Encouraging healthy eating habits, exercising and quitting smoking are just a few of the pillars of Wellness Works, a new campaign that aims to help employers get their employees living healthier lives. This announcement was made by Healthy Living and Seniors Minister Sharon Blady.
“When we have a healthy workforce, it’s a strong workforce that supports a steady economy. I’m pleased some prominent Manitoba businesses are already engaged in making their workplaces healthier,” said Minister Blady.
Wellness Works, was developed in partnership with the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce along with representation from employers and labour.
“This campaign will help encourage Manitobans to choose healthy alternatives in every aspect of their lives – at home and at work,” said Chuck Davidson, president and CEO, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. “With businesses signing up for this campaign, we believe they will see immediate benefits in employee’s health and attitudes contributing to a better bottom line, and that’s good for business.”
Businesses can join by signing up online. Once committed, employers can select from a series of pledges to better support the wellness of their staff. The implementation of pledges will vary depending on the workplace but could include things like encouraging staff to increase physical activity, improve work-life balance, offer healthy food options and make support available to staff trying to quit smoking.
The minister noted the government has since committed to the following three pledges:
- helping staff reduce tobacco use,
- reducing the spread of the flu in the workplace, and
- promoting a healthy work-life balance.
“We’re pleased to be a part of this campaign and strive for the best in a workplace that encourages a healthy lifestyle,” said Grant Shaw, vice-president, corporate development and culture, National Leasing. “We’re taking a number of steps to promote healthy living in the workforce by providing healthy choices and opportunities that keep us physically and mentally fit. We can see the difference we’re making in the lives of our employees.”
Participating businesses will be eligible for an award of recognition and will have the ability to identify themselves as a ‘healthy workplace’, which will set them apart and could make it easier to recruit and retain staff, Minister Blady noted.
