Health Promotion Strategies

In today’s corporation environment, the health of employees is often related to the health of the corporation. Increased job satisfaction, improved morale, decreased disease and injuries, and increased productivity are just some of the advantages of having healthy employees.

Promoting health in your workplace doesn’t have to be complicated, costly or time-consuming. Any organization, large or small, can promote healthful eating and active living in the workplace. Here are some suggestions –

Healthy Eating

• for breakfast meetings, in lieu of serving donuts, large muffins, cookies, tea and coffee with cream and sugar, offer healthier alternatives such as bagels, small muffins, fresh fruit, water, 100% fruit juice and milk with coffee and tea.

• for lunch meetings, avoid serving chips, fried foods, rich pastas, and salads loaded with dressing. Instead, offer sandwiches, bagels, whole grain low fat crackers and cheese, 100  percent fruit juice, water, salads with dressing on the side, vegetable and fruit trays.

• Reimburse workers for items purchased to improve their health (e.g. healthy eating cookbooks, consultation with a Registered Dietitian).

• Arrange for the cafeteria or food providers to offer healthful food choices.

• Arrange to have healthful options like bottled water, 100 percent fruit juice, fruit bars, and raisins available in vending machines.

• Give a means for people  to share healthy recipes with each other (for example, posting recipes on the Intranet, on posters or by e-mail).

Active Living

• Plan events and group activities to encourage staff members to become active, such as walking programs, contests and challenge events, stretch breaks, team sports or participation in local or provincial events.

• Offer onsite health experts (e.g. personal trainers, fitness instructors) or incorporate this service in staff member assistance programs to help workers work towards exercise objectives.

• Give a supportive environment in the workplace that makes healthful choices easy –  bicycle racks, shower facilities, clean, safe and accessible stairwells, walking or running routes nearby the workplace, and health club facilities.

• Allow for flex time so that staff members have more opportunities to participate in fitness plans as part of their working day.

• Reimburse staff members for full or partial club membership fees, fitness class registrations, and fitness equipment buys.

• Give corporate gym memberships to reduce costs of individual memberships.

Keeping It Fresh!

Find a champion to –

• Organize lunch “n learn sessions to provide information and motivation for healthful eating and active living.

• Invite demonstrators to provide cooking lessons or tips for making healthy foods.

• Post a rotating list in a common room of local restaurants that offer healthy food options on their menus.

• Distribute information to educate workers on portion sizes.

• Include physical activity and nutrition information in newsletters, pay check inserts, bulletin boards or e-mails.

• Plan activities that promote healthful eating and exercise. for example, begin a year-round lunch-time walking club, and special activities