Corporate Health & Wellness Magazine

CORPORATE

MARCH 2016 Issue 1 Volume 1

DEBRA McCURRY Balancing Work, Family & Health

Senior Workers Getting Them To The Gym.

8 Training Workout Which Can Cause You Injury.

INSIDE

The Fitness Facility Insource or Outsourcing?

IN THIS ISSUE

Managing Editor Wilson Fitness Coach Editor Thandi Mokwena Layout Llaai Ntsoane Advertising & Bussiness Development Thando Ncube Office Secretary Asanda Abraham Contributors Lebogang Seema Kgothatso Tloma Dee Nkosi Tinyiko Maluleke Thato Zwane Published by onesevenone communications 171 Block K Soshanguve, 0152 SOSHANGUVE TOWNSHIP Ph: 073 040 8061 sacrèche@gmail.com www.sacreche.co.za

Editor’s note Editor Khutso Ntsoane

Every day we wake up with the hope that the day ahead will be better than yesterday. Parents go out of their way to make sure that their children have a better upbringing than the one they had. The same goes for SAcrèche Magazine.

South Africa is waking up to a new transforming country every day. On 18 July we celebrate the life of one of the world’s greatest men, President Nelson Mandela, with 67 minutes of charity on Mandela Day. In 1994 we closed a very painful chapter and on page 28 we look at children’s rights to equality in ECD. Ideas on how to celebrate Mandela Day with your children are in our cover story. In our Health section on page 6, educate yourself on Mental Health conditions. Your child might be suffering from one without you even knowing it.

South Africa is one of the worst nations when it comes to savings. Financial education is key in growing a savings culture and this can be done by educating our young ones and involving them in real money matters. In our finance section we talk about saving 10% of your income regularly because July is National Savings Month.

Printer Paarl Media Paarl

EMPLOYEE A L E X A N D E R F O R B E S G Y M M AG A Z I N E

The articles contained herein are intended for informational purposes only. They are not to replace the attention or advice of medical and education specialists.

Anyone embarking on dietary, medicine, learning and finanacial advice described in this magazine should be first consult with a care of professional. The SA Crèche magazine takes no responsibility.

MARCH 2016 Issue 1 Volume 1

RECIPES FOR LEAN MUSCLES

FREE

H.I.I.T High Intensity Interval Training

8

Ways to Promote

Wellness

ONSITE FITNESS FACILITY insource or outsource

LEAN&

MEAN IN 2016

HEALTH | FITNESS | LIFE | NUTRITION | GEAR | GROOMING

01|Employee Health & Wellness

INSIDE

CONTENTS

REGULARS 03. news

FEATURES

05. industry trends

14. gym virgins

06. right equipment

17. financial health

08. then & now

22. wellness retreats

12. facility manager

27. all about shoes

05.

13.

23.

18.

Employee Health & Wellness|02

THE NEWS

Ideas on how to celebrate Mandela Day with your children are in our cover story. In our Health section on page 6, educate yourself on Mental Health conditions. Your child might be suffering from one without you even knowing it.

Ideas on how to celebrate Mandela Day with your children are in our cover story. In our Health section on page 6, educate yourself on Mental Health conditions. Your child might be suffering from one without you even knowing it.

Your child might be suffering from one without you even knowing it.

Ideas on how to celebrate Mandela Day with your children are in our cover story. In our Health section on page 6, educate yourself on Mental Health conditions. Your child might be suffering from one without you even knowing it.

Ideas on how to celebrate Mandela Day with your children are in our cover story. In our Health section on page 6, educate yourself on Mental Health conditions. Your

03|Employee Health & Wellness

Ideas on how to celebrate Mandela Day with your children are in our cover story. In our Health section on page 6, educate yourself on Mental Health conditions. Your child might be suffering from one without you even knowing it.

Your child might be suffering from one without you

Ideas on how to celebrate Mandela Day with your children are in our cover story. In our Health section on page 6, educate yourself on Mental Health conditions.

Your child might be suffering from one without you even knowing it.

Your child might be suffering from one without you even knowing it.

INDUSTRY TRENDS

Employee Health & Wellness|04

TRAINING

WEEK WORK OUT PLAN

MANY OF THE PROB- MANY OF THE PROB- MANY OF THE PROBLEMS THAT ADULTS LEMS THAT ADULTS LEMS THAT ADULTS Many of the problems that adults are dealing with today have their foundation in how they grew up during their childhood. Weight problems, emotional issues, problems concerning school and

education and general social issues all have some form of link to a person’s development during the first years of life. The first years have a big impact on the physical, behavioral, social and emotional

development of all people.

Early Childhood Development has been identified by Government as one of the important interventions because it is critical in improving the quality of basic education in the country. ECD, according to the DSD, is any public or private, formal or informal location wherein ECD services are offered to 6 or more children. It is up to

05|Employee Health & Wellness

Local Government to ensure that children and their communities have access to water & sanitation services, daycare services, play parks, recreation facilities and book and toy libraries. As important as ECD children rather than teaching and development. Over 90% of the centres today do not follow a standard curriculum and they teach what they deem fit.

SIMPLE WOROUT FOR BIGINNERS

Early Childhood Development has been identified

by Government as one of the important interventions because it is critical in improving the quality of basic education in the country. ECD, according to the DSD, is any public or private, formal or informal location wherein ECD services are offered to 6 or more children. It is up to

Employee Health & Wellness|06

MEDICAL BENEFITS

07|Employee Health & Wellness

WELLNESS

FITNESS

FOR SENIOR WORKERS

M

any of the problems that adults are dealing with today have their foundation in how they grew up during their childhood. Weight problems, emotional issues, problems concerning school and education and general social issues all have some form of link to a person’s development during the first years of life. The first years have a big impact on the physical, behavioral, social and emotional development of all people.

Early Childhood Development has been identified by Government as

one of the important interventions because it is critical in improving the quality of basic education in the country. ECD, according to the DSD, is any public or private, formal or informal location wherein ECD services are offered to 6 or more children. It is up to Local Government to ensure that children and their communities have access to water & sanitation services, daycare services, play parks, recreation facilities and book and toy libraries. As important as ECD children rather than

teaching and development. Over 90% of the centres today do not follow a standard curriculum and they teach what they deem fit.

Local Government to ensure that children and their communities have access to water & sanitation services, daycare services, play parks, recreation facilities and book and toy libraries. As important as ECD children rather than

Employee Health & Wellness|08

WELLNESS

8 Ways to Promote Well

W

It’s a new year and kick starting your wellness program is a way to help your employees achieve one of their new years resolutions is to be healthier.

Wellness programs are linked to greater productivity, less absenteeism, and a reduction of long-term health care costs. Are you doing enough to ensure the health of your workforce?

Even if you don’t have the resources to implement a complete wellness program, there are several things you can do that show your employees you value their health.

09|Employee Health & Wellness

Workplace wellness is any program that aims to improve the health of your employees and their families while reducing your health-related costs as an employer. Many companies implement comprehensive wellness programs that focus on preventive health and lifestyle modification. This means encouraging employees to focus on key health behaviors such as increasing physical

llness in the Workplace In fact, in a 2008 survey of 628 employer groups conducted by Buck Consultants, 74% of U.S. companies cited reducing health care costs as their number-one motivator. But there are many other reasons. Other motivators identified in the survey included improving employee productivity, reducing health-related absences, improving employee morale, and retaining employees. Health and efficiency have a clear relationship—healthy employees take fewer sick days and are more productive at work—and businesses are starting to take notice.

1. Promote preventive care.

Bring vaccination to the workplace for flu season.

Encouraging and even funding vaccinations for employees has one of the clearest returns on investment. When your employees avoid the flu, they avoid missing out on days, if not weeks, of work. Consider offering on-site flu vaccines to employees. Or if your health insurance doesn’t cover it already, consider reimbursing employees for vaccination fees.

2. Encourage exercise.

Turn your office into an active campus. If you can make changes at your facility, consider offering covered, secure bike parking for commuters. Or provide showering facilities and locker rooms for employees who wish to workout at lunch. Can’t make structural changes? Implement and proactivity, improving eating habits, reducing stress, mote a lunch hour walking club and offer incentives for employees who participate. Encourage and ceasing tobacco use. the entire office to use the stairs. And offer disThe rationale behind wellness programs is that counts or partially subsidize memberships to a encouraging healthy habits now can prevent or local gym or exercise club. lower the risk of serious health conditions later.

Similarly, adopting these same habits can help those with an existing health condition manage it. 3. Emphasize education.

Brown bag luncheons or break-time seminars are prime opportunities for helping employees learn How To Build a Wellness Program more about healthy habits. Recruit speakers to Before what may seem like another costly employee benefit program scares you off, consider lead sessions on cooking healthy meals, staying healthy while travelling, or quick stress manthe savings. For many companies, wellness agement skills. If you have the space, consider programs actually save money in the long run.

Employee Health & Wellness|10

FACILITY MANAGER

TERRY MARS 19 FITWAY 1. Promote preventive care.

Bring vaccination to the workplace for flu season. Encouraging and even funding vaccinations for employees has one of the clearest returns on investment. When your employees avoid the flu, they avoid missing out on days, if not weeks, of work. Consider offering on-site flu vaccines to employees. Or if your health insurance doesn’t cover it already, consider reimbursing employees for vaccination fees.

2. Encourage exercise.

Turn your office into an active campus.

If you can make changes at your facility, consider offering covered, secure bike parking for commuters. Or provide showering facilities and locker rooms for em 3. Emphasize education.

Brown bag luncheons or break-time seminars are prime opportunities for helping employees learn more about healthy habits. Recruit speakers to lead sessions on cooking healthy meals,

11|Employee Health & Wellness

TECHNOLOGY 1. Promote preventive.

Bring vaccination to the workplace for flu season.

Encouraging and even funding vaccinations for employees has one of the clearest returns on investment.

Fitness Wearables

3. Promote preventive.

Bring vaccination to the workplace for flu season.

Encouraging and even funding vaccinations for employees has one of the clearest returns on investment.

4. Promote preventive.

Bring vaccination to the workplace for flu season.

Encouraging and even funding vaccinations for employees has one of the clearest returns on investment.

1. Promote preventive.

Bring vaccination to the workplace for flu season.

Encouraging and even funding vaccinations for employees has one of the clearest returns on investment.

5. Promote preventive.

Bring vaccination to the workplace for flu season.

Encouraging and even funding vaccinations for employees has one of the clearest returns on investment.

Employee Health & Wellness|12

BUSINESS

WHAT IS EMPOYEE WELLNESS

Early efforts to create healthy workplaces focused on safety at the worksite and injury prevention for workers.

More recently, programs are designed to assist employees to choose healthier behaviours like being more physically active or quitting smoking. Campaigns to raise awareness, educational sessions to increase knowledge, opportunities to learn new skills, and changes

13|Employee Health & Wellness

to policies to make it easier for employees to make healthy choices are often included. This approach is taken because the workplace is a good way to reach people, since most adult Canadians spend a large part of their day at work.

While safety and lifestyle programs are two

aspects that contribute to the health of employees, workplace wellness is more effective when a third factor is brought into the equation—the environment at work.

How the workplace affects health.

Increasingly, it is recognized that the workplace itself has a powerful affect on people’s health. When people are satisfied with their job, they are more productive and tend to be healthier.

When employees feel that the environment at work is negative, they feel stressed. Stress has a large impact on employee mental and physical

“involving employees in decision making, rewarding work well done, openly communicating, and providing support to balance work and home life.” health, and in turn, on productivity.

Consultant Graham Lowe has identified five components of workplace culture that directly affect employees’ health and the health of the organization overall—credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie. The underlying idea is that companies must genuinely care about the well-being of their employees.

Companies today who want to attract and keep good workers have leaders who understand the connection between employee satisfaction and employee health and believe that workplace wellness is a business strategy.

Their management practices include making reasonable demands on time and energy, involving employees in decision making, rewarding work well done, openly communicating, and providing support to balance work and home life.

Employers know that workers are looking for jobs that pay well, have good benefits, are interesting, and include excellent health and safety programs.

So in today’s competitive hiring market, it’s become more important than ever for companies to enhance job satisfaction and ensure that workers enjoy being on the job. Workplace well-

HOW DOES WORKPLACE WELLNESS BENEFIT THE EMPLOYER? • A workplace wellness initiative can help a company to: • Attract and keep employees; • Reduce the costs of disability, drugs, and absenteeism; • Reduce the effects of a stressful workplace; • Reduce health costs or keep them contained; and • Improve morale by creating a happy, supportive environment.

HOW DOES WORKPLACE WELLNESS BENEFIT EMPLOYEES? • Employees of companies that have a workplace wellness program are likely to have: • Increased awareness and knowledge of ways to improve their health; • A better (less stressful) workplace; • Increased protection from injury; • Improved health and well-being; • Higher morale and greater job satisfaction; • Increased productivity and effectiveness at work; • Reduced personal health care costs; and • A more relaxed/flexible approach to health issues.

Both employers and employees have a responsibility for creating a healthy workplace. Employees are expected to arrive at work in good health, and the employer is expected to provide an environment that allows employees to maintain good health, enjoy their work, and contribute to the company’s success.

Employee Health & Wellness|14

FOCUS

INSIDE

It’s a new year and kick starting your wellness program is a way to help your employees achieve one of their new years resolutions is to be healthier.

More recently, programs are designed to assist employees to choose healthier behaviours like being more physically active or quitting smoking. Campaigns to raise awareness, educational sessions to increase knowledge, opportunities to learn new skills, and changes to policies to make it easier for employees to make healthy choices are often included. This approach is taken because the workplace is a good way to reach people, since most adult Canadians spend a large part of their day at work.

While safety and lifestyle programs are two aspects that contribute to the health of employees, workplace wellness is more effective when a third factor is brought into the equation—the environment at work.

How the workplace affects health.

Increasingly, it is recognized that the workplace itself has a powerful affect on people’s health. When people are satisfied with their job, they are more productive and tend to be healthier.

When employees feel that the environment at work is negative, they feel stressed. Stress has a large impact on employee mental and physical health, and in turn, on productivity.

Consultant Graham Lowe has identified five components of workplace culture that directly affect employees’ health and the health of the organization overall— credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie.

The underlying idea is that companies must genuinely care about the well-being of their employees.

15|Employee Health & Wellness

“involving employees in decision making, rewarding work well done, openly communicating, and providing support to balance work and home life.”

Companies today who want to attract and keep good workers have leaders who understand the connection between employee satisfaction and employee health and believe that workplace wellness is a business strategy.

Their management practices include making reasonable demands on time and energy, involving employees in decision making, rewarding work well done, openly communicating, and providing support to balance work and home life.

Employers know that workers are looking for jobs that pay well, have good benefits, are interesting, and include excellent health and safety programs.

So in today’s competitive hiring market, it’s become more important than ever for companies to enhance job satisfaction and ensure that workers enjoy being on the job. Workplace well aspects that contribute to the health of employees, workplace wellness is more effective when a third factor is brought into the equation—the environment at work.

How the workplace affects health.

Increasingly, it is recognized that the workplace itself has a powerful affect on people’s health.

When people are satisfied with their job, they are more productive and tend to be healthier.

When employees feel that the environment at work is negative, they feel stressed. Stress has a large impact on employee mental and physical health, and in turn, on productivity.

Consultant Graham Lowe has identified five components of workplace culture that directly affect employees’ health and the health of the organiza-

Employee Health & Wellness|16

EQUIPMENTS VIBRATING WALKER More recently, programs are designed to assist employees to choose healthier behaviours like being more physically active or quitting smoking. Campaigns to raise awareness, educational sessions to increase knowledge, opportunities to learn new skills, and changes to policies to make it easier for employees to make healthy choices are often included. This approach is taken because the workplace is a good way to reach people, since most adult Canadians spend a large part of their day at work.

While safety and lifestyle programs are two aspects that contribute to the health of employees, workplace wellness is more effective when a third factor is brought into the equation—the environment at work.

SWINGING CYCLE More recently, programs are designed to assist employees to choose healthier behaviours like being more physically active or quitting smoking. Campaigns to raise awareness, educational sessions to increase knowledge, opportunities to learn new skills, and changes to policies to make it easier for employees to make healthy choices are often included. This approach is taken because the workplace is a good way to reach people, since most adult Canadians spend a large part of their day at work.

While safety and lifestyle programs are two aspects that contribute to the health of employees, workplace wellness is more effective when a third factor is brought into the equation—the environment at work.

How the workplace affects health.

Increasingly, it is recognized that the workplace itself has a powerful affect on people’s health. When people are satisfied with their job, they are more productive and tend to be healthier.

When employees feel that the environment at work is negative, they feel stressed. Stress has a large impact on employee mental and physical health, and in turn, on productivity.

Consultant Graham Lowe has identified five components of workplace culture that directly affect employees’ health and the health of the organization overall— credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie.

17|Employee Health & Wellness

FIT GEAR

MUST HAVE FOR THE GYM

BEST OF 2016

Employee Health & Wellness|18

HEALTH

TAKE A SEAT

by Stéphanie Chrétien

W

hether you’re working or relaxing, a poor seated posture can intensify certain discomforts. It doesn’t matter where you are – at work, at the table, on the bus – here are a few general recommendations to keep in mind.

Programs are designed to assist employees to choose healthier behaviours like being more physically active or quitting smoking. Campaigns to raise awareness, educational sessions to increase knowledge, opportunities to learn new skills, and changes to policies to make it easier for employees to make healthy choices are often included. This approach is taken because the workplace is a good way to reach people, since most adult Canadians spend a large part of their day at work.

While safety and lifestyle programs are two aspects that contribute to the health of employees, workplace wellness is more effective when a third factor is brought into the equation—the environment at work.

How the workplace affects health.

Increasingly, it is recognized that the workplace itself has a powerful affect on people’s health. When people are satisfied with their job, they are more productive and tend to be healthier.

When employees feel that the environment at work is negative, they feel stressed. Stress has a large impact on employee mental and physical health, and in turn, on productivity.

Consultant Graham Lowe has identified five components of workplace culture that directly affect employees’ health and the health of the organization overall—credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie. The underlying idea is that companies must genuinely care about the well-being of their employees.

Companies today who want to attract and keep good work-

19|Employee Health & Wellness

TIPS 1. Keep your hips, knees and ankles slightly more than 90° (see diagram).

2. Keep your ankles slightly in front of your knees.

3. Keep your knees at the same level or slightly below your hips.

4. Support your forearms if possible, and keep your elbows close to your body.

5. Support your lower back by adjusting the back rest of your chair or using a small cushion.

6. Keep your head aligned with your spine and your torso in an upright position.

7. Keep your feet flat on the floor or on a foot rest.

8. Avoid crossing your legs or alternate regularly.

9. Keep your shoulders low and relaxed.

10. Do not sit for more than 50 minutes at a time. ers have leaders who understand the connection between employee satisfaction and employee health and believe that workplace wellness is a business strategy.

Their management practices include making reasonable demands on time and energy, involving employees in decision making, rewarding work well done, openly communicating, and providing support to balance work and home life.

Employers know that workers are looking for jobs that pay well, have good benefits, are interesting, and include excellent health and safety programs. So in today’s competitive hiring market, it’s become more important than ever for companies to enhance job satisfaction and ensure that workers enjoy being on the job. Workplace well aspects that contribute to the health of employees, workplace wellness is more effective when a third factor is brought into the equation—the environment at work.

How the workplace affects health.

Employee Health & Wellness|20

PEOPLE

THE TRANSFORMATION More recently, programs are designed to assist employees to choose healthier behaviours like being more physically active or quitting smoking. Campaigns to raise awareness, educational sessions to increase knowledge, opportunities to learn new skills, and changes to policies to make it easier for employees to make healthy choices are often included. This approach is taken because the workplace is a good way to reach people, since most adult Canadians spend a large part of their day at work.

21|Employee Health & Wellness

While safety and lifestyle programs are two aspects that contribute to the health of employees, workplace wellness is more effective when a third factor is brought into the equation—the environment at work.

How the workplace affects health.

Increasingly, it is recognized that the workplace itself has a powerful affect on people’s health. When people are satisfied with their job, they are more productive and tend to be healthier.

FINANCIAL HEALTH

FINANCE FAMILY & HEALTH It’s a new year and kick starting your wellness program.

More recently, programs are designed to assist employees to choose healthier behaviours like being more physically active or quitting smoking. Campaigns to raise awareness, educational sessions to increase knowledge, opportunities to learn new skills, and changes to policies to make it easier for employees to make healthy choices are often included. This approach is taken because the workplace is a good way to reach people, since most adult Canadians spend a large part of their day at work.

While safety and lifestyle programs are two aspects that contribute to the health of employees, workplace wellness is more effective when a third factor is brought into the equation—the environment at work.

How the workplace affects health.

Increasingly, it is recognized that the workplace itself has a powerful affect on people’s health.

When people are satisfied with their job, they are more productive and tend to be healthier.

When employees feel that the environment at work is negative, they feel stressed. Stress has

a large impact on employee mental and physical health, and in turn, on productivity.

Consultant Graham Lowe has identified five components of workplace culture that directly affect employees’ health and the health of the organization overall—credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie. The underlying idea is that companies must genuinely care about the well-being of their employees.

Campaigns to raise awareness, educational sessions to increase knowledge, opportunities to learn new skills, and changes to policies to make it easier for employees to make healthy choices are often included. This approach is taken because the workplace is a good way to reach people, since most adult Canadians spend a large part of their day at work.

While safety and lifestyle programs are two aspects that contribute to the health of employees, workplace wellness is more effective when a third factor is brought into the equation—the environment at work.

Employee Health & Wellness|22

LEGAL LINE

More recently, programs are designed to assist employees to choose healthier behaviours like being more physically active or quitting smoking. Campaigns to raise awareness, educational sessions to increase knowledge, opportunities to learn new skills, and changes to policies to make it easier for employees to make healthy choices are often included. This approach is taken because the workplace is a good way to reach people, since most adult Canadians spend a large part of their day at work.

While safety and lifestyle programs are two aspects that contribute to the health of employees, workplace wellness is more effective when a third factor is brought into the equation—the environment at work.

How the workplace affects health.

Increasingly, it is recognized that the workplace itself has a powerful affect on people’s health.

When people are satisfied with their job, they are more productive and tend to be healthier.

When employees feel that the environment at work is negative, they feel stressed. Stress has a large impact on employee mental and physical health, and in turn, on productivity.

Consultant Graham Lowe has identified five

23|Employee Health & Wellness

components of workplace culture that directly affect employees’ health and the health of the organization overall—credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie. The underlying idea is that companies must genuinely care about the well-being of their employees.

Campaigns to raise awareness, educational sessions to increase knowledge, opportunities to learn new skills, and changes to policies to make it easier for employees to make healthy choices are often included. This approach is taken because the workplace is a good way to reach people, since most adult Canadians spend a large part of their day at work.

While safety and lifestyle programs are two aspects that contribute to the health of employees, workplace wellness is more effective when a third factor is brought into the equation—the environment at work.

How the workplace affects health.

Increasingly, it is recognized that the workplace itself has a powerful affect on people’s health.

When people are satisfied with their job, they are more productive and tend to be healthier.

When employees feel that the environment at work is negative, they feel stressed. Stress has

INDUSTRY TRENDS

Employee Health & Wellness|24

HOLIDAY

FITNESS RETREATS More recently, programs are designed to assist employees to choose healthier behaviours like being more physically active or quitting smoking. Campaigns to raise awareness, educational sessions to increase knowledge, opportunities to learn new skills, and changes to policies to make it easier for employees to make healthy choices are often included. This approach is taken because the workplace is a good way to reach people, since most adult Canadians spend a large part of their day at work.

While safety and lifestyle programs are two aspects that contribute to the health of employees, workplace wellness is more effective when a third factor is brought into the equation—the environment at work.

How the workplace affects health.

Increasingly, it is recognized that the workplace itself has a powerful affect on people’s health. When people are satisfied with their job, they are more productive and tend to be healthier.

When employees feel that the environment at work is negative, they feel stressed. Stress has a large impact on employee mental and physical health, and in turn, on productivity.

Consultant Graham Lowe has identified five

25|Employee Health & Wellness

components of workplace culture that directly affect employees’ health and the health of the organization overall—credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie. The underlying idea is that companies must genuinely care about the well-being of their employees.

Campaigns to raise awareness, educational sessions to increase knowledge, opportunities to learn new skills, and changes to policies to make it easier for employees to make healthy choices are often included. This approach is taken because the workplace is a good way to reach people, since most adult Canadians spend a large part of their day at work.

While safety and lifestyle programs are two aspects that contribute to the health of employees, workplace wellness is more effective when a third factor is brought into the equation—the environment at work.

How the workplace affects health.

Increasingly, it is recognized that the workplace itself has a powerful affect on people’s health. When people are satisfied with their job, they are more productive and tend to be healthier.

When employees feel that the environment at work is negative, they feel stressed. Stress has a large impact on employee mental and

More recently, programs are designed to assist employees to choose healthier behaviours like being more physically active or quitting smoking. Campaigns to raise awareness, educational sessions to increase knowledge, opportunities to learn new skills, and changes to policies to make it easier for employees to make healthy choices are often included. This approach is taken because the workplace is a good way to reach people, since most adult Canadians spend a large part of their day at work.

While safety and lifestyle programs are two aspects that contribute to the health of em-

ployees, workplace wellness is more effective when a third factor is brought into the equation—the environment at work.

How the workplace affects health.

Increasingly, it is recognized that the workplace itself has a powerful affect on people’s health. When people are satisfied with their job, they are more productive and tend to be healthier.

When employees feel that the environment at work is negative, they feel stressed. Stress has a large impact on employee mental and physical health, and in turn, on productivity.

Employee Health & Wellness|26

DOCTOR

THE RIGHT SHOE FIT More recently, programs are designed to assist employees to choose healthier behaviours like being more physically active or quitting smoking. Campaigns to raise awareness, educational sessions to increase knowledge, opportunities to learn new skills, and changes to policies to make it easier for employees to make healthy choices are often included.

This approach is taken because the workplace is a good way to reach people, since most adult Canadians spend a large part of their day at work.

While safety and lifestyle programs are two

27|Employee Health & Wellness

aspects that contribute to the health of employees, workplace wellness is more effective when a third factor is brought into the equation—the environment at work.

How the workplace affects health.

Increasingly, it is recognized that the workplace itself has a powerful affect on people’s health. When people are satisfied with their job, they are more productive and tend to be healthier.

When employees feel that the environment at work is negative, they feel stressed. Stress

NUTRITION

WHAT’S WRONG

WITH THIS PLATE

MANY OF THE PROBLEMS THAT ADULTS

Many of the problems that adults are dealing with today have their foundation in how they grew up during their childhood. Weight problems, emotional issues, problems concerning school and education and general social issues all have some form of link to a person’s development during the first years of life.

The first years have a big impact on the physical, behavioral, social and emotional development of all people.

Early Childhood Development has been identified by Government as one of the important interventions because it is critical in improving the quality of basic education in the country. ECD, according to the DSD, is any public or private, formal or informal location wherein ECD services are offered to 6 or more children. It is up to Local Government to ensure that children and their communities have access to water & sanitation services, daycare services, play parks, recreation facilities and book and toy libraries. As important as ECD children rather than teaching and development. Over 90% of the centres today do not follow a standard curriculum and they teach what

Early Childhood Development has been identified by Government as one of the important interventions because it is critical in improving the quality of basic education in the country. ECD, according to the DSD, is any public or private, formal or informal location wherein ECD services are offered to 6 or more children. It is up to

Employee Health & Wellness|28

OPINION

Why Wellness Programme A Must!

Participatory wellness programs, do not require a person to meet any goal related to health status to receive a reward or incentive. Examples of these incentives include fitness center reimbursements, group challenges, weight-loss programs, on-site fitness centers and classes, or nutrition programs.

A

ccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 75% of our health care spending is on premature and often preventable diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. The growing numbers of preventable diseases, poor health habits and the rising cost of health-care have sparked an interest in employee wellness programs in the workplace for many organizations.

Americans working full-time spend an average of one-third of their day, five days per week at

27|Employee Health & Wellness

the work. Since Americans spend a significant amount of their day at work, the workplace is an important setting for health promotion and disease prevention.

Studies have shown, wellness programs that implement health-focused policies such as healthy eating, quitting tobacco use and reducing stress can significantly benefit employers and employees in many ways. Most employers who provide health insurance also provide some type of wellness benefit.