CCI, UnionsWA and State Government unite for employee health

The State Government, Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) and UnionsWA have united to encourage business and industry to support healthy active Western Australian employees.

The Healthy Active Workplace policy outlines a framework and vision to achieve a co-ordinated approach to a healthier, more active workforce in WA.

Today's launch of the Healthy Active Workplace policy will see Government and industry working together to meet these ends.

Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron said workplaces were an important setting for health promotion and strong evidence supported investment in healthy active workplace programs.

"Today's working environment can contribute to inactive lifestyles and high levels of stress, which impacts on employees' health and increases costs to the business sector through loss of productivity and absenteeism," Mr Waldron said.

"Creating a workplace culture supporting and enhancing the health and wellbeing of Western Australians is a priority to provide health, social and economic benefits across the State.

"This co-ordinated approach highlights the importance of this issue for all unions, members of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the State Government."

In signing to the policy, the three bodies agreed to:

• Endorsing and supporting the implementation of best-practice workplace health and wellbeing programs
• Making guidelines available to public, private and not-for-profit organisations on how to implement a best practice program
• Implementing supportive policy to strengthen action across all sectors
• Offering centralised support to all agencies to develop their existing or new health and wellbeing programs.

World Health Organisation research showed workplace health programs could reduce sick leave by up to 30 per cent and increase productivity by up to 53 per cent.

Within Western Australia, a one per cent increase in employee involvement in workplace programs would save about $4.5million.

Healthy Active Workplaces is a key initiative of the Physical Activity Taskforce and will be delivered in partnership with the Department of Sport and Recreation which will offer State-wide training and support in implementing health and wellbeing programs.