Employee health network created

Agroup of Ararat organisations and businesses have banded together to promote employee health after taking part in an Active April program last month.

Grampians Community Health spokeswoman Shirlei Barnes said the program was in response to an increase in preventable disease and workplace injury resulting from unhealthy living, leading to workplace absence.

She said lifestyle risk factors such as smoking, excessive drinking, poor diet, inactivity and excess body weight could all contribute to time away from work.

“Workplaces in Ararat Rural City have committed to ensuring their workers are encouraged and enabled to have good health in their work environment,” she said.

“As a show of commitment, a Workplace Health and Wellbeing Network has been established.

“The network is coordinated by health promotion staff at Grampians Community Health and East Grampians Health, and consists of a range of workplaces including large manufacturing companies, health services, child and sporting services, local government and small businesses.

“The aim of the network is to work as a collective to create supportive working environments

and work culture, as well as making the healthy choice the easy choice for the employee.

“So far network representatives have shared policies, program ideas, training opportunities and general experience in implementing health and wellbeing strategies.”

Ararat business AME Systems’ Sally Perry said the benefits of a healthy workplace were worth the investment for employers.

“Benefits include improved work performance and productivity, reduced absenteeism and sick leave, decreased incidence of attending work when sick, decreased frequency and cost of workers compensation, improved staff morale, satisfaction and motivation, and improved corporate image and attraction-retention of employees,” she said.

Grampians Community Health’s Rachel Whittaker said a healthier workplace would put less strain on health services.

“Traditionally, the health of our population has fallen on health services usually supporting people when they are becoming unwell or already sick,” she said.

“We have learnt that if we can provide the right environments to encourage good health, people not only perform better, but it also contributes to their overall health in other parts of their life.”

Ararat organisations can call Ms Whittaker on 5358 7400 for more information.