Supporting Staff Well-being: Focusing on Balance, Civility, and Recognition
The Human Resource Services Department supports staff well-being in the following areas:
- Labour Management Meetings,
- Attendance Support Management,
- Employee and Family Assistance Plan,
- Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee,
- The implementation of a staff survey, every three years, and
- The annual Guarding Minds at Work Survey.
The purpose of the Guarding Minds at Work survey is to measure 13 psychosocial factors that impact staff wellness. Factors with the lowest ratings indicate where effort needs to be focused to improve the work environment for all staff. 2024-25 will see focus on work and life balance, civility in the workplace and staff recognition.
This work is conducted in collaboration with all employee groups through a Wellness at WCDSB Steering Committee. This committee meets three times annually.
The Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP) is offered through Homewood Health. This service is free and confidential to staff, their partners, and dependents up to the age of 25.
Some of the support services available include:
- Mental health counselling: online, over the phone, in person or virtual.
- Lifesmart coaching including nutrition counselling, legal advice, childcare solutions.
- Online self-paced cognitive behaviour program, and more.
These services are available to staff 24/7 and are free of charge.
Promoting Staff Wellness: Pickleball Sessions and Step Challenge Boost Health and Team Spirit
Staff wellness initiatives have been well supported, including the purchase of pickleball equipment at two of our five secondary schools. Staff have taken the lead in organizing evening pickleball sessions, which are open to all staff across the system and often operate at full capacity on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
Additionally, all school staff were invited to participate in the annual Staff School Step Challenge, held from February 7th to March 6th. This year, 24 schools participated, with Blessed Sacrament taking first place and earning $1,000 to spend on Phys. Ed. equipment for their students. St. Elizabeth, St. Michael, and Resurrection took second to fourth place, while John Sweeney won the participation draw.
These events showcase the incredible spirit, wellness, and dedication to health demonstrated by all participants!