Size Doesn’t Matter: Small city takes big steps to foster a healthy workplace

City of Kamloops

Kamloops, British Columbia

The City of Kamloops may be small, but it sure is mighty when it comes to fostering a healthy workplace for its 650 employees.

While many organizations are just now recognizing the benefits of encouraging a physically active workforce, the City of Kamloops was already ahead of game in 2002 and went one step further to implement a more holistic program that encompasses a variety of health and wellness components.

The result is Wellness Works, a proactive measure within the disability management program that has grown to include a potent mix of activities and initiatives aimed at promoting a healthy workplace at the City of Kamloops.

The Human Resources Department specifically developed the Wellness Works program with the philosophy that wellness is one piece of a health workplace approach, which also includes promoting a safer physical environment and positive organizational culture.

Program Goals

The organization felt that being an ‘employer of choice’ means providing an enjoyable and fulfilling working environment so employees can achieve a good work/life balance.

Wellness Works strives to achieve this vision through three main principals of a healthy workplace, as identified by the National Quality Institute, a Canadian organization dedicated to organizational excellence:

• Support healthy lifestyles, behaviours and coping skills for employees;
• Foster a safe and healthy workplace; and
• Develop a positive organizational culture.

Program Components

To support the key principles of a healthy workplace, the City of Kamloops provides two well-equipped on-site company gyms as well as educational workshops on such topics as positive parenting, stress relief, nicotine cessation, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

An employee assistance program is also offered to staff on a regular basis, including short-term counselling and health testing for blood sugar, cholesterol and bone density.

In 2004 the City of Kamloops launched a ‘Walk for Wellness’ component to promote physical fitness.  Walking kits with a pedometer, water bottle and log book were distributed to everyone to encourage employees to walk a minimum of 10,000 steps a day to achieve health benefits.

The Wellness Works committee distributes information on the many benefits of walking and organizes local hikes, walking clinics and team step challenges as additional incentives to keep staff moving.

Healthy Workplace Week

Canada's Healthy Workplace Week is a highlight for the Wellness Works program when a whole host of activities and events are lined up for employees, including:

• Fibre-focused breakfasts
• Apple day
• Free flu shots
• Health testing
• Mammography screening appointments
• Walking clinics
• Gym orientations
• Wellness seminars
• Local hikes
• Noon hour run club sessions
• ‘Learn how to play tennis’ sessions
• Personal health quiz contests

The City of Kamloops also offers Healthy Work Week Workshops to staff on topics such as:

• Nutrition
• Osteoporosis
• Heart health and stroke prevention
• Preparing for retirement
• Caring for the elderly
• Parenting teens
• Other topics presented by community speakers

Community Involvement & Support

Encouraging involvement in the community is another important part of the Wellness Works program.  City staff are visible at community events throughout the year, including the CIBC Run for the Cure in support of breast cancer research, the Canadian Cancer Society’s Terry Fox Run, and other fundraising efforts.

Employees have formed teams for the ‘Adopt-A-Road’ environmental protection program, volunteered their time to Operation Red Nose over the holidays, and supported drives by the local Food Bank and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

For example, the Wellness Works committee recently created an employee cookbook with the proceeds going to the Food Bank.

Partnering to Promote Health

A partnership with Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services and its ‘Kammotion’ program allowed the Wellness Works program to expand and offer speaking opportunities to the local business community to promote the development of wellness programs for their own staff.

In 2006, the City partnered with local School District #73 and launched the inaugural 19-kilometre ‘Rivers Trail Walking Marathon’.  This pilot project was a huge success and will be opened to the community in 2007 as well as offered to other organizations to use as a fundraiser for their favorite charities or to launch their own wellness programs.

For More Information

For more information, please contact Lori Rilkoff, CHRP, Human Resources Manager at (250) 828-3442 or via email at lrilkoff@kamloops.ca.