Work Healthy - info and links
Work Healthy
Physical and Mental Health
Mental health issues are likely to affect your workplace at some point – if they haven't already. This makes it important to develop both an awareness and sensitivity around mental and physical illness. Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation, and Code set minimum standards for health, safety, and wellness in Alberta's workplaces. Employers and workers need to know these rules.
Other resources:
Video Link: What is mental illness and why should we care?
Video Link: The impact of mental illness in the workplace
Tip Sheet: Living with Chronic Illness
Tip Sheet: Stress and Sleep
Tip Sheet: Conflict Management Skills
Infectious Disease
The need to practice due diligence and take precautions in preventing the spread of infectious diseases through personal and social protocols that emphasize hygienic habits is ongoing. An organization must have a business continuity plan to address situations that arise during an emergency situation. Employers should consider several support options under their best business practices:
- modified benefit plans or special benefits for employees who become sick or have to miss work to tend to family
- employer endorsed and implemented work-at-home options
- communication and meeting back-up plans
- modified business plans to include only critical or vital services
- resource allocation plans to assist other associated organizations
It's not just up to one person or organization - a system of healthy, prepared communities can continue to operate with planning and cooperation during any emergency situation.
The AFREA prepared several business options under the former Disaster Management Plan in 2009 during the H1N1 pandemic. Business options and emergency back-up plans were put in place to allow for continued business should the AFREA be impacted by an outbreak. But business was not the only concern. The AFREA considered the health & safety of human resources, too. Work-at-home options, alternate meeting places, and emergency protocol were written into AFREA Board Governance and HR policies and procedures.
In 2020, the planning was tested with the COVID-19 pandemic. The AFREA was able to continue business through work-at-home applications for staff, remote tele- and video-conferencing for meetings, etc.
2020 - 2022 - Upon returning to the workplace when provincial mandates allowed, precautions were taken to ensure the health & safety of all personnel entering the workplace premises. Personal protective supplies were provided, such as disinfectant wipes, masks, and temperature testing. Because AFREA staff have their own office space, social distancing was easily maintained. Visitors to the workplace premises were, at one point, not allowed.
June 2022 - two years later and, although the immediate precautions are reduced, the information we used, implemented, and tested form the basis of improving emergency plans through policy and procedure revision. We might not ever see the end of this threat, but the AFREA is prepared with a concise Business Continuity Management Plan.
Historical
May 2011 - Currently there are no pandemics or infectious outbreaks affecting us in this part of the world. The following posts are continued here for your information purposes.
Employer information on planning HR policies and procedures following minimum standards and O H & S codes in Alberta
Additional employer information for planning - H1N1 - 8 steps to mitigate the threat
FluWatch Site posted by the Public Health Agency of Canada provides information for medical personnel and anyone interested in watching the stats. Click here for site.
For Health and News Releases from Alberta Health Services, click here
Alberta Health Services WEB SITE has all the current and up to date health information you need.
Click on the Health Link logo.
Trusted answers from The Hospital for Sick Children
check out their web site HERE - get answers for your kid's sake.
For further information from the World Health Organization (WHO) click here - their web site provides worldwide activity on all health concerns at a global level.
Other Health Information Links and Web Sites:
Government of Alberta - Health & Wellness click here
Health Canada - click here
