Running head: WORKPLACE ASSESSMENT

Workplace Assessment
Chloe A. Ventura
EDP 310 - Professor Hesse
Arizona State University

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Workplace Assessment
Social Benefits
Some programs, like Healthy Arizona Worksites create social benefits in the
workplace. HAWP works to create linkages between Arizona businesses engaging in
healthy worksite efforts so they can learn from each other and share experiences
(Maricopa County Department of Public Health). Positive social interaction in these
programs can lead to motivation and commitment within the employees. They feel more
comfortable when they have resources and partners to work with in their efforts of
reaching positive wellness in the workplace.
Emotional Benefits
Emotional health is just as important as physical health. The World Health
Organization (WHO) reported depression as the leading cause of disability and fourth
leading contributor to the global burden of disease. Depression is a major public health
problem as it increases an individuals risk for a surplus of chronic health conditions.
Thus, a reduction in the prevalence and increased treatment for individuals with
depression has been included as a national public health objective in Healthy People 2020
(NCHPAD). Workplace wellness can help to prevent emotional diseases like depression.
Keeping up with emotional health is very important, as it connects with and can cause
further health issues.
Physical Benefits
According to Healthy Arizona Worksites, Evidence-based worksite wellness
initiatives have been shown to reduce costs associated with healthcare and absenteeism.
This is beneficial, not only because money is being saved, but because money is being

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saved due to the fact that workers arent getting as sick or having as many health related
absences. Healthy Arizona Worksites continues on to say that these programs have also
been linked to increase productivity as healthy employees have been shown to be more
productive.
Intellectual Benefits
The Healthy Arizona Worksites Program, as well as many other programs
provide employees with training opportunities, technical assistance, tools, and resources
to design, implement, and evaluate worksite wellness initiatives (Maricopa County
Department of Public Health, 2016). Studies have also shown that physical health and
wellness can lead to intellectual health. One example of this is a study that was done out
of the University of Illinois. Researchers found that the size of ones hippocampus was
correlated with physical fitness. The more physically fit the subjects were the larger their
hippocampus. The shrinking of the hippocampus occurs with age and affects cognitive
functioning, such as spatial memory and retention. Staying physically fit may be a way to
stave off some of the shrinkage (Fitbit, Inc., 2016).
Spiritual Benefits
Spiritual health goes hand in hand with emotional health. If one is spiritually well,
they are likely to be emotionally well. Wellness programs and wellness in the workplace
help to promote spiritual and emotional wellness.
Nutritional Benefits
There are so many nutritional benefits to wellness in the workplace. A big part of
wellness in the workplace is having proper nutrition. Nutrition is often the basis of
wellness inside and outside of the workplace. Individuals who dont have good nutrition

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are more likely to have more wellness issues and become sick more often. If the nutrition
in a workplace is good, then it will continue to lead to all of the previous listed benefits in
the workplace as well.
Workplace Reflection
Introduction
Wellness in the workplace is very important. I currently work in an elementary
school around hundreds of young children who get sick often. There are many employees
that are absent often due to the spreading of illness and poor nutrition/wellness due to
their busy schedules. Many teachers are so busy during the day that they may even skip
their lunch. Having a wellness program put into place I believe would be very beneficial
in our workplace.
Strategies for Change
There are a few different areas in which my workplace could make healthy and
active changes. There are currently no health or active programs or resources in our
school. Teaching is a full time job, and sometimes very unpredictable in the schedule.
This can lead to skipped lunches, limited exercise and poor nutrition/wellness in general.
Our company could create a nutritional program where staff can sign up to have special
lunches and breakfast delivered to the school at a very low cost. This cost may also be
included in their salary if possible. There may also be a physical wellness program
implemented into the school where teachers can have access to physical wellness
resources and materials. Workshops/trainings would also work well on a professional
development day for teachers. There are endless ideas and ways to incorporate these
ideas into the workplace.

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Strengths
Our school does currently provide wellness trainings to the staff, which is
wonderful. The only improvement that needs to be made is time given to teachers to
complete this training. Many teachers are so busy, and are also in masters programs and
they dont have time to complete these trainings outside of the work schedule. The school
may provide teachers with time during the school day to attend these trainings so that the
full benefit can be taken away from these programs. Another area in which our school
succeeds is by providing time and resources when asked. Our principle is a very
wonderful lady, and she is more than willing to help teachers when she is asked. If a
teacher wanted more resources or programs for wellness in the workplace, our principle
would do her best to help the teacher and make this happen. Our principle is very open to
new ideas and loves to promote a positive, healthy and happy workplace environment.
Leading Towards a Healthier Lifestyle
As mentioned above, our principle would be very willing to help lead our school
towards a healthier and active lifestyle. I could use this information that I have found to
present an idea for change to my principle. I would create a PowerPoint with the
necessary information included about the pros of having a healthy and active workplace
program. Almost all of the research I found was positive and could only lead to positive
lifestyles in our workplace. It is important that teachers stay happy and healthy and are
able to come to work everyday. This information and making these steps towards
implementing these programs will only help with this issue. I strongly believe that if I

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were to put together a presentation and find a great program for our workplace, my
principle would be on board with implementing it into our school for our staff.

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References

The NCHPAD. (n.d). Building Healthy and Inclusive Communities. Retrieved

from http://www.nchpad.org/Articles/7/Disability~Condition

Healthy and Active Worksites: A Public Initiative Healthy and Active Worksites (n.d)
Retrieved from http://healthyazworksites.org

Fitbit. (2014). 5 Ways Physical Health Impacts Mental Health. Retrieved from
http://fitstar.com/5-ways-physical-health-impacts-mental-health/