Welcome to HWS Magazine’s new Workplace Wellness section. We will be introducing topics related to health and wellness at work, while exploring ways employees and employers can work together to build healthier workplaces. This section is a great way to build on your workplace’s current wellness programs or to use as a resource to create a new one.
 

Historically, Workplace Wellness was focused on employees safety and injury prevention. Since the 1970’s, employers have found that investing in employee health made good business sense. With rising health costs and increased information about disease prevention, Workplace Wellness has become a great way for Canadian businesses to bring information on health related topics to their employees.

Typically topics can include:
• physical exercise
• smoking cessation
• diabetes prevention
• cardiac care
• emotional wellness including depression, anxiety and stress nutrition

Both large and small companies can really benefit from taking the time to increase the sense of wellness their employees have. It makes good business sense. There are many benefits to employees and employers that commonly arise from having a wellness program in place such as:
• improved employee health
• higher employee productivity
• better employee morale
• lower absenteeism

As for employees, having a workplace that holds a high interest in their wellness is important. Most Canadian adults feel that taking care of their health is difficult due to barriers such as a lack of time or energy, the cost of taking part in activities, and the demands of family. Having an employer who can support the health and wellness of the employee can provide a solution to many of these barriers.
 

We are looking forward to offering you solutions, sharing local success stories and hearing your ideas on how to keep Niagara workplaces great!

Michelle MacIntosh is the owner of Symmetries—Balance for Work, Balance for Life. For more information please contact Michelle at 905.941.0000, michelle@symmetries.ca or visit www.symmetries.ca