Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces

1 Week to Go Until Applications for 8th Global Healthy Workplace Awards Close

Posted on by Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces

2020-global-healthy-workplace-awards-application-apply-now-august

Sharing best practice in the workplace has never been more important!

Application entries for the 8th Global Healthy Workplace Awards 2020 close in 7 days! The Global Awards are hosted by the Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces (GCHW) with American University as Global Healthy Workplace Summit hosting partner. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), Large Enterprises, and Multi-national enterprises are once again invited to apply to become recognised as the world’s best employer for occupational safety, health and wellness.

The Global Healthy Workplace Awards are assessed by a panel of experts and enable employers to benchmark their programs to the global standard and, if successful, to celebrate their outstanding achievement in promoting a safe and healthy work environment complementary to the business performance of the organisation. Applications are open to ALL employer organisations (for profit and not-for-profit, local and international).

Application Deadline: 10th August 2020 (Finalists announcement in early September 2020)

For more information and to apply visit: https://www.globalhealthyworkplace.org/awards/application/

​Apply here to have your company certified to a global standard – all certified organisations are automatically shortlisted for the Global Awards.

Two finalists per category will be invited to present their program at the forthcoming: 8th Global Healthy Workplace Awards & Summit between 18th – 20th November 2020.

The 2020 summit will be hosted in partnership with American University in the USA capital Washington, D.C. between 18th November – 20th November 2020. The event will bring together leaders in global health and wellness who seek to create a healthier and more productive working experience for all employers and employees.

Global Summit Key Themes:

  • Business continuity and risk management for global pandemic threats
  • Innovative business strategies for mental health
  • Connecting purpose-driven business and wellness
  • Awards Finalist Presentations

The 8th Global Summit will be preceded by a Capacity Building Seminar on “How to Create a Healthy Workplace” on 18th November 2020.

For more information visit: https://www.globalhealthyworkplace.org/event/8th-global-healthy-workplace-summit-washington-dc-2020/

Important Notice: Due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, we are delaying receipt of bookings for the Summit to a date nearer the time. We are monitoring the situation closely and will provide regular updates on the Summit.

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How Do We Learn from Good Practices?

Posted on by Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces

conference room workplace

The coronavirus continues to wreak havoc in many countries with varying intensity and timing. Companies are trying their best to keep business running and their employees healthy and productive. However, the process is not easy as major challenges remain for employers:

  • How can we return employees to the workplace while keeping them safe and healthy?
  • Should we keep more employees working from home permanently?
  • Do we know how our employees are faring mentally? And are we offering the right wellbeing resources?

While some countries are reluctant to learn from other countries which are more successful in containing the virus the corporate world continues to network and benchmark each other on a regular basis. In particular, corporate medical and occupational health professionals as well as HR managers are active globally, talking to each other, exchanging information on the latest research, tools, resources and approaches. This represents a strength and helps companies advance their business goals and strategies. But how do we know what reflects a “good practice” and if it will work in our environment? We do not know for sure until tested and tried in the given company, however, if a specific approach has succeeded in various settings and countries it is more likely to work for you. An external validation of an approach, strategy or tool is provided via evaluation by subject matter experts or authorities.

The Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces has been gathering global good practice data for eight years from employers of different sizes and sectors through the Global Healthy Workplace Awards. A panel of five distinguished judges evaluates the applications each year based on the Healthy Workplace framework. The deadline for this year’s awards is August 10. See www.globalhealthyworkplace.org/awards/application for more information.

Keep in mind, companies with comprehensive and sustainable health strategies are better prepared to address any unforeseen disease challenges and will generate better business outcomes.

Webinar Summary: Advancing Mental Wellbeing During & Post COVID-19 with a Holistic Strategy

Posted on by Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces

June 23 webinar summary

A number of surveys in different countries have documented the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on mental health including the increase of anxiety and depression. Employers worldwide are scrambling to address the mental health challenge with increased communications and online resources. The webinar featured three leading companies from different sectors and countries who have been at the forefront of implementing comprehensive mental wellbeing programs:

Hospital Albert Einstein
The hospital in São Paulo, Brazil found approximately 36% of their employees had a mental health complaint related to the Coronavirus pandemic and implemented a prevention and treatment program addressing the various stages of mental health. This includes digital videos and podcasts, talk wheels, hotline, brief psychotherapy sessions and trainings, all of which have seen high participation.

View Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Brazil presentation

Novo Nordisk
The Danish pharmaceutical company believes it is the responsibility of an employer to manage stress and psychosocial risks at the workplace and a well-designed psychosocial work environment is requisite for employee performance. In the current crisis Novo Nordisk made it a priority to provide guidance and tools for managers who lead employees working remotely. Three leadership priorities were identified: mapping and addressing mental health issues, aligning expectations and promoting engagement and wellbeing in the team.

View Novo Nordisk, Denmark presentation

IBM
Insights from IBM’s digital resilience program indicated heightened mental and emotional risks during COVID-19. Numerous channels and blogs were launched to address the stigma and openly discuss mental health issues, e.g. dealing with uncertainty, taking care of mental health during the crisis, financial health, sleep issues, contending with isolation, confinement, conflict at home and parenting. A positive outcome was that 88% reported they know how to access IBM resources to support their emotional and mental well-being.

View IBM, USA presentation

We would like to thank our distinguished speakers:

  • Luiz Gustavo Vala Zoldan, Psychiatrist, Hospital Albert Einstein
  • Nadia El-Salanti, Organizational Psychologist, Principal Scientist, Novo Nordisk
  • Jonathan Gelfand, Global Well-being and Health Promotion Manager, IBM

The Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces will continue to gather and highlight effective approaches to advancing mental wellbeing. For more mental wellbeing and COVID-19 resources visit our Coronavirus COVID-19 Resource Hub.

 

Advancing Mental Wellbeing During & Post COVID-19 with a Holistic Strategy Webinar

Posted on by Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces

Mental Wellbeing Holistic Strategy Webinar

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

8am Los Angeles / 11am Washington, DC / 4pm London / 5pm Hamburg / 7pm Dubai / 8:30pm Mumbai

Duration: 60 minutes

A number of surveys in different countries have documented the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on mental health including the increase of anxiety and depression. Employers worldwide are scrambling to address the mental health challenge with increased communications and online resources. But how effective are these approaches and is a comprehensive strategy in place?

This webinar will highlight the mental wellbeing strategies and perspectives towards the new working world of the following three companies:

Novo Nordisk: Nadia El-Salanti, Denmark

IBM: Jonathan Gelfand, USA

Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Brazil

Outline

1. What is the impact of the crisis on mental wellbeing?

2. How have you reacted or what have you put in place to address mental wellbeing?

3. How do you see the “new working world” – will it be better or worse for mental wellbeing?

Join this webinar hosted by the Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces and register your free ticket on eventbrite. Places are limited so book now.

Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/advancing-mental-wellbeing-during-post-covid-19-with-a-holistic-strategy-registration-109290230020

June 4th Webinar Summary: COVID-19 Workplace Strategies & Guidance, Middle East & Asia-Pacific

Posted on by Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces

Workplace Strategies and Guidance in Times of COVID-19 in the Middle East & Asia-Pacific Region

Leading multinational employers and national health agencies from the Middle East and Asia-Pacific region shared how the COVID-19 crisis has affected their country and organization and discussed strategies on getting employees back to the workplace safely.

Here are the highlights:

Japan
Despite high population density and age, early exposure to the virus and moderate social distancing measures Japan has had low infection and low death from COVID19. One of the main current challenges for employees is stress from telework and mental health. A key predictor for success against the spread of infectious disease is organizational and employee health literacy.

India
An early lockdown strategy has prevented an explosion of cases and deaths in the second most populous country in the world. Social stigma of infection remains as a large section of people are scared of detection of positive cases in family or community. Hero Motocorp has reopened manufacturing units for employees who are physically required to be onsite with temperature screening and contact tracing with internal as well as community-based apps. Unilever has adopted gating criteria using a four tier system involving internal and external health indicators as well as market indicators related to public transportation and social gathering.

Singapore
Singapore just started phase I of reopening during which approximately 75% of the economy will resume operations (shops are staying closed). This entails an aggressive focus on testing and contact tracing. A move into the second phase is expected in a few weeks if community transmission rates remain low and stable and the dormitory situation remains under control. The anticipated post-COVID “new normal” will require 50% of the workforce telecommuting from home for the time being.

United Arab Emirates
The holy month of Ramadan recently ended, which typically is a time of heavy social activity and family visits, but during COVID19 featured virtual iftars and prayers from home. The UAE will allow half of government employees to return to the office, up from 35% last week, with ongoing safety measures such as distancing, mandatory masks, temperature screening and tracing via a government app. Private sector employers are bringing employees back to work, many at a slower pace like telecommunications company du.

We would like to thank our distinguished speakers:

  • Hiroshi Fukuda, Professor, Juntendo University & Chair, SANPO Society | View Presentation
  • Rajgopal Thirumalai, Corporate Medical Director, Unilever | View Presentation
  • Simon Lim, Director, Workplace Health & Outreach Division, Health Promotion Board Singapore
  • Mansoor Habib, Head of Happiness & Tolerance, Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du)
  • Shriniket Mishra, Chief Medical Officer, Hero Motocorp | View Presentation

Additional materials:

COVID‑19: Epidemiology and Public Health Aspects article in the Indian Journal of Community Medicine by Rajgopal Thirumalai | View Article

A New Horizon for Occupational Health: APEC White Paper on Workplace Mental Health and Safety | View White Paper

The Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces will continue to gather and highlight primary international resources and is currently working with global leaders to generate good practice on return to work.

For more return to work and COVID-19 resources visit www.globalhealthyworkplace.org/news-media/coronavirus-covid-19-resource-hub.