Halifax-based IWK Health Centre has introduced a range of new actions around its 3,200 employees’ mental, physical and financial well-being after winning in the health and wellness program category at Benefits Canada’s 2015 Workplace Benefits Awards.
“This win became an incentive to explore other opportunities and target some initiatives to different groups in the health centre,” says Barbara Whynot, manager of occupational health, safety and wellness at IWK Health Centre. “Although we are always doing things for the health, wellness and safety of our staff, this win reminds us to continue to look at ways to improve what we do and how we do it.”
Read: Nominations open for the 2016 Workplace Benefits Awards
IWK Health Centre hosted its first financial wellness workshop on May 26 that focused on employees who are preparing to retire in the next two to three years. “It helps them explore what they will do when they retire, including thinking about volunteerism, travel, hobbies and, for some, other part-time work,” says Whynot.
In March, IWK Health Centre partnered with a local yoga studio to provide discounts to employees. The new benefit is in addition to other employer-provided discounts for services such such as gyms, hotels, parking and childcare.
It also facilitated free hour-long wellness sessions presented by the health centre’s own physicians. “The latest one was on bladder health and was attended by staff from the IWK, staff at the adult tertiary hospital and some community partners,” says Whynot.
Read: ArcelorMittal Dofasco reinforces focus on employee mental health
The organization’s most recent employee engagement survey showed IWK Health Centre scored quite well in the areas of safety, maintaining a respectful workplace and work-life balance. “To this end, the health centre has launched a new strategic plan,” says Whynot. “One important and specific focus is on employees, including employee engagement, work-life balance and career development.”
IWK Health Centre was the winner of the Health and Wellness Program Award for a company with more than 1,000 employees at Benefits Canada’s 2015 Workplace Benefits Awards.
“The win was not only a great source of pride for the entering team but the entire organization,” says Whynot. “It was nice to be recognized at the national level for things that we do in our daily work to improve the working life for those who work here, which ultimately has a positive impact on patient care.”
Has your organization developed an innovative and effective strategy for communicating a benefits initiative? The 2016 Workplace Benefits Awards are now open for nominations. The deadline to submit nominations has been extended.
For more, watch Benefits Canada‘s video interview with Barbara Whynot: