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Home My WebLink AboutCAO-002-13 Chrington REPORT OFFICE OF THE CAO Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: February 25, 2013 Resolution#: -1 -t By-law#: N/A Report#: CAO-002-13 File#: Subject: EMPLOYEE WELLNESS COMMITTEE — HEALTHY WORKPLACE AWARD RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report CAO-002-13 be received for information. Submitted by: ss . r� t Franklin Wu Chief Administrative Officer CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 REPORT NO.: CAO -002 -13 1.1 The Employee Wellness Committee was created in 2008 after a need was identified and interest was expressed by staff. The Employee Wellness Committee reports to the Chief Administrative Officer and is comprised of volunteer staff members who share a passion for sharing healthy living messages with their co- workers. 1.2 The mandate of the Employee Wellness Committee is to encourage group participation in problem solving and provide a forum that helps to empower our employees to recognize that each of us has within us the power to make the choices that maintain our health. 1.3 The Committee functions as one of the available resources that can support employees in linking wellness principles to diverse employee health and lifestyle needs and interests as they look for ways to improve their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. 1.4 The Committee's objective is to support and contribute to the Municipality of Clarington's Employee Wellness program. This objective includes: ➢ Determine needs & interests of employees with respect to employee wellness; ➢ Establishment of goals and target dates for wellness initiatives; ➢ Ongoing identification and analysis of program progression and success; ➢ Consideration of techniques available to promote wellness programs in order to achieve active participation from employees. 2.0 EMPLOYEE WELLNESS COMMITTEE INITIATIVES 2012 2.1 The Region of Durham — Health Department promotes chronic disease prevention in the workplace since chronic disease is the #1 cause of death and disability and it is largely preventable. The Employee Wellness Committee chose to promote activities which focused on cancer screening and prevention in 2012. 2.2 In 2012, the Employee Wellness Committee provided wellness information with a focus on cancer screening & prevention in a variety of activities including: ➢ Steps Towards Wellness Challenge - provided regular challenges and goal setting for participants :'•Z.. • A• 11 ➢ Cancer Screening & Prevention Jeopardy — interactive computer game testing knowledge of cancer screening awareness ➢ Canadian Cancer Society Display ➢ Promoted various regional, provincial and national campaigns to our co- workers: • Colon Cancer Awareness Month (March) • Sun Safety (June) • Breast Cancer Screening (October) • Prostate Cancer awareness / Movember (November) • Oral Cancer Screening (December) ➢ Participation in Healthy Workplace Month 2.3 The Employee Wellness Committee operates these activities at low or no cost. Prizes which are used to promote participation are generously donated by our Community Partners in Health: Region of Durham — Health Department, local charitable health organizations and the CAD's office. 3.0 FUTURE PLANNING 3.1 The Employee Wellness Committee met in early 2013 to develop a plan for activities for the coming year. The Committee has chosen to focus on promoting Physical Activity. There are many benefits to being physically active which the Committee hopes to convey to our co- workers: ➢ Stress management ➢ Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight ➢ Positive self -image ➢ Lower risk of developing chronic disease ➢ And many more... 3.2 Where applicable and possible, the Employee Wellness Committee aligns their activity planning with local, provincial and national health campaigns already in existence. The activities & initiatives that the Employee Wellness Committee has begun planning for staff for 2013 include: ➢ February — Survivor — Physical Activity tracking challenge ➢ March — Nutrition Month — focus on information linking proper nutrition and physical activity ➢ April — promote Urban Poling as a way to get active ➢ May — Scavenger Hunt — Walking routes to encourage activity and explore the community we live & work in ➢ June — Pedometer Challenge ➢ September — Promote the benefits & importance of including daily stretching and flexibility REPORT NO.: CAO- 002 -13 October — Healthy Workplace Month November — Preparation for Winter activities — ways to stay active this winter 3.3 In 2013, the Employee Wellness Committee will be relying on services provided at no charge by our community health partners as well as prize donations to encourage staff participation. It is the Committee's goal to secure a small budget account in 2014 in order to enhance our program offerings and increase employee participation. 4.0 HEALTHY WORKPLACE AWARD 4.1 The Healthy Workplace Award through the Region of Durham was introduced in 2011. The award recognizes workplaces in Durham Region for their commitment to workplace health and the prevention of chronic diseases. Workplaces are awarded for their commitment to the comprehensive approach to health promotion. Workplaces will receive an award of recognition (Bronze, Silver or Gold) presented at their workplace. The Healthy Workplace Award is based on achieving points under 4 health promotion strategies: Awareness Raising, Education & Skill Building, Environmental Support and Healthy Policies. 4.2 The Municipality of Clarington's Employee Wellness Committee is proud to receive the Gold Healthy Workplace Award for recognition of our activities which promoted cancer screening awareness with Municipality of Clarington employees in 2012.