“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

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1. Introduction

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• 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

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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

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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

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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

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CCKs initiatives cont…

• Team Building carried out every year for staff; Family fun day; End year Party

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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.

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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,

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CCKs initiatives cont…

HIV/Aids Peer Educators in an open day wellness challenge programme

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Be well, live well, serve well

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• “The greatest glory in living lies not in not falling, but rising every time you fall”

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Thank You for your Attention

ASANTE SANA

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