Press Release

Friday, November 7, 2008

Simcoe County Workplace Wellness Network

This release produced in partnership with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

Healthy workplaces recognized

SIMCOE COUNTY – Businesses that recognize a healthy workforce is good for the bottom line were recognized themselves recently at the annual Healthy Workplace Recognition Awards.

Thirteen businesses across Simcoe County were awarded Thursday November 6 for establishing and promoting programs to create a working environment that fosters healthy behaviours and well-being for their employees. Activities ranged from raising awareness to introducing policies and providing education opportunities to help improve employee health.

“Promoting programs and policies that support a healthier workplace is a good investment because they can help to improve employee lifestyle behaviours, morale and productivity,” said Louise MacDonald, chair of the Simcoe County Workplace Wellness Network. “People spend a great deal of their time at work, so it’s an excellent place to encourage workplace health, which is in turn good for business.”

The 2008 Award recipients included: Borden Family Resource Centre, the Canadian Mental Health Association – Barrie/Simcoe, Leacock Care Centre, Georgian College, Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene (MHCP), Ministry of Natural Resources, North Simcoe Hospital Alliance, Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH), Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, Tarpin Lumber Inc., Township of Tiny, Villa Care Centre and the VON Simcoe County.

Some of the initiatives recognized included:

  • RVH’s onsite Farmer’s Market during the summer months, the first of it’s kind for an Ontario hospital, which included healthy eating messages and recipes as well as featuring local foods;
  • the annual MHCP Wellness fair which included educational talks, information sessions and activities to introduce employees to the various health and wellness services in the Simcoe county area; and
  • Georgian College’s “Take Back Your Lunch Break” awareness campaign to encourage and support staff to move away from their desks at lunch and use their breaks to engage in physical activity, healthy eating and stress reduction.

Into its third year, the awards program is run by the Simcoe County Workplace Wellness Network, which consists of workplaces across Simcoe County and the District of Muskoka. Their goal is to provide a forum for sharing of resources and support educational opportunities for workplaces interested in workplace health.

This year’s event also included a key note presentation by Martin Shain, founder of the Neighbour at Work Centre, established to pursue research, evaluation, policy and program development, education and training activities in the area of workplace health and wellbeing. He spoke on “Psychologically Safe Workplace: Why we need it and how we can get it.”

For more on workplace wellness programs see www.simcoemuskokahealth.org or call Your Health Connection at 721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday.