The connection between health and wellbeing is closely linked to workplace environments, making healthy workplaces meaningful for any business. When employees feel valued, respected and satisfied in their jobs and work in safe, healthy environments, they are more likely to be productive and committed to their work.

​The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce supports Healthy Workplaces by bringing together information, tools and resources to help both employers and employees make their workplaces healthy and safe.

​Four local organizations stepped forward to be founding partners of Healthys Workplaces. We sat down with one of them — the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba — to find out a little bit more about why supporting healthy workplaces is important to them.

In your opinion, why do you believe an organization should take a serious interest in both the physical and mental wellbeing of its employees?
​
Workers often tell us that when an employer takes an interest in their wellbeing, it means that they feel valued and appreciated.  A workplace that fosters a caring and supportive culture for its workers, is place they want to work at, and a company where they want to participate. It’s a good way to recruit and retain talented workers.

What are some initiatives, programs or policies that your organization employs to provide a healthy workplace for your employees?

The WCB offers many ways for employees to maximize their physical and psychological health.  Wellness programming is available throughout the year with offerings such as yoga, Pilates and strength training.  Resiliency workshops, mental health first aid training and mindfulness-based stress reduction are also offered as part of our approach to provide a healthy workplace for our employees.  The WCB also supports its employees’ professional development through opportunities for learning and development from post-secondary courses and professional conferences to a variety of in-house training.

What are some ways that your organization can help other workplaces to provide a healthier environment for its employees?

The WCB actively educates and supports employers to involve their workers in helping to develop programs like Return to Work for their work site, and to include mental health issues in the program. People who participate understand the benefits for both themselves and the company.

From a psychological health perspective, SAFE Work Manitoba (a division of the WCB) and our partners offer resources to assist employers in integrating a prevention perspective into their management of psychological safety and health in the workplace.