October 22 to the 28th marks the first Healthy Workplace Week in Canada. The goal is to encourage working people to promote good health at their workplace by practicing at least one positive lifestyle habit each day. East Prince Health management recognize the important role the organization plays as an employer which supports staff, physicians and volunteers to care for their own well-being.
A comprehensive workplace wellness strategy at East Prince Health is now positioned as an essential and integral component of the organization. C.E.O. Dave Riley says, "Workplace wellness is a key component of the provincial health system strategic plan. We are pleased to have developed an organizational effort which fits perfectly with the health system strategic plan. Our staff, physicians and volunteers are competent and caring people, and we view the whole area of wellness as a wise investment in overall health."
The workplace wellness strategy was recently launched at a meeting of workplace leaders and managers and is now being shared with everyone in the organization.
Maureen Paquet, Wellness Co-ordinator says, "We spend the majority of our waking hours at our paid work, so the workplace is an ideal setting to encourage healthy living. Healthy employees are the foundation of a healthy organization which is best equipped to serve the public."
The workplace wellness strategy contains five key priority areas that staff at East Prince Health have identified as a result of a Health Canada survey conducted last winter - areas include healthy eating, physical activity, stress management, safe workplaces and ongoing health promotion. In addition to already established wellness initiatives in the region, staff are now developing further activities based on the regional wellness strategy.
"We are optimistic that these initiatives will result in healthier employees in the region," added Mr. Riley. "This should lead to significant benefits for our organization and the community."