Workplace Wellness: Chapter 14 Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. Chapter 14 Workplace Wellness: Work–Family and Health Promotion Programs Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-2 Learning Objectives • After reading this chapter, students should be able to: – discuss the concept of healthy workplaces – describe the goals of worksite health promotion and family-friendly programs – discuss the various types of worksite health promotion and family-friendly programs and comment on their effectiveness – identify variables critical to the success of worksite health promotion and family-friendly programs – discuss the importance of systematic evaluation of worksite health promotion and family-friendly policies Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-3 Workplace Wellness Programming • Active attempts should be made to ensure healthy and safe work environment • Canadian companies offer a range of wellness programs – E.g., 61% offer fitness and nutrition programs – E.g., 42% offer stress management programs Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-4 CSA-Z1003-13 • The focus on health at work is now rapidly growing in Canada. • For instance, in 2013 the Canadian Standards Association released CSA-Z1003-13, a voluntary workplace standard for psychological health and safety in the workplace. Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-5 Workplace Health Promotion: Would you use this? Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-6 Workplace Wellness Programming Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-7 Work–Family Conflict: Family-Friendly Policies in the Workplace Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-8 What does work-family Family-Friendly Policies conflict contribute to? • Work–Family Conflict – Inter-role conflict where pressures in the work high degree of work–family conflict and familyAdomains are incompatible contributes to; – Associated with reduced work performance and • perceived stress, increased absenteeism • poorer physical health, – Prevalence concern forfamily Canadian employees • decreased functioning, – Costly for •organizations and individuals increased mental health concerns (depression, anxiety, psychological distress), and increased alcohol use. Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-9 Family-Friendly Policies • Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) – Modifications to traditional work schedule – Two broad types of FWAs Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-10 Family-Friendly Policies: Flexible Work Arrangements FWA Type 1: Reduced Time in Workplace FWA Type 2: Increase Control of Schedule • Compressed Workweek • Flextime – Full-time hours in fewer days/week • Job Splitting – Employees to have variable start and finish work times • Flexplace – 2 people divide the responsibilities of a job • Job Sharing – 2 people share the responsibilities of a job – AKA telecommuting – Employees complete work assignments away from the office Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-11 Family-Friendly Policies • Personal Leave Systems – Policies that involve leave time for employees Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-12 What do Family-Friendly Policies • Personal Leave Systems these reduce? – Maternity leave – Parental leave • the occurrence of family-towork conflict. – Personal days • the incidence of unexcused absenteeism and tardiness. – Family leave Example: An employee who has – Sick leave a chronically ill child may use family leave and personal days to accompany the child on doctor’s visits and to care for the child. Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-13 Family-Friendly Policies: Family Care Benefits Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-14 Family-Friendly Policies • Family Care Benefits – Examples: • Daycare benefits • Eldercare benefits Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-15 Health Promotion Programs Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-16 Walking Meetings Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 9-17 With a group (you decide on number) Go for a walk around campus! Choose your route and a ‘Chairperson’ for the meeting. In your ‘meeting’ – What does ‘health’ mean to you? – What does ‘wellness’ mean to you? – What are your experiences with the various types of worksite health promotion and family-friendly programs? Were they effective? Why or why not? – This is voluntary, if you feel more comfortable staying in the class you are welcome to! Be prepared to come back in 15 minutes to discuss your responses…and rest . Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 9-18 Health Promotion Programs • Health Promotion: – Combination of diagnostic, educational, and behavioural modification activities designed to support attainment and maintenance of positive health Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-19 Health Promotion Programs Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-20 Health Promotion Programs • Employee and family assistance programs (EFAPs) – With a partner, research an EAP/EFAP provider (Canadian). • What services do they deliver? To whom? • Use flipchart paper and be prepared to share with the class. Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-21 Health Promotion Programs • Employee and family assistance programs (EFAPs) • https://www.morneaushepell.com/caen/employee-and-family-assistance-programs • https://homewoodhealth.com/corporate/service s/stay-at-work/efap – Provide counselling and assistance to employees and their family members with problems that may interfere with worker productivity like: • Alcohol and other drug abuse • Emotional or behavioural problems among family members • Financial or legal problems – Services are accessible and confidential Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-22 Health Promotion Programs Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-23 Health Promotion Programs • Stress Management Programs – Cognitive-Behavioural Skills Training • Helps people to think about events in new ways and to be aware of how they view stressful events • Provides skills for coping with stress – Relaxation Training, Meditation, and Mindfulness • Relaxation training focuses on relaxing the physical body • Meditation focuses on quieting the mind • Mindfulness brings attention to the present moment – Increasing Social Support Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-24 A Spa-Inspired Office Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-25 Health Promotion Programs • Stress Management – How effective are stress-management programs? • More comprehensive studies are needed • Review studies suggest that cognitive-behavioural interventions appear to be the most effective Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-26 Health Promotion Programs Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-27 Health Promotion Programs: Lifestyle Programming Education Screening Behavioural Lifestyle Changes Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-28 Health Promotion Programs • Worksite Health Promotion: Lifestyle Changes – Most common programs are designed to affect an employee’s health practices or physical lifestyle • Smoking cessation • Alcohol and drug testing • Hypertension screening • Nutrition and weight control • Physical fitness programs Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. How can employers change employees’ lifestyles? 14-29 Health Promotion Programs • Lifestyle Programming – Steps in secondary-level health promotion programs: • Step 1: Physical or psychological assessment • Step 2: Counselling concerning findings and recommendations about personal health promotion • Step 3: Referral to in-house or community-based resources Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-30 Health Promotion Programs • Lifestyle Programming – Steps in tertiary-level health promotion programs: • The identification of currently symptomatic as well as high-risk individuals • The appropriate referral or treatment of individuals • Treatment directed at the symptom, delivered by the appropriate professionals • Follow-up with the client to ensure the treatment was effective • Evaluation of health improvement and cost efficacy Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-31 Health Promotion Programs • Developing a Successful Program – Keep program in line with workplace goals and values – Consider multiple factors that influence health, including those at the individual, cultural, and policy factors – Target programs to a range of health issues – Tailor programs to meet specific needs – Aim for high participation – Engage in thorough evaluation – Communicate program success to the stakeholders Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-32 Health Promotion Programs • Unintended Consequences of WHP Programs – Reduction of health care use by employees may lead to higher unit costs – Participation in fitness programs may cause work disruptions, increase fatigue, lower performance, and increase accidents among those starting a program – Health promotion can cause friction among workers – Diagnosis of previously unknown risk factors may contribute to absenteeism (e.g., doctor’s appointments) Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-33 Health Promotion Programs • Overall Evaluation – There are mixed results: • Some studies show workplace health promotion programs reduce absenteeism • Lack of systematic research on various categories of programs make it difficult to reach a definitive conclusion about efficacy • Studies often have methodological flaws Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-34 What’s in the news? • https://globalnews.ca/video/rd/1563501635570/ ?jwsource=cl • https://globalnews.ca/video/rd/1359232067862/ ?jwsource=cl 2 stories from Global News: https://globalnews.ca/news/5465787/harassmentworkplace-federal-government Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd. 14-35
