Fostering healthy workplaces

Rotorua businesses are being offered free advice on how to design and implement an effective employee wellness programme.

It is more than three years since Toi Te Ora - Public Health Service launched its WorkWell programme across the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts.

The programme helps businesses put in place strategies for managing employee well-being by focusing on the impact of the working environment and organisational systems. Project lead Meghan Ruha said 48 workplaces now participated in the programme, which is free to firms in the region, including 15 in Rotorua.

Rotorua members are leading the way with the Rotorua General Practice Group, Red Stag Timber and Lakes District Health Board the only members to have achieved silver accreditation. That means they have met a comprehensive list of criteria and passed a workplace site assessment.

Next week, the WorkWell team will hold two free workshops at the Redwoods Visitor Centre, which are open to all businesses, not just members, that want to learn more about workplace wellness initiatives and how to identify and address barriers to participation.

Ms Ruha and a team of four advisers spend their days helping companies improve the health and well-being of staff.

"The idea behind WorkWell is that the model becomes ingrained within the everyday functioning of participating businesses so, as they become more experienced with implementation, they require our support less and less. This helps ensure sustainable results that are relevant to individual workplaces," she said.

Activities were tailored to the needs and motivations of individual workforces, but a key priority for all was to establish supportive environments.

"Much of our emphasis is on the development of supportive policy and organisational culture, including active support and participation from senior management," she said.

Workplaces that took part were generally getting good uptake from staff.

"As a public health unit, however, we have a particular interest in ensuring programmes like WorkWell are working for those with the highest health needs - and not just those who are accessing health services and better choices without support.

"Many of those with high health needs face a range of barriers, and these are the things that many of our workplaces want support in addressing."

Rotorua-based forestry company Pederson Group joined the programme about 18 months ago and has bronze accreditation. Health and safety manager Joanne Allan said the company wanted to put a wellness programme in place to help its ageing workforce look after themselves better.

"[WorkWell] had all the tools we needed - good website, tools, good advisers," she said. "It's been excellent."

She said the company had aimed to raise awareness of healthy eating, sun safety and increasing physical activity - in March more than half the staff took part in a pedometer challenge.

"It's gained momentum ... we are constantly looking for the next thing we could do," she said. "It's been a really good journey."

What's involved

Activities by WorkWell members have included:

Provision of new facilities or upgrade of existing ones - bike racks, showers, fitness equipment, freezers for storage of healthy meals, fresh water storage, vegetable gardens on site.

Review of communication channels to find innovative ways of getting information out to staff such as newsletters, social media and family fun days.

Consideration of healthier choices in building renovations - the placement of stairways, sun shade, condition of walkways.

Provision of educational opportunities to staff such as information sessions, cooking displays, brochures and posters, family fun days.

Access to support services - quit coaches and resources, financial/budgeting support.

Sponsorship for entry to local events such as runs/walks, sports teams.

The free workshops will be held on Tuesday from 7.30am to 9am and Wednesday from 2.30pm to 4pm. Places are limited. To register email work.well@bopdhb.govt.nz or call 0800 221 555.