CWHP-P Reflection: Unit WHPP02

What a great unit! Gave me lots of things to consider about my recent experiences and how I would try a different approach if I had the opportunity. I worked with an employee wellness, health, and safety (EWHS) team for over 15 years. The EWHS program (OHS, occupational health nursing, ergonomics, disability management, EFAP) was one of two arms of our Human Resources division, with our labor relations department (recruitment/ retention, labor relations, pensions, and benefits) being the other arm. In 2018, we began a process of integrating these functions (along with our professional development and continuing education department) into the new department of People and Culture. The process was ongoing at the time of my retirement in 2021 and faced many challenges in its integration efforts.

What this unit helped confirm for me is that we were missing a piece of the puzzle; the role of Workplace Health and Performance Practitioner; a position to connect the dots, advocate, and facilitate, a holistic shared responsibility approach for a physically and psychologically safe, healthy, and high performing work culture. We lacked understanding and appreciation of our diverse roles and we failed at creating a shared vision that we could all work towards. For many years, we worked in silos, and in our case, the lines were not blurred, they were clearly drawn lines in the sand that prevented true collaboration and sometimes, a competition to achieve separate (sometimes hidden) agendas.

I think the time has come for organizations to look at their traditional approach to occupational health and safety, integrate a psychological health and safety strategy into their OHS system, and ensure that this fits in the human resources management plan. Then all of this ‘connects’ to tie into the organization’s larger strategic plan. A workplace wellness practitioner needs to be the ‘big picture’ thinker who maps out the connections, identifies all the pieces of the puzzle, and ensures they all fit together to create an inclusive, healthy, and high-performing workplace.

Onwards and upwards

Nancy