In addition to reducing costs, wellness programs can encourage a more productive and engaged employee population and help to attract and retain valued workers.
Morneau Shepell Ltd., under its Shepell•fgi brand, has launched an online program to help couples gain greater satisfaction in their intimate relationships.
Research carried out in conjunction with Aon Hewitt’s Best Employers in Canada study shows a link between highly engaged employees and improved health and overall well-being.
Lifestyle health coaching programs have been used extensively in the U.S. and other countries for more than 15 years to provide health improvement services to employees in the workplace.
Campbell Company of Canada truly walks the wellness talk, says Veronica Marsden, president of Tri Fit Inc.
With an aging employee base and benefits costs rising, Marine Atlantic Inc. decided to really get serious about workplace wellness back in 2004.
A few years ago, Jennifer Moore, manager of HR and organizational development at Dufferin Child and Family Services (DCFS), noticed a spike in casual and short-term sick leaves among the agency’s 80 employees.
Wellness programs have become more common in the workplace, and the benefits of having these programs make sense. However, they are not being offered everywhere—and even where they are, Canadians are still missing work.
When an employee passed away last year from leukemia, Marty Shaw, CEO of DOT Integrated Financial in Toronto, was glad that he had set up a wellness program for his 60-odd employees.
It seems reasonable to assume that people working in healthcare would be more health-conscious than others. But hectic schedules, long hours and working in a stressful environment can make it difficult for staff to focus on their personal health.