A new service to help South Australian businesses has been launched today, designed to create a workplace that boosts employees’ mental and physical wellbeing.
Healthy Workplaces Service provides employers, large or small, with free and practical information to show how they can support their workers in a healthy and thriving environment through:
- Addressing specific health and wellbeing issues, including stress reduction.
- Developing health and wellbeing programs to promote physical activity, healthy eating, smoking cessation and alcohol reduction.
- Linking into resources and support to improve mental health, decrease staff turnover and highlight workplace safety.
The prevention-focused service – developed after consultation with more than 250 workplaces – aims to help businesses take proactive steps to build a positive and safe work culture before challenges arise.
“In a period of labour shortage, a supportive workplace is not just a nicety but a necessity to attract and retain good employees,” says Minister for Small & Family Business, Andrea Michaels.
“Business owners recognise the connection between happy, healthy employees and a productive workplace – but the steps to building this environment are not always obvious.
“I encourage our business community to access the Healthy Workplaces Service and begin exploring the ways in which you can lift the physical and mental health of your employees.”
Work-related injuries and illnesses are estimated to cost the South Australian economy $5 billion each year, significantly impacting workplace productivity and performance while putting extra pressure on the healthcare system.
Concerningly, about 8 in 10 South Australian workers (83 per cent) have multiple risk factors – such as obesity, alcohol or smoking – with more than a quarter of workers also experiencing a mental health condition including anxiety and depression.
“Everyone deserves to work in a place where their health and wellbeing matters,” says Minister for Health & Wellbeing, Chris Picton.
“We’re giving businesses the tools they need to develop a culture of care within their ranks – which not only boosts their bottom line, it means less pressure on our health system.
“This evidence-based service puts employees’ needs first and will help cut down work-related injuries and illnesses.”
The service – part of a five-year, $3.6 million Healthy Workplace Strategy – is a joint initiative of Wellbeing SA, the Department for Industry, Innovation and Science, ReturnToWork SA, SafeWork SA and the Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment, with Business SA also playing a key role in the project.
Businesses can sign up to use the service at healthyworkplaces.sa.gov.au/service.
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