Devonport City Council is tackling climate change and promoting a healthier workplace through an employee driven program.
Located on the Mersey River on the northwest Coast of Tasmania, the City of Devonport is well known for its reserves and recreational facilities.
From the kilometres of walking and cycling tracks, to the many beautiful beaches, a river suitable for various water sports, great fishing spots and numerous parklands, the city really does encourage an active and family friendly lifestyle.
Launched in 2009, Council’s Health and Wellbeing Program is unique as it was developed in conjunction with staff and management, as well as local high school students.
As part of the Reece High School Careers in Local Government Program, students completed a Workplace Health and Well Being Audit of Council, and the results were concerning.
Statistics specifically relating to sick leave taken per employee, workers compensation performance and the average age of employees all suggested that a greater employer driven focus was needed to improve the general health and physical activity of employees.
The students conducted a survey of all staff and used the findings to recommend a number of workplace initiatives. These were presented to Council’s Joint Consultative Committee, and the Devonport City Council Health and Wellbeing Program was then developed.
Executive Manager Corporate Support Shane Crawford said many of the initiatives were employee initiated.
“Council has provided employees with the opportunity to develop a program from an initial concept into a very well researched and documented program,” he said.
“Similarly, as the program was developed by employees, it has given ownership to employees, which has contributed to the interest and success of the initial concept.”
He said that through the program, Council aims to build its reputation as an employer focused on the health and wellbeing of its employees.
“Ultimately, we will benefit from improved retention, increased productivity and engagement of high quality employees that want to work in an environment that is interested in their health and wellbeing,” Shane Crawford said. “In addition, we want to be regarded as an Employer of Choice.
“Council appreciates that jobs today are significantly less physical than in the past, and employees often sit for long periods of time in front of computers.
“People are often working long hours in mentally and physically demanding positions and many employees have limited leisure time during the working week.
“The Health and Wellbeing Program identifies a number of initiatives to encourage and facilitate active lifestyles.”
One of the initiatives introduced under the program is a Workplace Bike Program.
Council has acquired two bicycles and associated accessories for staff to use to carry out work related activities, such as technical inspections, field work, site visits, attend meetings, run errands and other work related business when appropriate.
The bikes are also available and encouraged to be used for personal use, whether this is in lunch breaks, or before or after work.
Participating staff must undertake a safety induction and basic riding skills test.
With the program introduced in February, Council’s Assets and GIS Officer Marcus Lee said ten employees have already registered as members of the program.
“Between February and August 2010, the bikes were used to make 99 trips – 71 purely for work purposes, and the rest for either a combination of work and private trips, or private trips alone.
“The total distance travelled between all of the trips was 727 kilometres.
“A number of people in the community have commented that it is impressive that Council is providing sustainable and environmentally friendly transport options for its employees and promoting health and wellbeing in the workplace.”
As a central focus of the overall program, the cycling and associated walking program aims to:
- promote healthy lifestyles
and enable staff to be more
active at work - provide quick, convenient
and efficient transport for
work related trips - save on fuel and other
motor vehicle running
costs - reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, road congestion
and pollution - demonstrate to the
community that Council
is serious about sustainable
transport and reducing its
carbon footprint - provide leadership to the
community on the
importance of being active
and looking for alternate
options to using a motor
vehicle.
Other activities and initiatives introduced in the first year of the health and wellbeing program include:
- a boot camp available to
both residents and staff - lunch time walking
programs - blood donation
- discounted rates for
employees at the local pool
and gym - skin checks and general
cancer awareness sessions - quit smoking support
- nutrition competitions
encouraging staff members
to share healthy recipes
and educate employees on
the advantages of a healthy
diet - the Pitstop Program, which
is a health check
for employees, offering
information and referrals
where appropriate.
Shane Crawford said Council will monitor, analyse and report statistics on the Health and Wellbeing Program to the Executive Management Team and the Joint Consultative Committee.
“Consistent monitoring and review of any program allows opportunity to improve the program and look at the benefits and learnings more closely,” he said.
