H EALTH AND WORK Debra Morrison, Laura Hanson, and Nadine Cruickshank

A GENDA 1. Fish Philosophy (video) and discussion (10 min) 2. Introduction to health and work (5 min) 3. Exercise 1: ( ) (30 min) 4. Exercise 2 : Generations and Critical Social Theory (30 min) 5. Wrap up (5 min)

O BJECTIVES Provide an overall understanding of workplace health: Identify factors influencing the health of workers Identify issues that businesses are faced with that affect workers health Identify the effects of an unhealthy workplace

INGREDIENTS OF A H EALTHY W ORKPLACE Participation by employees Culture of openness and honesty Work-life balance Safe and healthy environments Valued employees Job control for employees Opportunities to develop and utilize skills

C OMPREHENSIVE W ORKPLACE H EALTH P ROMOTION

W HAT C AUSES U NHEALTHY W ORKPLACES Stress and mental health related problems 51% of Canadian workers say they have experienced a large amount of stress at work. Increased working hours Intense job demands Lack of communication with managers/supervisors Lack of control over the pace of work Lack of work-life balance....and the list goes on....

A FFECTS OF S TRESS

C OSTS O F U NHEALTHY W ORKERS 8.6 billion dollars annually in Canada for employee absences Absences due to personal reasons: family and personal responsibilities, disabilities, and illness Employees who smoke contribute to an increase cost for companies (between $2,308 and $2,613) than non smokers. Workers between the ages of (55-64) average twice as many sick days than their younger colleagues. Absenteeism and benefit costs will likely increase if older workers do not improve their health.

B ENEFITS OF A HEALTH W ORKPLACE ↓ in absenteeism and injury Reduce workers compensation and insurance claims ↑ in production ↑ staff morale and attitudes towards the workplace ↑ in job performance Decrease costs related to recruitment, orientation, and training ↓ in staff turn overs

C HALLENGES B USINESSES ARE F ACED WITH T ODAY Control over absentissm Attracting and retaining employees Competing priorities at work and at home “Economic recession”

W HAT W ORKERS W ANT Employers who treat them with respect Recognition for accomplishments Coworkers and employers who are helpful and friendly Good communication amongst coworkers Work and family balance Proper training for the job Job security CPRN - EKOS Changing Employment Relationships Survey (2000).

E XERCISE 1: ( )

E XERCISE 2: G ENERATIONS