Workplace Health Promotion Network
Do you have a mentally and physically healthy workplace?
With up to 50% of workers claiming that occupational stress leads to absenteeism, and 41% saying it causes poor work performance, employers are beginning to recognise the need for a workplace which is mentally as well as physically healthy, and goes beyond the basic OH&S requirements.
Some of Australia’s most prominent companies are now creating roles within their workforce specifically to address this. For example, Lion Nathan a ‘Health and Wellbeing Coordinator’, and Ernst & Young a ‘National Health and Wellbeing Manager’.
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In addition, a new network called the Workplace Health Promotion Network has been developed by Mental Health Association NSW to nurture this important trend and help employers promote health in the workplace. |
Corporate executives from companies such as Fosters, AMP, Ernst & Young, Westpac, ATO, Integral Energy, Pfizer, Coles Group and the ATO, etc., have begun to attend quarterly meetings to meet each other, share information and resources and hear from top calibre speakers such as Dr Timothy Sharp (aka Dr Happy from the Happiness Institute).
The inaugural meeting took place during last year’s Mental Health Week with Anne Hollonds, CEO Relationships Australia as the guest speaker. The first gathering was successful with attendees walking away feeling energised to use the tips they had learned to promote health in their places of work. The second meeting, held in February, had an equally positive outcome.
According to Gillian Church, CEO, Mental Health Association NSW, Australians are working longer hours than ever before. “In order to maintain our mental health and wellbeing, as well as our physical health, we need to have a healthy workplace,” she said. “Smart employers are catching on to the wide range of benefits, not to mention the sound business sense, of supporting their staff’s health.”
“A mentally healthy workplace is one in which employees feel a sense of security, support and accomplishment with their work, and within their place of work. Mentally healthy workplaces experience high rates of employee retention and satisfaction and low rates of absence due to sickness and stress. Such workplaces also provide a secure environment for employees to express their needs and concerns without the fear of reprisal or disapproval, and all levels of employees are provided with support through training, mentorship and positive feedback.”
Avant Card Australia, Ernst & Young and Swiss Re are good examples of organisations lauded for their reputations as mentally healthy workplaces. They all experience high employee retention rates and reported job satisfaction.
Avant Card National Sales Manager, Sondra Ekambi attributes Avant Card’s ethical philosophy of conduct with clients and the community as a reason for their high level of employee job satisfaction. “This enables us as employees to have a sense of pride in the work we do and a healthy respect for the company we work for. In addition, all staff are asked to contribute ideas to the company structure and we each have the opportunity to give back to the community through sponsorship programs”. Avant Card also provides employees with background music in the workspace, monthly massages, yearly bonuses and birthday lunches and gifts.
The Workplace Health Promotion Network’s next meeting, 25th May 2007, focuses on promoting health in the workplace. With Marilyn Wise, Executive Director of the Australian Centre for Health Promotion as guest speaker, the meeting will be held at the offices of IAG in Sydney’s CBD. For further information on the upcoming meeting or to learn more about the network, please contact Marietta Davis on 02 9339 6006 or mdavis@mentalhealth.asn.au.
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Mental Health Association NSW Inc Level 580 William St East Sydney, NSW 2011 Fax: (02) 9339 6066 Phone: (02) 9339 6000 promoadmin@mentalhealth.asn.au www.mentalhealth.asn.au |
