“EMPLOYEE WELLNESS”
BY MRS. PATRICIA KERRETTS-KEMEI, MANAGER/TALENT & ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION OF KENYA (CCK)
AFRALTI HCD Forum -February,2014, Lilongwe, Malawi
Employee WellnessHealthy Employees, Healthy Bottom Line.
•What is wellness and why is it important?•Profile of Unhealthy Employee•Chronic disease and risk factors•Keys to a successful wellness program•CCKs Employee Wellness Initiatives
2
1. Introduction
3
• Wellness
“the quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal”
(Merriam Webster Inc.)
2. Profile of Unhealthy Employee
• 48 year old male
• Works in County Assembly of Nairobi
• Tobacco and alcohol use
• Unhealthy diet
• Physical inactivity
• High stress job and family responsibility
• Height 6’1 and weighs 120 kgs4
3. Chronic Disease & Risk Factors
• Obesity - >30% , $ 13 billion & lost productivity. At higher risk – high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes,
• Inactivity - >$24 billion a year. Activity is more effective in reducing cardiovascular risk than weight loss
(statistics –Health Advocate Inc,) 5
Risk Factors cont…
• Smoking – 1 in 5 deaths; >1pack/day smokers have 75% /higher rate of lost production time than non-smokers
• Drug and Alcohol Abuse – Abseentism is 2-3 times higher in alcohol users
• Sleep Apnea – highly related to obesity
• Chronic Disease –
diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease,
asthma 6
Stress and Depression
• Increase health care costs more than obesity, smoking or high
• blood pressure combines Accounts for 20% of absenteeism and turnover
• Costs $300 billion/per year
7
4. Prevention to control Health Care Costs
• Encourage regular check ups – screening to detect early disease
• Offer Wellness Programmes to modify lifestyles
• Reinforce benefits of prevention and healthy lifestyles
8
Evolution of Wellness Programmes
Traditional Programmes
New wave of Wellness Component
• Tobacco cessation• Exercise / Fitness• Weight loss• Stress
Management
• “E-Health” options / customized online health information
• Personal health records – reduces redundancy /healthcare costs
• Personal wellness coaching – improves chance of reaching health goals
9
5. CCKs Initiatives on Employee Wellness
• Medical scheme for all staff
– non discriminatory and all inclusive
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – provides access to Workplace Counselors and out-sourced Psychiatric Doctors
• Prayer Room
• Physical Fitness Gym within the workplace and Jogging Track. 10
CCKs initiatives cont…
• Sporting Activities: Corporate member of KECOSO Games with employees in competing teams of – Pool, Snooker, Scrabble, Golf, Athletics, Field events, Darts, Athletics
11
CCKs initiatives cont…
• Team Building carried out every year for staff; Family fun day; End year Party
12
CCK initiatives cont…
• Flexi hours for lactating/breast feeding mothers. Maternity/Paternity leave.
• Staff canteen: - employee welfare
• Soft music played in the public address system in the office– soothes the mind.
13
CCKs initiatives cont…
• Insurance – workman's compensation act
• Grieving policy – compassionate leave
• CSR activities – employees participate in giving and reaching out to the less fortunate; Mater Heart Run;
• Training and Awareness: Stress & Financial Management; Drugs & Substance Abuse; HIV/Aids,
14