Statistics show a rampant rise in obesity and health-related diseases in our culture, yet our largely inactive lifestyles seem to be proof that we’ve not yet motivated ourselves to take action to avoid the onset of health-related calamities—and their associated losses.
Workplace wellness may be a popular topic in the benefits space, but there is a lack of research clearly assessing the return on investment (ROI) of wellness programs. That was the message Dr. Michael Rouse, director of the health sector M.B.A. with the Richard Ivey School of Business, gave at a Sun Life Financial Wellness Institute breakfast yesterday in Toronto.
It looks like the majority of Canadian employers recognize the importance of wellness in the workplace, and are implementing programs to improve the health and well-being of their employees, according to research by the International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans (IFEBP).
Mental health is a growing concern for Canadian employers. According to research by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, mental health conditions account for approximately 30% of all disability claims and 70% of the associated plan costs.
Organizational Health Inc. (OHI)—a health management company specializing in employee and family assistance programs, substance management programs and wellness services—has launched three new mental health programs for Canadian employers: “Mental Health First Aid,” “Beating the Blues” and “Complex Issues. Clear Solutions.”
Homewood Human Solutions is turning its focus to social media as a way to encourage wellness among Canadians.
Our food-buying and consumption habits are influenced by a host of factors that never cross our conscious minds. And by simply changing the environment or situational context that people interact in, it is possible to affect their behaviour in a positive way, without needing to change their attitude or mindset.
In Canada, the majority of people who smoke are of working age. According to Statistics Canada’s 2010 Canadian Community Health Survey, almost three-quarters of Canadian smokers are between ages 20 and 64. Therefore, workplaces are ideal settings to promote, provide and support smoking cessation efforts.
Employers in British Columbia have a new tool at their disposal to help promote workplace wellness.
In 2009, in partnership with Sun Life Financial Canada, the US$14.4-billion manufacturer of automotive safety systems began offering online health risk assessments (HRAs) and biometric screenings north of the 49th to its roughly 500 salaried and non-union hourly employees at the Midland, St. Catharines, Tillsonburg, Windsor and Woodstock, Ont., plants.