Work-Life
Healthy Workplace Recognition
In 2005, HHS received the Healthy Hospital Innovator’s Award. The award was established to recognize OHA member organizations for their commitment to implementing a comprehensive and strategic approach to the development and sustainability of a healthy workplace. Activities highlighted in the HHS submission included; the introduction of the Kailo Program; the articulation of core values that demonstrate the importance that the organization places on the staff; and the establishment of educational programs that allow staff to achieve their full potential.
Recipients of the Healthy Hospital Innovator award receive national recognition and Level One recognition from the National Quality Institute’s Healthy Workplace Progressive Excellence Program (PEP). The NQI program is linked to the Canada Awards for Excellence Program (healthy workplace category) and is Canada’s most prestigious award for the development and sustainability of a healthy workplace.
In August of 2007, HHS applied for and subsequently received Level 2 PEP Certification. There are four levels in the National Quality Institutes PEP Program. Halton Healthcare Services intends to continue building upon our experience and will be seeking Level 3 certification in the future.
In 2006, HHS received notification from Richard Yerema, Editor of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, that we were included on the shortlist for the 2007 edition of Canada’s Top 100 Employers. Although, HHS was not published as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, it was an honour to be short-listed by an external agency from out of 1,500 applicants
Kailo: A model staff wellness program at HHS
Kailo is our wellness program for staff at HHS. Kailo has a decidedly holistic approach to staff wellness focusing on stress management, life satisfaction and work-life balance to help staff achieve optimum health. Kailo is based on a North American, award-winning hospital-based wellness program. We want our staff to be well in mind, body and spirit! There is something for everyone:
On-site counseling
Mini-massage in all departments
Reiki and therapeutic touch for nursing delivered to the units
Guest speakers with free lunch
Craft club
Movement classes
Fun team-building games for departments as part of “Kailo to Go”
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
Community celebrations, egg. “Death by Chocolate” Party on Valentine’s Day
Recognition treat baskets and mugs (“Kailo Muggings”)
Wellness library
Night-shift coffee cart
Good to Great Plan
Halton Healthcare established a Good to Great Plan in 2005 that encompassed customer service and quality of worklife. The program has resulted in a number of initiatives that have assisted employees. Employees received training on how to deal with upset customers/patients or distressed family members, and training on telephone skills. Fitness Centres were established on two sites. A Concerns/Complaint policy to ensure workplace concerns are addressed in a timely manner and a more comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP) were introduced. A new Employee Development System for performance management was created based on HHS values. Employees are recognized annually at a special Good to Great Week through events for all staff and individually. Beginning in 2007, staff could nominate others who they felt excelled at customer service and exemplified the values of HHS.
Fitness Centres
Milton District Hospital and Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital both have on-site fitness centres for the benefit of staff, physicians and volunteers (18 years and older). Once an orientation session has been completed, gym members are able to use the facilities free of charge 24 hours a day/7days a week at their convenience. Both facilities are well equipped with a variety of machines and exercise equipment as well as televisions, workout DVDs/videos and Radio/CD player. Funds have been reserved for the creation of a fitness centre at Georgetown Hospital for 2008/09.
Employee Assistance Program
Halton Healthcare Services offers a comprehensive employee assistance program (EAP) to all active employees and their dependants. Our provider is a Canadian pioneer in EAPs for over 25 years and has a worldwide network of counselors to provide prompt support. EAP services include professional counseling for you and your family members and specialized programs that focus on a range of work, family, and life issues.
Flexible Schedules
There are many different schedules within the Hospital and opportunities to work on a full time, part time, or casual basis. Non-union registered nurses on many units follow a self-scheduling model. The Hospital also has opportunities for registered nurses to work job shares or as weekend workers.
Ancillary Benefits
The Hospital provides discounted tickets to many of Ontario’s finest Theme Parks: African Lion Safari, Marineland, Ontario Place, Chinese Lantern Festival, Six Flags/Darien Lake, Wild Water Kingdom, and Canada’s Wonderland. The Hospital also provides discounted tickets to other events such as the spring and winter “One of a Kind Craft Show & Sale, Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club, and Boat Cruises from Toronto Harbour front.
The Hospital also sells Cineplex Odeon discounted theatre passes. Local retailers also provide discounts to staff such as Henry’s camera and the Brick who offer discounts several times a year. Other vendors come on site to provide special offers to our employees such as Rogers for their phones.
Sustainability
The Halton Healthcare Services’ Housekeeping Department has received a ‘Prestige Award’ in recognition of the recycling efforts at our hospitals. Metals, batteries, cans, bottles, cardboard, light bulbs, organic waste, paper, grease, food waste, paper, shredded waste, plastics, newspapers, are all part of the recycling programs at the Halton Healthcare hospitals and new initiatives are always being explored.
Our Food Services Department is gradually moving away from the use of Styrofoam containers in the cafeteria. Styrofoam will be replaced with paper cups for the water machine and plastic plates for those who are eating in the cafeteria. Other initiatives in our ongoing efforts to find more environmentally friendly packaging include plans to change over to paper French fry containers and paper pizza triangles.
New recycling units were introduced in the cafeteria in 2007 for the recycling of cans and bottles. This program has been very successful. In addition, food waste from patient trays and leftovers are put into a green bin for composting.
The Hospital also recycles paper in its effort to reduce waste.