Employee health linked to productivity.

Having programs and resources in place to facilitate a stronger working environment and healthy workplace team will go a long way toward boosting and maintaining productivity levels and retaining employees, health officials say.

Approximately 35 per cent of Canadians suffer from inactivity. It is one of the more significant health challenges facing the workforce today.

Some employers may not see the benefits to improving workplace wellness, but there are many. According to information distributed by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, employees who take in physical activity have an improved overall quality of work life, elevated concentration and production levels and reduced absenteeism. Annual Canadian health costs for diseases linked to physical inactivity are estimated to be $2.5 billion.

Susan Armstrong, public health nurse specializing in workplace wellness at the Thunder Bay and District Health Unit, has some advice for employers willing to change the workplace regime.

"You have to start with building awareness and education before you can work on action."

The next step would be to determine what the employee priorities are and address those things first.

"That is one way to show a commitment," Armstrong says. "That really does show support from the management level."

Establishing policies to be used as guidelines for workplace wellness is the best way of addressing the "how-to" questions.

For instance, workers may want to have physical exercise programs each day.

"Maybe during the lunch hour they can offer onsite aerobics classes or walking groups," Armstrong adds.

In addition, they may want to add in a few healthy nutrition classes for people interested in knowing more about healthy living. There are companies that provide Eat Smart cafeterias.

Some changes require organizations and planning, however others may be just as small as providing healthy snacks at the vending machine so that employees have choices.

"We do encourage them to have ideally 30 per cent of what is in that vending machine to be a healthier choice," Armstrong responds.

In keeping with the same ideology, more mothers are coming back to work after being off on maternity leave and some will still be nursing, therefore flexibility around continuation of breastfeeding is ideal.

Stress is known to have significant effects on employees, and although the health unit is not mandated to assist employers in dealing with stress in the workplace this year, it is included in their draft mandate for next year.

She does say there is a need for employees to have some control over their workplace environment.

"It's that loss of control that sort of reduces satisfaction on the job and I guess it's nice if an employer can be flexible around all their needs."

By KELLY LOUISEIZE

Northern Ontario Business