EDITORIAL: Workplace wellness key
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything about how we work, including the kind of support employees may need and the way in which workplace wellness programmes must now be framed.
Indeed, it has been known for some time that investing in healthy workplaces via the implementation of effective workplace wellness programmes, can lead to an increase in overall productivity and profits, whilst reducing absenteeism. The workplace can be an environment in which people are afforded the opportunity to learn what makes and keeps them healthy, have the experience of eating healthier foods, and develop the habit and desire to participate in physical exercise.
Workplace wellness initiatives have in the past been considered given the context of the changing health status of the population, especially the rising level of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease and some cancers, which are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among Barbadians. The number and type of workplace wellness programmes have varied across the public and private sectors. Most organisations celebrating an important milestone have at times included a health awareness day or a health fair, offering screening, counselling and information to their staff and patrons. Others have employed health care providers to identify health problems at an early stage and have also referred workers for follow-up visits. Other organisations have adopted more of a primary prevention strategy, by providing fitness facilities on-site or fitness classes for workers and some have even established policies on the type of food provided in their canteens, thereby helping workers to make healthier lifestyle choices.
Given the present COVID-19 pandemic, employers in both the public and private sector may now need to reconsider what their workplace wellness programmes should look like, in this new environment. They may have to reduce physical interactions and opt for greater use of the technology, but such programmes previously in place, should not be neglected. Now more than ever, they should also have a mental health or emotional health component, to better help workers cope.
To date, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) has identified workplace wellness as a priority area and has taken steps to sensitise the Caribbean private sector about the importance of implementing cost-effective workplace wellness programmes, in collaboration with civil society and the public sector. The Coalition says it will be producing a number of webinars to help improve awareness of non-communicable diseases, as one of three pillars in an overall wellness programme being designed for employees of CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank, by the Healthy Caribbean Coalition. This was revealed as the HCC and CIBC FirstCaribbean signed another three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recently. The renewal which will run until 2023, includes other pillars that will encompass a strengthening of the bank’s workplace wellness programme and a community volunteer initiative.
Now clearly, we need to see more of these programmes, in both the public and private sectors in Barbados. A strengthening of workplace wellness programmes can certainly aid workers struggling to cope in this new COVID-19 environment or those who simply need an extra bit of support, to improve on their health and by extension, productivity.