Wellness Program for Government Employees Announced

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION/HEALTH PROMOTION--Wellness Program for Government Employees Announced

The Nova Scotia government is launching a campaign aimed at making civil servants healthier. To celebrate Canada's Healthy Workplace Week, Oct. 25-29, the Public Service Commission, in partnership with the Office of Health Promotion, has committed to developing wellness programs across government.

Wellness is a broad and holistic concept that deals with an individual's physical and mental well-being. Although workplaces cannot be responsible for an employee's health, organizations can provide employees with tools and resources to help them achieve optimal health.

"Research in both the private and public sectors shows that workplace wellness programs make good social and business sense," said Human Resources Minister Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. "Organizations that have implemented wellness initiatives have achieved significant and far-reaching benefits by having healthy employees working in healthy environments. We are committed to helping departments develop their own wellness programs that are tailored to each work environment."

Wellness programs address the full range of health-related issues faced by employees, from repetitive strain injuries to stress, and juggling home and career.

"Our employees will have a key role in developing programs that meet their needs," said Ms. Bolivar-Getson. "Our employee survey indicated that some groups of staff have a hard time balancing family and career obligations. A comprehensive workplace wellness program will identify ways that employees can reduce workplace stress and restore balance to their lives."

Workplaces that promote health and wellness have experienced improved team environments and increased productivity, as well as decreased absenteeism, disability claims, and drug and health costs. Healthier employees in healthy workplaces have also had positive effects on their families and communities.

In 1996, a review of 10 major companies reported that the return on investment for every dollar spent in wellness initiatives was between $2 and $20.

"Focusing on the workplace is a natural place to start in improving the health of Nova Scotians," said Health Promotion Minister Rodney MacDonald. "These programs will improve the health of our employees and their families and will ultimately be applied to workplaces throughout the province. We will lead by example in helping organizations promote health and wellness for their employees."

Departmental programs will be based on the unique needs of each department's employees, as well as health issues that are common across government. Programs could include such things as: smoking cessation; weight control; flexible work options to better balance work and family; or information on nutrition. Some of these initiatives are already offered in departments and will serve as examples as government develops its organization-wide initiative.

A wellness co-ordinator will be hired in November to assist departments in developing their programs. Employees will be asked to provide information about their health concerns beginning in early 2005. This information will be used to help develop programs that meet their health needs. Departments will begin to see the development of programs shortly thereafter.

For more information on Canada's Healthy Workplace Week, go to www.nqi.ca/chww/index.htm .