AVOIDING A CORPORATE HEALTH 911 // CORPORATE HEALTH, WELLNESS & REJUVENATION
AVOIDING A
CORPORATE HEALTH 911 Tips from the experts on building a health and wellness program for 2022 and beyond
BY JAMIE ZACHARY
I
t’s been one of those years. Or maybe this is just the “new normal” we often hear about.
Yet for many companies heading into the new year, it’s anything but normal when it comes to caring for their employees. New work models, different protocols and, overall, a stressed-out workforce are putting the focus squarely on what local experts say is a new generation of health and wellness programs. Melanie Peacock, an associate professor who specializes in human resource management in the Bissett School of Business at Mount Royal University, notes occupational health and safety programs have been around for decades. Over the course of this pandemic, however, they have flourished into a front-line topic.
A 2020 Workplace Outcome Suite survey that interviewed more than 35,000 employees in 26 different countries found that ROI for employers ranged from 3:1 for small-size employers to 9:1 for large-size employers. The results found cost savings upward of $3,500 per employee using an EAP. “Yet it’s not just about choosing any type of employee assistance program,” says Peacock. “Employers still need to research the provider. Make sure they’re reputable. I’d focus questions on things like their availability, who they hire, can they provide references – those kinds of things.
And she’s encouraged that many employers and employees alike are now openly talking about it in a much more encompassing manner.
“Then, it’s about educating employees. A lot of those employees might not understand what those programs offer, which could include services such as financial advice and relationship counselling. And they need to know it’s all confidential.”
“It’s not just about tying down cords or safely operating equipment. In the context of health and safety, we’re now starting to talk about things like harassment, bullying or the feeling of being left out. We’re talking about mental wellbeing,” says Peacock.
Nutritional programs are also becoming popular in supporting employee wellness and preventing escalating costs related to the employee health. According to the Dietitians of Canada, seven out of 10 major insurers now include dietitian services in their standard plans.
“And while these are not new topics, what we’ve done is illuminated and elevated our awareness and importance of a variety of occupational health and safety issues. These things have always mattered. They’re now just at the forefront.”
“When companies start to invest in their employees – whether that be through mental health or nutrition support – the only things they can do is enhance performance and show they care,” says Leslie Steeves, a Calgary-based registered dietitian at Grassroots Nutrition.
Peacock highlights employee assistance programs (EAPs) as being more important than ever. She acknowledges that while they are not cheap, research also shows a high return
60
on investment through improved productivity and less time lost.
JANUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM
Steeves works on corporate nutrition programs for clients in industries such as oil and gas, often in the form of team
