Spotlight on Spring

Spring is in the air! And the time is right to move. Walk to Work Day is on October 2nd but why do the walk on just one day? There's a whole range of health benefits that come from being more active, including better concentration, reduction of stress and better sleep patterns.

This stands you in good stead at work.  So this Spring, get the workplace moving. From encouraging a brown bag day where a group brings their lunch and walks to a picnic area, to getting a walking group together for some lunchtime power walks, it is a great idea to get employees involved and motivated to better their health.

What's the Buzz?

Diabetes Buzz day is on September 18th, aiming to raise funds for diabetes awareness and research. Since over 3 million Australians have or are at risk of diabetes, it is important to be aware of the disease.

Especially since the chances of contracting the disease can be reduced with some changes to a high-risk lifestyle.

And given that Type-2 diabetes is now occurring at an increasingly younger age, this has an impact on the workforce. The risk of heart disease, kidney disease, eye complications and ulcerations leading to amputation is greatly increased in diabetics. If steps are taken early though, the chances of being at risk of diabetes become much lower.

While some risk factors cannot be changes, such as genetics, some can. So what are the risk factors that can be changed?

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Following a healthy eating plan
• Doing regular physical activity and
• Having regular health checks

Target: Workplace Bullying

Bullying in the workplace can have serious effects on employee morale and can make employees feel upset, depressed and unsafe. WorkCover NSW has stated that
it is a serious occupational health and safety issue, leading to anxiety, depression and can even indirectly lead to physical injury.

Employees in any occupation may encounter workplace bullies. For example, studies have shown up to 80 per cent of nurses have experienced bullying in the workplace.

But what is bullying? Generally, bullying at work is regarded as repeated unreasonable behaviour, where the behaviours cause, or have the potential to cause harm.* Given that an employer has a duty of care to provide a healthy and safe workplace, including  the physical and psychological well-being of all employees, measures should be in place to deal with bullying and complaints of bullying.

WorkCover NSW provides a fact sheet on bullying and how to recognise it, while for a more entertaining and engaging read, the Healthworks Communication booklet can educate employees on how to identify a bully and promote communication within the workplace, reducing behaviours that may result in unintentional bullying behaviour.

*Einarsen et al., 2003; Workcover NSW, 2008; Worksafe Victoria, 2003
Sources: Beyond Bullying; Safety Culture

National Health Events

What's the Buzz indeed! Diabetes Buzz Day is coming up on the 18th of September, followed by Walk to Work Day on the 2nd of October. Then we have Mental Health Week and Nutrition week later on in October, followed of course, by Movember.

Have your say!

Thanks for your suggestions so far! Keep them coming, we'll be making changes to the e-NewsFlash all the time and we'd love to hear from you.
Talk to us!

The Last Word

Did You Know:
The average person takes 9,000 steps each day. In a lifetime that is 3.5 trips around the Earth.