An Organizational Health Strategy for
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Presented by:
The Human Resources Department in partnership with The Research and Health Consulting Group
Shepell•fgi 130 Bloor St. W.
Toronto, ON www.shepellfgi.com
Table of Contents
Introduction
Vision, Mission, Values Goals and Objectives Program Plan 2009-2011
Introduction: The Healthy BCIT Initiative
The HEALTHY BCIT initiative aims to promote the health and well being of all employees within the Institute, and to create and sustain the healthiest workplace possible.
BCIT believes that an investment in the health and well being of our employees is integral to the success and prosperity of the Institute.
This initiative was based on the following main premises:
It is congruent with the long term direction of the Institute.
It intersects with the other Institute strategies and initiatives including BCIT’s 5ive Forward 1.0, wellbeing, safety, growth, job satisfaction and celebration.
It is a long term strategy for the Institute that is based on a broad definition of health, includes a focus on individual and organization health determinants, has clearly outlined goals and
objectives and success indicators.
It is visibly and widely supported by BCIT leadership and employee representatives.
It will consist of evidenced based programs and services which are routinely evaluated and continuously improved.
To systematically develop the workplace health strategy, BCIT partnered with Shepellfgi, our current EAP provider, to take our existing Wellness Program offerings to a new and improved level. Over several months beginning in the fall of 2008, cross sections of employees were invited to participate in the development of a 3-year Strategic Health and Wellness Plan for our organization.
This process consisted of three main stages, namely:
Step 1: Employee Health Needs Assessment
Analyzed our health claims data to better understand our existing health and wellness needs Step 2: Health and Wellness ‘Best Practices’ Audit
Conducted a thorough analysis of our existing organizational health programs and services, highlighting current program strengths
Clearly identified opportunities for alignment and/or improvement
Outlined all of the components necessary to create and sustain the highest quality, ‘best practice’ health and wellness program
Step 3: Health and Wellness Strategic Planning Retreat
Formally crafted our program vision, goals and objectives
Identified priority areas for action
Determined our indicators of success
Created the implementation and evaluation plans
This document, prepared by the Human Resources Department, in consultation with the Research and Health Consulting Division at Shepellfgi, outlines the following components of the HEALTHY BCIT Strategy:
Vision, Mission and Values
Goals and Objectives
Framework
Program Plan 2009-2011
Vision, Mission and Values
Vision
BCIT is a community working together to build and maintain organizational wellness within our workplace community by providing opportunities and support for all employees.
Mission
Our mission is to have BCIT and its employees work together to identify and address leading health and well being issues at all levels, and to offer innovative policies, practices and programs to best meet those needs. We will do this by:
regularly assessing employee and organizational health and well being
offering a variety of comprehensive, high quality programs and services, and
regularly evaluating our efforts, to continuously improve our programs and services
Values
Health is more than the absence of disease. It is a positive concept encompassing optimal physical, emotional, intellectual, social, occupational and spiritual factors.
Employees fully participate in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the program.
Programs and services are evidenced based.
Workplace issues are considered as important determinants of employee health and well being.
Our employees value their own wellbeing and take responsibility for maintaining optimal health.
Goals and Objectives
Goal #1: To optimize the physical and mental health and well being of BCIT employees.
Objectives
To increase overall awareness of physical and mental health risk factors and the preventability of chronic conditions.
To identify, educate and refer for appropriate supports those individuals living with physical and mental health problems, and those at high risk for developing health problems.
To reduce the incidence of modifiable physical and mental health risk factors.
Goal #2: To create and sustain a healthy, supportive and productive work environment.
Objectives
To systematically work to create and sustain a healthy physical work environment characterized by :
o Well trained and oriented employees to the key elements of a safe and healthy work environment
o Ergonomically correct workspaces
o Effective and representative employee participation in OHS activities and committees
o Progressive occupational health and safety programs
To create and sustain a healthy workplace culture characterized by:
o Well trained and supported ‘people leaders’
o Respectful and trusting working relationships, and o Supportive leadership/supervision
Framework
In building a model that can help guide our actions to improve health, three questions are critical.
"WHAT ARE OUR PRIORITIES?" (the ISSUES)
"On WHAT should we take action?" (the DETERMINANTS of the health issues)
"HOW should we take action?" (the STRATEGIES to address the issues)
The priority areas for action were selected based on the findings of the comprehensive needs assessment. The needs assessment consisted of an integrated data analysis of three years of health claims data, including drug claims, short term disability and long term disability. These findings indicate that the following health issues or conditions are currently the most pressing at BCIT.
Mental Health
Cardiovascular Disease (Heart Health)
Injury Prevention
Diabetes Prevention and Management
Cancer Prevention
PRIORITIES:
The Framework considers the main components of employee health and well being as well, including:
Health Knowledge and Beliefs – the degree to which employees are knowledgeable about and interested in improving their own health and well being
Personal Health Practices – the behaviours that employees engage in that are health promoting, such as healthy eating, physical activity, stress management, healthy weights, etc.
Personal Coping Strategies – coping skills that enable people to be self-reliant and make choices that enhance their wellbeing
Physical Work Environment – the characteristics of the physical work environment that are health promoting, such as ergonomic work stations, availability of fitness facilities, healthy food options, etc.
Healthy Workplace Culture – characterized by a high level of communication, high quality leadership and supervision, and effective employee participation in decision making
STRATEGY AND ACTION:
Health Information and Education – to increase health awareness and knowledge
Skill Development and Behaviour Change – to promote and support sustained healthy behaviours
Health Assessment, Screening and Referral – to prevent or delay the onset of chronic illness
Supportive Work Environment – to eliminate, reduce or mitigate the impact of physical and psychosocial risk factors in the workplace
Fun Workplace – to increase the liveliness and participation in campus social events
The HEALTHY BCIT Framework and core strategic directions, which are the combination of all of these factors, are represented in Figure A. The Framework provides a conceptual matrix within which to plan and implement workplace health programs and services.
Figure A: HEALTHY BCIT Framework Priority Areas for Action
Mental Health Heart Health Injury Prevention Cancer Prevention Diabetes Prevention and Management
Determinants of Health
Health Knowledge/Beliefs Personal Coping Strategies Personal Health Practices Physical Work Environment Healthy Workplace Culture Positive Social Environment
Health Promotion Strategies
Information/Education
Skill Development and Behaviour Change
Health Assessment, Screening and Referral
Supportive Work Environment Fun Workplace
Healthy BCIT Plan 2009-2011
In order to address the leading health issues and underlying risk factors, The Healthy BCIT initiative will offer a comprehensive ‘menu’ of programs and services on a quarterly basis, organized around a common theme.
Spring/Summer 2009
Theme: Introducing Healthy BCIT Proposed Activities
Appoint and meet with stakeholders
Review and finalize the Workplace Health Strategy with the stakeholders
Present to leadership team
Launch letter from President
Recruitment of Healthy BCIT Advisory Committee, first meeting
Posting of Vision, Mission, and Goals on NOTES
Information Sessions on Program Strategy and Plan for employees
Campus involvement through email, suggestion boxes etc. to expand health and wellbeing offerings
Fall 2009
Theme: Know Your Numbers Proposed Activities
Know Your Numbers Promotional Campaign
During Healthy Workplace Month launch the ‘Know your Numbers’ sessions through this bi- annual event
Flyers/posters at all worksites
Posting on NOTES
Newsletter – overview of screening guidelines, recommended ranges for BMI, cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar plus promotion of screening clinics
Know your Numbers Information Sessions or e-learning modules
Overview of screening guidelines, healthy ranges for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, body mass index, etc.
Know Your Numbers Clinics
Onsite Health Screening and Education Clinics Know your Numbers Contest
Employees submit tracking cards indicating that they are ‘up to date’ on their recommended screenings and enter to win a prize
Healthy Workplace Month Activities (National 2009 theme is Healthy Mind, Healthy Body, Healthy Work. Feeling Great About Life!
Variety of sessions and events scheduled during the month of October
Winter 2010 January to March
Theme: Mental Health First Aid Proposed Activities
Mental Health First Aid Campaign
Flyers/posters
Posting on NOTES
Newsletter – awareness, risk factors, signs and symptoms, self assessment, direction to workplace and community resources, promotion of upcoming events
Mental Health First Aid Wellness Sessions
1 hr lunch and learns or e-learning sessions offered to all employees re: risk factors, awareness/signs and symptoms, resources
Stress Management Course
Group training session, or self directed modules
Health Challenge – Mental Health First Aid - # of registrants Mental Health First Aid for People Leaders
Workshops or e-learning sessions for people leaders Mentally Preparing for Retirement
Workshops on planning and preparing for life after BCIT.
Spring /Spring 2010 April to September Theme: Your Heart Health Matters Proposed Activities
Your Heart Health Matters Campaign
Flyers/posters
Posting on NOTES
Newsletter – risk factors, signs and symptoms, risk assessment, direction to workplace and community resources, promotion of upcoming events
Healthy eating tips, recipes, etc.
Spring/Summer 2010 April to September
Theme: Your Safety Matters (injury prevention) Proposed Activities
Your Safety Matters Campaign
Flyers/posters
Posting on NOTES
Newsletter – risk factors, leading injuries in the summer, ergonomics, healthy backs, self assessment, direction to workplace and community resources, promotion of upcoming events
NAOSH Week
Your Safety Matters Wellness Sessions
1 hr lunch and learns or e-learning sessions offered to all employees re: risk factors, awareness, leading household injuries , ergonomics, audiometric, resources
Healthy Back Sessions
Physiotherapy, massage therapy, yoga, ergonomics, fitness, core strength building, etc.
Fall 2010 October to December
Theme: Are you at Risk?: Diabetes Prevention and Management Proposed Activities
Are you at Risk?: Diabetes Prevention and Management Campaign
Flyers/posters
Posting on NOTES
Newsletter – risk factors, signs and symptoms, risk assessment, direction to workplace and community resources, promotion of upcoming events
Healthy eating tips
Are you at Risk: Diabetes Prevention and Management Wellness Sessions
1 hr lunch and learns or e-learning sessions offered to all employees re: risk factors, signs and symptoms, self assessment, resources
Diabetes Prevention Course (group or self directed)
For people living with Diabetes, or at high risk for Diabetes (prediabetes)
Focus on healthy eating, physical activity promotion, stress management, medication management, etc.
Health Challenge – Are you at Risk?
Diabetes testing
Winter 2011 January to March
Theme: Losing Weight the Healthy Way Proposed Activities
Losing Weight the Healthy Way Campaign
Flyers/posters
Posting on NOTES
Newsletter – healthy eating guidelines, self assessment, direction to workplace and community resources, promotion of upcoming events
Losing Weight the Healthy Way Information Sessions
1 hr lunch and learns or e-learning sessions offered to all employees re: healthy eating guidelines, tips, nutrition, resources
Losing Weight the Healthy Way Course
Group coaching/support program or self directed Health Challenge – Losing Weight the Healthy Way
Challenge departments to lose weight the healthy way, with incentives, competitions and celebrations of weight loss. The biggest loser by percentage.
Spring/Summer 2011 April to September
Theme: Cancer Screening and Prevention Proposed Activities
Cancer Screening and Prevention Campaign
Flyers/posters
Posting on NOTES
Newsletter – screening guidelines, risk factors, signs and symptoms, self assessment, direction to workplace and community resources, promotion of upcoming events
Cancer Screening and Prevention Information Sessions
1 hr lunch and learns or e-learning sessions offered to all employees re: screening guidelines, risk factors, signs and symptoms, resources
Session targeted to male population on prostate cancer – Top Speaker or Neurologist
Promotion and participation on- campus offered screening clinics, e.g. mammography.
Spring/Summer 2011 April to September Theme: Active for Life Proposed Activities
Active for Life Campaign
Flyers/posters
Posting on NOTES
Newsletter – physical activity guidelines, self assessment, direction to workplace and community resources, promotion of upcoming community events
Active for Life Information Sessions
1 hr lunch and learns or e-learning sessions offered to all employees re: physical activity guidelines, tips, resources
Active for Life Program
Group/individual program through recreation services designed to motivate nonactive adults to begin and sustain a physical activity program designed for them
Health Challenge – Active for Life
Challenge non active employees to begin and maintain a fitness program through recreation services.
Fall 2011 October to December
Theme: Reduce Your Risk (lifestyle risk factors) Proposed Activities
Know Your Risks Campaign
Flyers/posters
Posting on NOTES
Newsletter – risk factors for leading chronic health illnesses, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, focusing on modifiable risk factors and solutions
Reduce your Risk Wellness/elearning Sessions
1 hr lunch and learns offered to all employees re: risk factors, healthy eating guidelines, physical activity guidelines, healthy weights guidelines, resources
Health Coaching Behaviour Change Program
Individual or group health coaching sessions offered health assessment, goal setting, coaching sessions, etc.
Healthy Workplace Month Activities (follow the national theme – posted in the Spring each year)
Focusing on modifiable risk factors – healthy eating, physical activity, healthy weights, stress management
Health Challenge – Reduce Your Risk
Challenge employees to make one significant lifestyle change in one of the key risk areas