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Homewood Health Centre

When a Canadian health care organization has been in operation since 1883, you know they must be doing something right! Such is the case for the Homewood Health Centre of Guelph, Ontario. Since the beginning the Homewood name has been synonymous with the effective and innovative treatment of mental health and addictions.

Today, Homewood is not only recognized as a leading provider of care to those with mental health and addiction problems, but also as a source for employers to ensure their workforce stays healthy.

Homewood's reputation for leading by example starts internally at the top. The CEO & President, Dr. Edgardo Pérez, is actively involved in the organization's Healthy Workplace Committee, which includes representation from all areas of the health care centre, and staff look to senior managers and executive for leadership.

"Our Healthy Workplace Policy states that 'health is everyone's responsibility'," says Dr. Pérez. "This includes leadership, managers and employees."

"We recognize that there are many factors at home and at work that can contribute to ill-health," he explains. "It's our duty as a responsible employer to work with staff to act against the preventable causes of ill-health and to play a part in providing a supportive, safe and healthy work environment."

To help frame its approach to QWL, Homewood identified the following core values as the basic precepts about what's important in both business and life:

Integrity;
Fairness and equality;
Recognition of the individual;
Leadership by example;
Stewardship; and
Corporate responsibility.

"We believe in relationships, teamwork, communication, excellence in practice, continuous improvement and managing our resources," furthers Dr. Pérez.

For more than 10 years, Homewood has formally backed up their beliefs by implementing a systematic review of its workplace health for employees based on benchmark criteria.

Workplace health research and data from QWL experts are used to formulate healthy workplace programs and services. The Centre for Organizational Health at Homewood has also been instrumental in providing research data to support and guide healthy workplace initiatives.

A primary indicator in evaluating job satisfaction and organizational culture is Homewood's Making a Difference Survey. Conducted every two years since 1993 and most recently in 2007, the survey is distributed to all employees in the organization and gauges employees' preferences around social culture and job satisfaction and how to enhance it.

The resulting data is very useful to the Healthy Workplace Committee, helping to confirm initiatives that are making a difference in providing education, encouragement and motivation, as well as providing perspective on QWL initiatives for the future.

Homewood also conducted a Spirituality Survey, which gathered data on the spiritual needs of employees and resulted in the addition of 'spiritual well-being' as an official element of its Healthy Workplace Plan.

Hospital-wide indicators are reviewed quarterly and include more traditional measures of workplace health such as attendance and employee turnover, along with WSIB reports, incidents and grievances. Use of Employee Assistance Program services and employee benefits also help guide decision-making regarding appropriate QWL approaches.

Several of Homewood's programs that focus on employee health and well-being have been in place for many years as key elements of a health workplace.

Interestingly enough, it seems 'what's good for the goose' has often proven 'good for the gander' when it comes to optimal health. "As a health care facility, many of our health practices are transferable from our patients to our employees and vice-versa," observes Dr. Pérez.

The following is an overview of the range of elements that help foster a healthy environment for Homewood's employees, volunteers and clients:

Non-Smoking Environment

Optimal Nutrition

Physical & Mental Health

Recreation & Fitness

Social Events

Lunch & Learn Sessions

Staff & Volunteer Recognition

Employee-Led Work Solutions

Natural Setting

With such a plethora of programs and services dedicated to balancing employee needs, organizational productivity and job satisfaction, it's no wonder the National Quality Institute bestowed a prestigious Canada Award of Excellence Healthy Workplace Award to Homewood.

While Homewood's commitment to caring, both for its clients and its employees, began more than 120 years ago, it's clear the organization is set to maintain its reputation for leadership in Canadian health services for generations to come.

For more information on how Homewood can help employers, individuals, investors or seniors, please visit www.Homewood.org.