The average Canadian worker spends an average of 10.5 hours a day getting to, and being at work. This makes the workplace an ideal place to support people in making everyday healthy choices that will help prevent ill-health and disease. Creating a healthy, safe work environment is also good for business. Healthy workplaces enjoy better productivity, better morale, and can make a company an employer of choice.
The first step in creating a healthy workplace is to make a commitment that health and well-being is a priority.
Click the tabs for steps you can take to foster commitment.
Create a policy that shows why a healthy workplace is important to your organization. This could include:
- Making a commitment to providing a safe, productive and supportive work environment.
- Making a commitment to creating a supportive workplace culture where healthy lifestyle choices are encouraged.
- Providing examples of how employees can contribute to the policy.
- Plan your communication about the policy, how often it will be reviewed, and how you will track progress.
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Find best practices advice on Comprehensive Workplace Health Promotion from Public Health Ontario
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Healthy Workplace Strategies: Creating Change and Achieving Results, from Health Canada
- Work Life Balance: How Balanced is Your Business and see page 11
- Access professional advice and self-care resources available from HealthLinkBC, QuitNow, Physical Activity Line, Bounce Back and Here To Help BC
- Choose a champion to promote your healthy workplace program
- Assess your current state, and ask "what would make our workplace healthier?" to guide your efforts
- Check out Healthy Workplaces, a workplace wellness program for BC businesses
- Get support for workplace health from all parts of the organization, including management. Leaders need to commit to, and be involved in, creating a healthy workplace
- Support your healthy workplace by establishing a workplace wellness committee (or build on existing ones)
- Encourage employee participation in healthy workplace activities. Use incentives to increase participation and maintain staff motivation.
