Community-based disability support provider ConneXu is prioritising health and wellbeing as an employer, introducing a range of initiatives within the workplace to empower their team to take steps towards healthier lifestyles.
Partnering with WorkWell for the past two years, ConneXu has been working through their WorkWell accreditation, achieving Bronze Accreditation in 2022 and Silver in 2023. They’ve now got their eye on Gold.
The organisation’s Health and Wellbeing initiatives focus on five priority areas: physical activity; healthy eating; mental health and wellbeing; smokefree; and immunisation and infection control.
Looking at healthy eating, the aim has been to build awareness around healthy eating options and the benefits of making healthier choices. ConneXu has been updating their healthy eating policy and modifying office catering to include healthier options. Team fruit bowls have been added to break rooms and healthy recipe sharing has been enabled on team platforms like the staff app and intranet. Healthy food choices have been promoted through education as well.
Focusing on mental health and wellbeing, a new Employee Assistance Programme ‘ClearHead’ has been introduced which provides access to information and support to team members in the form of counselling sessions and other useful mindfulness tools. New internal performance management tools have also been introduced to improve communication and increase instances of constructive feedback being provided in the workplace. E-learning modules and awareness initiatives underpin the mental health and wellbeing programme.
In terms of having a smokefree workforce, ConneXu is providing education opportunities around smokefree including promotion of smokefree material in common spaces. Smoking cessation support for individual employees is also offered and promoted.
Infection control and immunisation is the final focus area of the programme. ConneXu has partnered with local pharmacies in each region to offer flu vaccinations and vitamins to employees. Education and awareness resources support these initiatives to highlight what is available to employees and best practices around infection prevention and control.
A team survey identified a decrease in physical activity since the Covid lockdowns, so ConneXu has introduced an optional team bootcamp, established walking groups and enabled physical activity days throughout the year including entering a team into the Round the Bridges team fun walk/fun run.
ConneXu employee Helen Irwin has been a keen participant in the programme and led the organisation of the Round the Bridges Team.
“It has been great to see some of the positive changes being implemented at work, like the healthier morning teas and free fruit bowls,” says Helen.
“I’ve also gotten to know new team members who have participated in various things like Round the Bridges, and I think that has helped to build the culture at work. I’m looking forward to seeing where we go next.”
