corporate social responsibility goals and initiatives - Policies governing employee health align with the organization’s mission, vision
and values
Taking a holistic and comprehensive approach ensures that workplace health programming represents the breadth of employee health interests and needs, is prioritized at every level of the organization and becomes ingrained in workplace culture.
Continuous Improvement:
An ongoing process of identifying opportunities for enhancement and making incremental changes to achieve better outcomes. It requires a commitment to regular assessment, feedback, and learning from both successes and failures. By continuously striving for improvement, organizations can adapt to changing needs, stay competitive, and foster a culture of innovation and excellence.
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