Ten questions on promoting health and well-being at the workplace
Press release, Helsinki 2014-12-09
At its best, the promotion of health and well-being at work is an integral part of leadership and one of the everyday activities at the workplace. It is based on the needs of the workplace and everyone’s participation. The Health education at workplace survey: reality and needs co-operative project of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), focuses on the needs of employers and the workplace, as well as co-operation between different parties in its TOP 10 recommendations questions.
The TOP 10 recommendations serve to increase the awareness of ways in which to promote health and well-being at the workplace, and to encourage workplaces to plan workplace health promotion (WHP) activities.
”WHP activities that are planned well lead to a common understanding of how things are done at the workplace. It is good to learn how to support employees individually by, for example, finding out who copes better at work through flexible working time arrangements, and how to measure this,” says Anne Salmi, Senior Specialist at FIOH.
”It is especially important to understand that the promotion of health and safety are strongly connected. Do people realize, for instance, that more healthy options at the workplace canteen may lessen the number of near-miss situations that occur in the afternoon? From the perspective of health and well-being at the workplace, identifying what is essential also gives the employer a competitive advantage,” continues Salmi.
Actual needs and active participation form the basis of the recommendations
Health promotion is based on the specific needs of the workplace. Individual solutions for promoting well-being at work and health can be determined during, for example, the employee’s performance appraisal. The general needs of the workplace can be defined by, for example, regular well-being at work questionnaires, which ask about safety, ergonomics, health, work ability, and psychosocial factors at work.
”Everyone in the work community should have the opportunity to take part in planning these measures and to put forward initiatives concerning well-being at work. Participation creates a sense of belonging to one and the same group,” reminds Jaana Lerssi-Uskelin, Head of Development at FIOH.
“The TOP 10 recommendations can also be used in small workplaces. The checklist provides an easy starting point. It is never too late to start promoting well-being at work,” says Lerssi-Uskelin.
The TOP 10 recommendations help management and the work community find their own role in promoting well-being. The new recommendations also support the realization of occupational health co-operation.
”Do you set a good example at your workplace by using the stairs instead of the lift? How do you promote good sleep and sufficient recovery at your workplace? Even the best safety helmet won’t protect an employee from burnout,” Leila Hopsu, Senior Specialist at FIOH reminds us of the importance of seeing the big picture.
The TOP 10 recommendations were compiled through the ‘Health education at workplace survey: reality and needs 2013–2014’ project, carried out at Finnish, Latvian and Lithuanian workplaces. The project was funded by Nordplus Adult.
Further information
Anne Salmi, Senior Specialist, FIOH, tel. +358 43 824 1342, anne.salmi[at]ttl.fi
Jaana Lerssi-Uskelin, Head of Development, FIOH, tel. +358 43 820 1020, jaana.lerssi-uskelin[at]ttl.fi
Leila Hopsu, Senior Specialist, FIOH, tel. +358 30 474 2727, leila.hopsu[at]ttl.fi
See the recommendations
Printed versions can be obtained free of charge from jaana.lerssi-uskelin[at]ttl.fi (limited amount)
The fact sheet is also available in Finnish, Lithuanian and Latvian.
More on workplace health promotion: www.ttl.fi/en/health/workplace_health_promotion
The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health researches, develops and specializes in well-being at work. It promotes occupational health and safety and the well-being of workers. It is an independent institution under public law, working under the administrative sector of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. It has six regional offices, and its headquarters are in Helsinki. It employs about 730 people.
