Workplace Wellness as a Competitive Advantage!
According to the NovaKnowledge Report Card on Health, Safety and Prosperity (June 2010), Nova Scotia lags behind most of the rest of the country on several health and wellness indicators, including having some of the poorest rankings on the following:
• Cardiovascular disease/high blood pressure (ranking 1st in Canada = worst)
• Mood disorders (1st)
• Newly reported cases of cancer (1st)
• Excess weight (2nd)
• Diabetes (3rd)
And we know that employee absenteeism is costing NS a whopping $538 million per year!! What we also know is that absenteeism is not always due to illness or injury – sometimes it is a reflection of workplace (or personal) stress, lack of employee engagement, and other factors over which the organization has some influence.
In this era of global competition – and even just within the Canadian marketplace – it is evident that the costs we are paying in absenteeism are making it very difficult for Nova Scotia (and Atlantic Canada) to compete!
What we know:
• Our population is aging: Nova Scotia has the highest proportion of seniors (at 16.0%), a number which is expected to nearly double within the next 25 years!*
• Our incidents of serious disease and injury are some of the worst in the country
• Our workforce consists of various generations, each with its own values and motivations
• Keeping and retaining quality workers, from a shrinking labour pool, is challenging
But what can we do?
We need to invest in our workforce where it generates the biggest value for our employees and for the organization. The smartest employers are realizing the value of Workplace Wellness Programs in terms of increasing the following:
• Employee engagement
• Attendance
• Productivity
• Profitability
• Competitiveness and Sustainability in the Marketplace!
Innovative Businesses are Winning
Some local organizations are leading the charge in terms of employee health and wellness, and are reaping the rewards.
For example, Emera and its largest subsidiary, Nova Scotia Power, realize the value of investing in their employees’ health and wellness. According to a May 13 article in The Chronicle Herald featuring Emera’s Executive Vice-President of Human Resources and “Chief Fitness Officer”, Sarah MacDonald, Emera has seen significant benefits since focussing on employee health and wellness in 2001. They boast incidents of sick leave at half the national average, and an incredible return of over $7 for every $1 spent on employee health and wellness!!
Who Do You Know?
If you know of some organizations in Nova Scotia – or in Atlantic Canada – who are leading the charge in terms of Workplace Wellness, let us know and we can celebrate them! Simply submit a COMMENT or send us an e-mail (info@lighthousewellness.ca) to share the word.
On the other hand, if you know of an organization – or are part of one – that would benefit from a Workplace Wellness Program (or specific initiatives related to Wellness), please drop us a line. We would love to share some information about how this is a “win-win” investment – good for the employees and a strategic investment for the organization as well!
~ Workplace Wellness Programs ~
Making Dollar$ and $ense
Looking forward to hearing some success stories of organizations – and individuals – benefitting from Workplace Wellness, as part of "Whole-Life Wellness"!!
Gail
Lighthouse Wellness Strategies
(* Human Resources and Skills Development Canada http://www4.hrsdc.gc.ca/.3ndic.1t.4r@-eng.jsp?iid=33)
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