HEALTH, WORK & WELLNESS:

Balancing Values With Economics

Each year we speak with business people to determine the upcoming issues in Canadian workplaces. The sessions that the Health, Work & Wellness Conference can offer to meet the needs of our delegates, who range from human resources practitioners to CEOs to wellness specialists to front-line employees stems from this. Although there are emerging trends each year, there are also many common threads. These commonalities include the need to move from a program approach to an organizational approach of corporate health, for ways to improve and maintain a healthy corporate culture, to assure that workplace wellness makes a difference to the bottom line, and to provide ideas, tools and networking opportunities for those individuals who are striving to create a change in business practices.

This year, a theme that emerged was how to balance the corporate need for ethical labour practices and social responsibility with profitability. The question we wish to answer is this ­ can creating a workplace driven by values and principles, where wellness is a part of the strategic planning of the company, result in financial and health benefits for the organization, in terms of ROI, morale, and retention? And how does this affect our society? Last year we explored ways of "Growing Smart Companies" and touched on the impact this has on society in general ­ not only in reducing medical costs, but in setting higher ethical standards. This year, the conference will explore how organizational wellness can affect the bottom-line while playing a role in "Building Better Societies."

Recent studies indicate that globally, consumers expect organizations to be involved in broader social issues, and often avoid companies they see as not being socially responsible. This year's conference will explore the link between workplace wellness, social responsibility and corporate success.

Other emerging threads that weave through this topic include the role of technology in this process, and meeting the needs of the changing demographics in the workplace. Technology has proven to be a double-edge sword ­ an effective tool for growth, communications and management, but also a demanding one. Information overload can have a negative impact on our well-being. Yet it is here, so how can we effectively utilize technology in the workplace wellness movement? The issue of demographics encompasses simultaneously meeting the needs of an aging workforce and the needs of the new workforce ­ Generation X and the Echo Generation.

These issues will be presented at Conference 2000 in the following streams:

Conference Streams:

1. The Canadian Healthy Workplace Criteria

In 1998, the National Quality Institute (NQI) and Health Canada launched the Canadian Healthy Workplace Criteria, which outline a set of comprehensive building blocks for organizations to follow in developing a healthy work environment ­ both physically and socially. This criteria provides an excellent framework for Human Resources, Health Promotion Professionals and other individuals interested in changing business practices to allow for greater organizational effectiveness. Obtaining a copy of the Canadian Healthy Workplace Criteria from NQI may be helpful in developing your proposal for this stream. Particular attention will be paid to proposals that address how these criteria can be utilized in small businesses. Proposals will be accepted in each of the following areas of healthy workplace development:

a) Leadership:

Workshops will focus on the aspects of leadership that are paramount for the development and maintenance of workplace wellness. Topics may include setting strategic direction for a healthy workplace, developing mission/vision statements to reflect the organization's commitment to wellness, linking organizational wellness to the strategic direction of the organization, demonstrating management commitment to a healthy workplace environment and related topics.

b) Planning:

Aspects of the planning process for developing an overall Healthy Workplace Plan will be included in this section. These might include conducting effective needs assessments, setting long term objectives for organizational health and analyzing data to determine success and future direction. Particular attention will be paid to proposals that address planning to meet the needs of diverse populations and changing demographics.

c) People Focus:

How do organizations foster and support an environment that encourages people to get involved in healthy activities? How can the issues of control, flexibility and input into decision-making be fostered among employees? These issues, and others, related to a focus on people will be addressed.

d) Process Management:

Seminars in this area will focus on the development and improvement of processes within the workplace that have a direct impact on organizational health. Proposals that address the assessment of work systems and new technologies for their impact on employee health will be considered.

e) Outcomes:

Workshops that examine ways of tracking and analyzing data associated with a healthy workplace will be accepted in this area. Examples of positive trends some organizations have seen in attendance, retention, accident rates, utilization of employee wellness programs, behaviour change and other measures will be explored and analyzed.

1. Integration

Over the past few years, a new model of workplace wellness has been emerging. This model takes an organizational, versus a program approach and looks at how organizational health planning can be integrated with, and improve corporate objectives. In this way, efforts can be coordinated, baselines and priorities established, and an integrated way of assessing, analyzing and addressing health-related costs put into place. Workshops in this stream will provide examples of companies that have moved from "silo" managed organizational health to a broader, more integrated approach. They will provide examples of how companies have linked employee well-being and healthy corporate culture with the strategic direction and profitability of the organization. They may also explore the connection between corporate and societal health.

2. Individual Well-Being and its Effect on the Organization

There is an interdependence between individual and organizational well-being. Some of the issues that are troubling today's employees are similar to those of the past two decades ­ such as stress, and balancing work and family. However, these issues are not only NOT going away ­ they seem to be becoming more prominent and troublesome each year. More and more employees are not only dealing with stress, but they have been through periods of burnout. Depression is becoming a much bigger issue. In fact, the World Health Organization states that by the year 2020, depression will be the leading cause of long term disability in the workplace. Trying to juggle and balance the new technologies, the faster pace, and the global economy are causing many individuals to look for ways of "getting back to basics." The questions "how much is too much?" and "how do we simplify our lives?" are being heard more and more often. Proposals are requested that deal with the issues of stress, burnout, depression, balance and simplicity.

3. International Exchange

This stream will provide presentations on workplace wellness from other parts of the globe. It will be an opportunity for networking and sharing of ideas between organizations from other countries and organizations in Canada. Proposals will be accepted from companies in five different countries to share ideas about similarities and differences globally in workplace wellness.

4. Economic and Health Outcomes of Organizational Health

Although interest in workplace wellness has increased, skepticism on the cost-benefit of such initiatives is still high. This stream will focus on workplace initiatives that have shown a return on investment in reduced long term disability, improved retention of employees, decreased absenteeism, or other measures of cost-effectiveness, as well as research that has shown a positive impact on the health of individuals within the workplace. Proposals from CFOs and experts in financial health of organizations, and those in academic and applied research will be favoured. Methods for measuring the health and financial impact or organizational health will be presented.

Why be a presenter?

One of the keys to the success of the Health, Work & Wellness conference each year is the provision of top quality presentations. Being a presenter will increase your visibility in this field, provide networking opportunities, allow you to share your knowledge and experience with others and have special status as a member of the Conference Faculty.

Submitting proposals:

Presenters are encouraged to submit proposals for pre-conference workshops, conference plenary sessions, and concurrent workshops. We encourage presentations in many different formats: lectures, panel discussions, debate, or as practical workshops or activity sessions. In each case, sessions will be selected on the basis of superior quality and relevance.

Pre-conference Workshops:

Half-day and full-day pre-conference workshops will be offered the day before the conference begins. These sessions allow a longer period of time for more in-depth discussion of timely topics. For all proposals which are accepted, renumeration and expenses will be discussed on an individual basis. Deadline: January 10, 2000

Plenary Sessions:

75 minute plenary sessions will provide understanding of the major trends and future directions related to Balancing Values with Economics in Canadian Organizations. Presented by leading speakers and scholars, these sessions will provide the foundation for the conference program. The conference committee searches out leading names and topics for these plenaries. We welcome your submissions, and if accepted, renumeration and expenses will be discussed on an individual basis. Deadline: January 10, 2000

Concurrent Sessions:

75 minute concurrent sessions will be held in the morning and afternoon throughout the conference. Sessions should be composed around a specific topic, practice or trend related to one of the 5 streams. Concurrent speakers will receive a waiver of the conference registration. If two proposals are accepted or if speakers are asked to present a session twice, they will receive a waiver of registration plus free accommodations. Deadline: January 24, 2000

Proposal Deadlines:

Pre-conference and plenary proposals must be postmarked by January 10, 2000. Acknowledgment of receipt will be forwarded to the primary presenter by January 31, 2000. Concurrent session proposals must be postmarked by January 24, 2000. Acknowledgment of receipt will be forwarded by February 28, 2000. Proposals postmarked after the deadline will be reviewed only if space permits. Presentation proposals will be reviewed by the Conference Program Committee with notification to primary presenters by March 31, 2000.

Proposal Application:

Presenter Information:

Name: Job Title:

Company:

Street Address:

City: Province/State: Postal Code:

Country:

Phone: Fax: E-mail:

 

Proposed Session:

Title:

Format: lecture, practical workshop, panel discussion, debate

Session Type: _ day pre-conference workshop, full-day pre-conference workshop, 75 minute plenary session, 75 minute concurrent session

Target Audience (a brief description of who would attend your session):

 

Learning Objectives (maximum three):

1

2

3

Session Abstract/Detailed Description: Include a clear, concise (250 words maximum) session abstract on a single white sheet of paper. Attach to the abstract a detailed explanation of what will be covered in the session as well as an outline of how it will be covered. Please limit the detailed explanation to 5 double-spaced typed pages, for a total of 6 pages including the abstract.

Presenter(s) Biography and Session Summary: On a single sheet of paper, please include the following: a 50-word biography for each of the presenters and a 50-word summary description of your proposed session. In addition, please include a passport size black & white photograph suitable for the conference brochure. If your presentation is selected, this information will be used in the conference publicity materials and final conference program. Please ensure that your biography relates to your proposed session, and indicates all degrees earned. Biographies and session summaries that exceed 50 words will be edited at the Conference Program Committee's discretion.

Additional Presenters: List below any additional presenters for this presentation. Please note: All correspondence will be forwarded to the primary presenter ­ the presenter is responsible for communicating with all additional presenters. Additional presenters will NOT have their conference fees waived.

Presenter #2:________________________ Job Title:_____________ Company:_______

Phone:_____________ Fax:____________________ Email:______________________

 

Presenter #3:________________________ Job Title:_____________ Company:_______

Phone:_____________ Fax:____________________ Email:______________________

 

References: (Please provide two references for your work as a presenter)

 

Reference #1:_______________________ Job Title:_____________ Company:_______

Phone:_____________ Fax:____________________ Email:______________________

 

Reference #2:_______________________ Job Title:_____________ Company:_______

Phone:_____________ Fax:____________________ Email:______________________

 

Checklist of Required Attachments:

___ Application Form

___ Session Abstract

___ Detailed Explanation/Outline of Session

___ Presenter Biography

___ Session Summary for Brochure

___ Black & White Picture

___ References

 

Mail or fax this form and all required attachments to:

 

Health, Work & Wellness Conference: Balancing Values With Economics

Call for Proposals

Programs Committee 2000

Box 325, 916 West Broadway

Vancouver, BC V5Z 1K7

Phone: 604-604-0922

Fax: 604-739-7874
 
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