Workplace Health Promotion Case Studies

Transcription

1 Workplace Health Promotion Case Studies

2 P a g e 2 Table of Contents Employee Count: I Employees i. Jansen pp 3-6 ii. Hewlett Packard pp 7-9 iii. Kingston Technology/ Digital International Ltd. pp 10-12

3 P a g e 3 Workplace Health Promotion Initiatives Case Study Questions Organisation: Company size: Jansen 560 Employees What influenced your organisation to undertake health promotion in the workplace? Johnson and Johnson are the mother company of Jansen and have strong corporate programmes with regards to employee wellbeing. There is a key internal document that guides workplace wellbeing within the organisation, within this document there are contracts with employees with regards to workplace health. A healthy workplace and healthy employees are key to Johnson and Johnson and as such this cascades down to Jansen. How does workplace health promotion fit into the overall strategic objectives of the organisation? This is non negotiable; the company recognises that healthy, energized employees equate to an engaged workforce. What options were considered? All initiatives are internally designed and driven but with collaboration with third parties where appropriate. Were there options that were considered but rejected? If yes, why? Again this is internally designed and driven. What did you do as your health promotion initiative? There are a number of items that we are undertaking and undertake for health promotion within the workplace. Occupation health nurses on site work in conjunction with the employee wellbeing council to run the initiatives.

4 P a g e 4 All employees receive full health insurance coverage. Surveillance medicals monitor the impact of the environment on employee health and wellbeing Proactive medicals provide health profiles and staff are encouraged to take basic test such as blood cholesterol, sugar, pressure levels and body mass index (BMI). This information can then be inputted by the employee into an electronic tool which can advise them based on their results, how best to maintain/improve their results through diet, exercise and lifestyle changes. A one day every for performance and life programme is available to employees where they can engage with professionals who deliver corporate programmes on nutrition, exercise and mental health wellbeing. This is being made available to 600 employees over two years. This initiative is modelled on a corporate athlete type programme where in order to be fit and health, you need to train for it. Lie is like a marathon, not a sprint, therefore training is required. The benefit is more engaged and energised workplace and employees. Themed weeks are also held such as happy heart week, cancer awareness weeks and the appropriate third parties are invited into the organisation to provide support and advice. What did you find most attractive about this option? Employees can engage on a voluntary basis but provides them with an opportunity to access health information and tests to improve their own health as well as that of the organisation What did the initiative involve? As discussed in the questions above. How did you implement the initiative? The initiatives were implemented by our occupational health nurses in conjunction with our workplace wellbeing employee team. Did you encounter any challenges implementing the initiative and how did you surmount them? Initially the level of employee engagement was low. However, over the years the level of engagement has increased. This may be due to the workforce ageing and/or due to increased levels of awareness with regards to the importance of health. How long was it for? Initiatives are on going with some classified as short term but others are more long term.

5 P a g e 5 Who did you involve internally and externally (if appropriate)? We have an occupational health team that work with an employee led workplace wellbeing council. In addition the appropriate third parties are brought in for specific initiatives, depending on the initiative topic. What was measured to determine success? The company has seen a huge benefit overall with regards to employee engagement. It is hard to draw a link between levels of absenteeism and the success of the initiatives. This is due to the fact that longer term absence is usually down to ageing, stroke or cancer for example and is currently < 2%. Short term absence i.e. < 24 hours is less that 1% on both sites. With having a healthy workforce, this hopefully means less chronic illnesses. Success Factors across Sites: The key is to involve staff and to listen to what they want. Challenges/Barriers Faced across Sites: As previously mentioned, the level of employee engagement was a concern originally. However, a number of years on and employees come to expect the organisation to undertake health promotion initiatives to improve their working environment, choices available etc. Summary reflections: Overall do you feel that your workplace health initiative was of benefit to your organisation? If yes, why? If no, why? Yes. Reduced sick leave costs have a direct positive impact for the organisation. So whilst, health promotion initiatives do have a cost involved, the benefits to the organisation outweigh same. In what ways did it benefit the staff? The initiative provided staff with opportunities and skills to improve their diet and lifestyle within work with hopes that it filters through to their daily lives outside of work and family as well. In what way did it benefit the organisation as a whole? As mentioned previously, key items are a happy and engaged workforce and quite possibly reduced levels of absenteeism although hard to equate directly to the initiatives.

6 P a g e 6 What are your future plans with regards to a health promotion initiative? To build on what we are currently doing through the input of staff and occupational health staff. Are you considering an alternative initiative to what you have already done? If yes, which one and why? No as it is all internally designed and implemented. However, where appropriate, third parties are engaged for specific themed initiatives. What would encourage you to switch from your current initiative to another? Again, internally designed and driven.

7 P a g e 7 Workplace Health Promotion Initiatives Case Study Questions Organisation: Company size: Hewlett Packard 2000 employees What influenced your organisation to undertake health promotion in the workplace? The decision was made globally as part of an overall wellness awareness and employee engagement initiative. How does workplace health promotion fit into the overall strategic objectives of the organisation? It fits in with our overall wellness objective and also our employee engagement model. What options were considered? Cancer screening, Stress management, Physical wellness, and Financial Wellness. Were there options that were considered but rejected? If yes, why? N/A What did you do as your health promotion initiative? We have done get fit walks and physical challenges, Sports days, Seminars on various topics, Health assessments and cancer screening. What did you find most attractive about this option? We wanted to give employees variety and try to have a topic that appealed to each employee in some way, so everyone could get something out of the program. What did the initiative involve? We had a number of information seminars, and talks, onsite clinics and interactive days as well as cancer screening onsite.

8 P a g e 8 How did you implement the initiative? We have held many information sessions on each site as well as interactive events also. We have an extensive communication program to ensure employees are aware of what is happening and when. Did you encounter any challenges implementing the initiative and how did you surmount them? Nothing too major was encountered; we worked with our internal and external partners to make each program a success. How long was it for? We review our plan each year & try to implement it annually. Who did you involve internally and externally (if appropriate)? We have worked with partners internally and externally for example our healthcare provider, Aviva and the Mater Private. What did it cost? We do not wish to disclose. What was measured to determine success? We measured employee attendance and employee feedback. Success Factors across Sites: Thousands of employees educated on a number of different topics and also screenings done for BMI, Blood Pressure, Flu Jabs, Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer for example. Challenges/Barriers Faced across Sites: We didn t face any real challenges the main one I guess is just ensuring employees are well briefed and attend each session. Summary reflections: All our programmes have been great success. Overall do you feel that your workplace health initiative was of benefit to your organisation? If yes, why? If no, why? Yes as we have created awareness for employees and also got them thinking about their wellbeing as well as educating them on several topics.

9 P a g e 9 In what ways did it benefit the staff? Information, advice, and points of reference. In what way did it benefit the organisation as a whole? Better employee knowledge, well being and engagement. What are your future plans with regards to a health promotion initiative? We plan to continue the programme on financial wellness, physical wellness and live well by holding seminars and information sessions, screenings etc. Are you considering an alternative initiative to what you have already done? If yes, which one and why? Just looking to expand on what we have done before perhaps cover other areas of cancer screening, we have completed Breast and Prostate but are looking at Skin and lung for example. What would encourage you to switch from your current initiative to another? Requests or want from the employee.

10 P a g e 10 Workplace Health Promotion Initiatives Case Study Questions Organisation: Company size: Kingston Technology/Digital International Limited 3500 employees What influenced your organisation to undertake health promotion in the workplace? It can be listed as another company benefit to hopefully retain employees but mainly to support and assist employees in managing their general health. How does workplace health promotion fit into the overall strategic objectives of the organisation? It is written into our interview/induction/health and Safety procedures and is listed as a key attribute to managing absence rates and also an employee s individual performance review at the end of every year. What options were considered? Various options to include:- 1.) Ergonomic work environment. 2.) Health eating in the canteen. 3.) Private Medical insurance. 4.) External exercise ie:- Gym membership. 5.) Internal exercise ie:- Company gym. 6.) Company doctor. 7.) Regular medical programmes offered ie:- annual flu jabs/eye tests etc 8.) PEAP programme. Were there options that were considered but rejected? If yes, why? Only really an internal gym because of the cost for 18 people when there is perfectly suitable gym across the road which the company pays the employee membership for.

11 P a g e 11 What did you do as your health promotion initiative? We introduced free fruit everyday for the employees in the canteen and minimised some of the vending machine offerings. What did you find most attractive about this option? Giving the opportunity to employees, who did not usually consider fruit as an eating option, to try and see how they get on was incredibly humbling. What did the initiative involve? Quite simply buying and having fruit delivered each and every day. How did you implement the initiative? We charged canteen lady to be responsible for ordering, buying and managing fruit supplies and then putting them out on the tables for the employees. Did you encounter any challenges implementing the initiative and how did you surmount them? Not really went down pretty well. How long was it for? Permanent Initiative. Who did you involve internally and externally (if appropriate)? Employee and fruit suppliers were involved. What did it cost? It cost us approximately 120 euros per week. What was measured to determine success? We measured the amount of fruit left at the end of the week. Success Factors across Sites: N/A Challenges/Barriers Faced across Sites: N/A

12 P a g e 12 Summary reflections: Glad we did it. Overall do you feel that your workplace health initiative was of benefit to your organisation? If yes, why? If no, why? Yes, we believe so as it gives employees the impetus and encouragement also to then join the gym and encourage each other to get fit and live healthier lives. In what ways did it benefit the staff? We noticed that there was an increase among employees in healthy eating habits. In what way did it benefit the organisation as a whole? There were low absence rates among our employees and a happy workforce. What are your future plans with regards to a health promotion initiative? Keep doing what we are already doing plus try other health promoting initiatives as well. Are you considering an alternative initiative to what you have already done? If yes, which one and why? Not just yet. What would encourage you to switch from your current initiative to another? If an employee suggested something to try, I would be encouraged to switch to a new initiative.