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A Workplace Health Program

Blythe, S., Ellis, C., Forster, L., Johnson, F., Mobach, P., & Paech, T. (2002). 'The Employee Health Committee - promoting holistic workplace health.' In Morrow, L., Verins, I., & Willis, E. (Eds.), Mental health and work: Issues and perspectives. Adelaide: Auseinet: The Australian Network for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health.

In this chapter, members of an employee health committee track the establishment of an employee health and wellbeing initiative by a group of staff members. Meetings were held, a voluntary committee formed, and statements of purpose and principle based on a social model of health were determined.

The purposes of the employee health committee are:

  • supporting and valuing employees
  • promoting employee health
  • facilitating connectedness and the growth of social capital.

The principles of the committee are:

  • ownership
  • consultation
  • sustainability
  • innovation.

'These statements guided the group away from a medical model and towards more socially-based activities that increased a sense of belonging and connection, and hopefully (made for more) psychological wellbeing' (p. 308).

The group lists the following achievements.

Staff room facilities: With a view to providing a venue to promote social connectedness and cohesion. Observed benefits included people taking lunch breaks, more opportunities for meeting and networking, and transmission of information (and jokes) via a noticeboard. 'All these have potential to improve social connectedness, reduce occupational stress and promote a sense of belonging and (of) being valued - all of which may in turn improve psychological wellbeing' (p. 309).

Volunteering: Volunteering is thought to reinforce social connections and the sense that one is part of a larger community. Volunteering was encouraged through a blood donation program. Fundraising activities such as morning teas were held.

Stress reduction and social activity: A masseur and flu injections were paid for and health promotion sessions planned. A social event outside of working hours was poorly attended, giving rise to the need to consider developing social connections within working hours.

Walking the talk: Committee members declared their aim to do the things they ask other people to do - promoting a positive and healthy workplace at all times. This includes portraying the workplace in a positive way, and promoting discussion of solutions to problems rather than reacting negatively.

The committee stresses that initiatives such as the employee health committee need to be supported by management, but not driven by management.

The World Health Organization has identified the following seven factors as crucial to the success of workplace health.

  • Active support by senior management
  • Worker participation at all stages
  • Flexible content determined by the needs of workers
  • Links with community services and activities
  • Complement individual behaviour change with organisational change
  • Run programs in company time
  • Voluntary participation

(WHO, 1999, cited in Blythe et al., 2002, p. 313)