Living Healthy Programs 

• stress management and mental health programs (especially depression, SAD, GAD as mental illness will affect 1 in 4)

• substance use and abuse programs

• smoking cessation and control

• nutrition counselling 

• weight control programs and counselling

• encourage use of food logs

• posting BMI charts

• add juice dispensing machines 

• add water coolers 

• vending machines with low-calorie snack choices

• vending machines with fruit, vegetable and calcium choices

• posting nutritional information on vending machines

• colour-coded cafeteria choices

• encourage breakfast - suggest choices to start the day

• healthy packed lunch ideas for adults and kids

• partnering with local restaurants for healthy lunch choices

• healthy recipes on-line

• healthy or low-cost cooking programs

• healthy shopping instruction

• naturopaths, homeopaths, herbal remedies and vitamins

• information sessions on fad diets

• disease prevention information 

• STD's

• active living and fitness programs such as a aerobics, walking or cycling clubs

• self-defense

• relaxation training

• chiropractors

• relaxation and energy specialists

• stretching classes such as yoga, tai chi

• active living challenges

• walking challenges with pedometers

• stair climbing challenge

• sleep and sleep disorders e.g. snoring 

• napping information and sleep rooms

• alertness and driving sessions

• encouraging light breaks

• create a wellness Yellow Pages

• information sessions on 

  • insect bites, 

  • memory enhancement, 

  • motion sickness, 

  • nose bleeds, 

  • healthy skin, 

  • frost bite, 

  • gingivitis and mouth care, 

  • hair loss, 

  • ear infections, 

  • fever, 

  • psoriasis, 

  • TMJ, 

  • varicose veins, 

  • shingles, 

  • defensive driving, 

  • sun safety, 

  • avoiding home and vehicle theft, 

  • food safety

  • handwashing

 **Healthy Living Programs should assist in the development of self-efficacy which means that the individual has a senses that they can influence the course of events in their normal daily life, that they can deal with their normal consequences, that they feel confident and sure of themselves.

Environment Strategies

• violence in the workplace 

• equity in the workplace  

• harassment policy and training

• literacy/numeracy programs

• professional development and skill enhancing training

• air quality and sick building testing

• smoke-free workplace

• fire safety

• hazard control and WHIMS Training

• injury prevention, CPR/First Aid, emergency response programs

• improved signage

• installing guard rails

• work station design, ergonomic and repetitive strain reduction training

• stretching

• health and safety written and implemented policies

• Safety Audits

• access to bike racks, showers and change areas

• make stairs attractive and post signs to encourage their use

• proper lighting

• monitoring noise levels

• shift work strategies related to lighting, noise, air, breaks etc.

Attaining Balance Programs 

• childcare programs and information

• family planning information

• parenting classes

• elder care programs and information

• retirement planning

• personal responsibility leave

• alternative work arrangements such as telecommuting, job sharing

• work-family-life transition support

• anger management and family violence

• family counselling

• budgeting and financial counselling 

• understanding credit reports

• money safety tips - ATMS, credit cards

• advertising and promotion of community support groups

• cafeteria take-out program

• tax preparation

• will, power of attorney, and estate experts

• vacation planning and safe travel

• interpersonal relationship speakers

• motivational speakers

• bereavement information

• shift work and lifestyle programs

• limit overtime

• balance on-line suggestions such as SC Johnson

• family days - bike rodeos, BBQ, picnics

• swimming pool safety

• charity information - United Way, MADD

• other information sessions on: 

  • chemical free lawn and garden care, 

  • menopause, 

  • infertility, 

  • lice prevention, 

  • poisoning, 

  • fire safety, 

  • seat belts and booster seats, 

  • playground safety, 

  • internet safety, 

  • home safety and energy efficiency

Dynamics and Culture Strategies 

• clearly communicated vision and mission

• clear and accurate job descriptions

• supportive appraisal system

• employee empowerment through decision-making, pace of work and connection to corporate goals, (on-line tools that connect to goals such as Baxter Healthcare)

• two-way communication training

• ‘no lunch hour’ meeting rules unless it is a lunch ‘n’ learn

• absenteeism and attendance program

• career tracking, (on-line tools like Pfizer)

• continuing education

• job rotation, special project assignments

• time management and interruption management

• creative ideas program

• change and complaint process

• email guidelines

• technology courses and assistance

• vacation useage

• shift work rotations and breaks

• conflict management skills

• handling negative attitudes workshops

Management training 

• scheduling

• incentive and recognition programs

• workload impact

• communication and feedback skills

• conflict management skills and support skills

• priority setting

• all of which are apart of the four employment relationship factors (trust, commitment, influence, and communication – from Canadian Policy Research Network)

 **The creation of health or harm within an organization depends on how work is managed.  Workplace Culture Strategies must address high demand/low control, high effort/low reward, fairness, purpose and trust.

Employee Health Services

• access to an EAP

• on-site medical services

• workplace medical examinations

• health risk screening and counselling:

  • blood pressure, 

  • blood cholesterol ,

  • blood glucose clinics, 

  • thyroid. 

  • bone density screening, 

  • prostrate

• encourage self-exams - breasts, testicles

• medical surveillance programs

• immunization and flu shots

• disability case management

• active rehabilitation

• return to work initiatives

• self-care education (see health living programs)

• disease management information and presentations:

  • diabetes, 

  • stomach disorder, 

  • arthritis, 

  • asthma, 

  • allergy, 

  • pain control, 

  • foot and back care programs, 

  • chronic fatigue,

  • migraines

• health on-line with continuous learning/reminders/tips

• daily/weekly/monthly email tips or news bulletins

• fitness appraisals

• health and safety fairs

• hand-washing tips and reminders

• visiting your doctor guide - tips to efficiency

• links and information on help lines

Remuneration and Benefits 

• massage - try an on-site massage therapist or seated massage breaks

• orthotics

• orthodontics

• fitness subsidies

• education subsidies

• cessation and weight control partial reimbursement incentives

• safety shoe reimbursement

• out-of-country coverage

• vision care

• alternative therapy coverage

Support Building 

• fitness breaks and stretches

• team challenges

• corporate sport teams such as soccer, volleyball, and hockey

• use employees who are in-house experts e.g., gardening, yoga, construction

• celebrate birthdays, anniversaries - other significant dates and achievements

• 5 minute catch-up at beginning of work week

• pot lucks and food for meetings

• green room for time outs and regrouping self

• encouraging face to face communications

• learn names