Provides a snapshot of the state of workplace mental health and wellbeing in Australia. The 2016 Work in Progress Report provides an update on the baseline of attitudes and actions for mental health and wellbeing in Australian workplaces, first established in the 2015 report. The report provides more evidence and support for investing in the mental health of workers to achieve enhanced productivity, employee performance and satisfaction at work. Importantly, the report draws a clear picture of what a thriving organisation looks like and provides clear actions and directions as to how employers and managers can effectively support employees to be their best at work.
Supporting Resources
- Tools & Templates
- Case Studies
- Providers and Campaigns
- Publications and Links
Tools & Templates
Tools and Templates
Healthier Work has a range of resources, tools and templates to assist you in successfully developing and implementing a workplace health and wellbeing program within your organisation.
Workplace Health Savings Calculator
This is an easy to use calculator that can help to measure potential savings associated with implementing a successful workplace health program by measuring absenteeism and staff turnover in the workplace.
This calculator can be used in two ways: as a business case to demonstrate potential savings your business could expect from a successful workplace program or to track progress of a workplace program that you have implemented or are currently implementing.
This calculator should be used as an overall gauge of the impact (or potential impact) of a successful workplace health program.
The Workplace Health Savings Calculator allows you to determine the annual cost of sick leave, staff turnover and total annual savings of having a healthier workplace and can be accessed here.
Additional information on the the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing Workplace Health Savings Calculator can be found here.
Guide to Promoting Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace (under review – November 2020)
Whether your organisation is about to begin a workplace health and wellbeing program or is looking to build on an existing one, the Guide to Promoting Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace will provide you with comprehensive information to assist.
You can use the Guide to move through the stages of creating an effective workplace health and wellbeing program that meets the individual needs of your organisation and workforce. The health issues covered in this Guide include: physical activity; healthy eating; smokefree; reduced alcohol consumption; and social and emotional wellbeing.
Download Guide to Promoting Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace 2016 (pdf -2.3MB) UNDER REVIEW
ACT Healthy Workplaces Audit Tool
This tool can assist your workplace to establish a baseline against which improvements in its readiness and capacity to be a health promoting environment can be measured. The audit asks questions about key dimensions of the workplace environment which contribute to the health and wellbeing of staff, including:
- Commitment
- Provision of activities
- Facilities and infrastructure
- Accessing external resources
- Resourcing
- Planning
- Administration and evaluation
- Inclusiveness and participation
Download HW_Audit_Tool (pdf – 2.4MB)
Health and Wellbeing Policy Example
This resource provides your workplace with information to assist in the development of an organisational health and wellbeing policy and includes an example policy.
Such a policy allows your organisation to: document its commitment to health and wellbeing; clearly define program objectives that are both realistic and easily measured; and outline the various responsibilities for key groups, such as management, organising committee, workers and external providers.
This resource also includes a link to a downloadable policy template (in word format) for workplaces to use as a starting point in developing their own health and wellbeing policy.
Download HW_Policy_Example (pdf – 854K)
Download Health_and_Wellbeing_Policy_Template (doc 1.2MB)
Health and Wellbeing Action Plan Example
This resource can assist your workplace to effectively plan for the implementation of your program by identifying:
- Clear goals and objectives for what you want to achieve
- The strategies you intend to use in your program and the activities that will be required to implement these strategies
- Timelines and required resources for implementing your strategies
- Who will be involved in the implementation
- How you will measure how successful your strategies have been
A clear action plan example is provided – which identifies both ‘people’ and ‘places’ strategies – to help guide the development of your own action plan. This action plan should be signed off by your senior management and communicated effectively to staff to build momentum for your program and encourage staff participation.
This resource also includes a link to a downloadable action plan template (in word format) for workplaces to use as a starting point in developing their own health and wellbeing action plan.
Download HW_Action_Plan_template (pdf -366K)
Workplace Health Evaluation Overview
This resource can assist your workplace to consider appropriate program data collection processes and develop an evaluation plan for your program that considers processes, as well as short, medium and long term outcomes.
Remember that workplace health and wellbeing programs take time to effect substantial change. Changes in employee engagement and team cohesiveness should begin to emerge over a few months. Changes in health knowledge and behaviours, job satisfaction, productivity and corporate image are then likely to emerge within 1-2 years, and in 3-5 years you should see changes in absenteeism, injuries and workers compensation costs.
Download HW_Evaluation_Overview (pdf – 366k)
Case Studies
Healthier Work annually produces a Case Study Book featuring the businesses which have been supported by Healthier Work over the year. The case studies are designed to provide examples of health and wellbeing initiatives in varying workplaces supported by Healthier Work, including how they have overcome barriers of creating a healthier workplace.
The Healthier Work – helping people and business thrive 2019-20 Case Study Book is available to download in full here.
Individual case studies from the 2019-20 case study book will be available here shortly.
Previous case studies
Healthier Work 2018-19 Case Study Book
Healthier Work 2017-18 Case Study Book
Healthier Work 2016-17 Case Study Book
Providers and Campaigns
Healthier Work is here to support you to plan and a deliver health and wellbeing program within your workplace. However, you may need some specialist support to help you deliver components of your program, like providing workplace health checks or nutrition seminars. You may also like to draw on local or national health campaigns
The below list provides information for a range of (mostly local) government and not-for-profit health and wellbeing service providers and campaigns that can help you to develop and implement your programs.
This list is not exhaustive and is provided for the information of workplaces only. You can also find a wide range of corporate workplace health and wellbeing services online. Service providers are in no way endorsed by Healthier Work or WorkSafe ACT, nor are their services or prices warranted or guaranteed in any manner.
When selecting a provider, we encourage you to research which organisation best matches your agency’s needs. You may want to think about the following when choosing an external provider.
- Are they a member of a relevant peak body or have recognised accreditation?
- Do they have professional indemnity or liability insurance?
- Do personnel delivering the service have relevant and valid qualifications?
- Do they practice in accordance with their industry body code of ethics?
- Do they practice according to a comprehensive privacy policy?
- Have they delivered similar programs in the past?
General Health
ACT Government Health Directorate
Women’s Centre for Health Matters
Alcohol and Other Drugs
Alcohol and Drug Program – ACT Government Health Directorate 24 Hour Helpline Phone: (02) 5124 9977
Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT
National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction
Foundation for Alcohol Research
Smoking Cessation
Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT
Quitline Phone: 13 78 48
Don’t make smokes your story (National campaign)
Physical Activity
Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines
Nutrition
Community Nutrition – ACT Government Health Directorate
Eat for Health
Food Standards Australia and New Zealand
Social and Emotional Wellbeing
Australian Breastfeeding Association
Care Inc (financial counselling services)
Eating Disorders Program – ACT Government Health Directorate
LivingWorks Education Australia
Relationships Australia Canberra and Region
Chronic Disease Prevention
The Asthma Foundation of the ACT
Publications and Links
Below are some publications that you might find useful in developing and implementing your health and wellbeing program.
ACT Workplace Health Promotion Needs Analysis 2011 Summary Report
(PwC) was engaged by the ACT Government Health Directorate to undertake an analysis to understand the makeup of the ACT business community, as well as the health promotion needs and practices of local employers, employees and other market stakeholders. The needs analysis consisted of three primary activities: data analysis of the health status of ACT workers; stakeholder consultation; and a literature review.
The Miller Group Healthier Work Evaluation 2015
This document includes background on Healthier Work, how the evaluation was undertaken, thecomplexitiess and limitations of Healthier Work, key process findings, key impact findings and critical factors in the success of Healthier Work.
Sick at Work. The cost of presenteeism to your business and the economy (2011) – Medibank Private
Medibank Private commissioned research on the costs and impact of presenteeism on the Australian workforce and economy, and the impact of the ageing population on presenteeism.
Promoting Positive Mental Heath in the Workplace: guidelines for organisations
SuperFriend, Deakin University and the University of Melbourne developed guidelines that organisations can use to promote positive mental health in the workplace. this resource provides practical tips and actionable strategies for developing a work environment that promotes positive mental health.
Work in Progress report 2016 – SuperFriend
Report on the current state of workplace wellness in Australia and the ways in which workplace wellness can be optimised, with consideration of the issues and enablers for growth and sustainability.
Stand Up Australia: Sedentary behaviours in workers (2009) – Medibank Private
Medibank Private research investigating sitting time for various groups of working adults including office based, retail and call centre sector workplaces.
The Cost of Workplace Stress in Australia (2008) – Medibank Private
Medibank Private commissioned research which illustrates the economic impact of workplace stress.
The Health of Australia’s Workforce (2005) – Medibank Private
Medibank Private study looking at the health profile of employees, with a focus on the relationship between employee health and
wellbeing
, and productivity.
Benefits to business: The evidence for investing in worker health and wellbeing – Comcare
Factsheets outlining the evidence of the health and productivity benefits of investing in workplace health and wellbeing programs and some of the myths and misconceptions of workplace health and wellbeing programs.
Guidelines for best practice in corporate wellness.
Steps for creating a workplace that supports employees in healthy lifestyle behaviours, including how to get started, construct and implement a workplace health program.
Partnership statement between the Australian Government, peak employer/industry bodies and unions demonstrating an important commitment of these parties to promote good health in and through workplaces.
Report on the development of a quality framework for the Healthy Workers Initiative. This report includes:
-
supporting guidance for providers, programs and employers operating in workplace health promotion
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a proposal for a system for voluntary registration and assessment
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a set of Principles for Healthy Workplaces aimed at employers wishing to establish, maintain and improve healthy lifestyle programs within their workplaces
The Victorian Government Department of Human Services commissioned a rapid review to determine what types of primary prevention programs in the workplace are most likely to be effective in preventing chronic disease.