Healthy Communities • Healthy Living
3 ways the Y supports a healthy workplace
01 October 2019 - by YMCA of Greater Toronto
Incorporating a group walk or run in the day is one of the many ways our staff members at the Y are building healthy habits and lifestyles.
In honour of Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month, we’re reminding ourselves about the importance of building healthy habits in every aspect of our lives — not just at the gym. Here are some of the steps we’re taking at the Y to foster health and well-being among our team members.
What does “healthy” look like?
Health is one of those broad terms we all use, but may understand differently.
At the Y, we see health holistically: it isn’t just the absence of illness. Rather, health includes a person’s social, mental, and physical well-being. We strive to support each of these aspects of health in the communities we serve. But our volunteers and staff are members of those communities too. So, our health vision is also about creating a positive work culture where everyone can thrive.
“A healthy workplace is one in which employees are valued and appreciated for their whole selves,” says Erin Gorman, National Programs Manager. “It’s a place where staff can feel connected and a sense of collective purpose towards the organizational mission and vision.”
“It is a safe space where people are encouraged to be the best version of themselves,” says Aloha Cruz, Coordinator, Volunteer Partnership Support. “The YMCA is a healthy workplace because it provides us with resources such as EAP, supports diversity and social inclusion, and provides opportunities for staff to connect with one another.”
To bring these kinds of workplaces to life, we’ve invested in several supports and opportunities for our team members:
1. Social support and connectedness
Social well-being flourishes when people feel a sense of belonging and inclusion — when they’re part of a positive social system and feel safe to be their authentic selves. Here are just a handful of examples that show how we’re building connections at the Y:
2. Learning and career development
Providing meaningful work and career development opportunities also helps create an engaging and healthy workplace. Here are a few ways we’re supporting staff learning and career development:
3. Workplace policies and benefits
Sustaining a healthy Y also means making sure our staff feel supported through benefits, family-friendly policies, and leaves of absences. That’s why we offer additional days off — on top of vacation days — to help our full-time staff navigate family and personal responsibilities.
“I am grateful to have family responsibility days,” says Naureen Islam, Manager, Newcomer Youth Settlement Programs. “These days off helped me to manage the health and well-being of my loved one during a challenging time. It felt reassuring to know I had the support of my employer.”
We also focus on preventative, long-term supports that allow our staff to take a proactive approach to their personal health. Through our health benefits plan, staff access a wide array of health resources, including free fitness memberships, health risk assessments, access to a wellness portal and a virtual nurse practitioner, counselling and digital therapy, and nutritional services.
While we’ve come a long way, we know there’s always more that can be done to shape healthy workplaces. We’re excited to help build a healthy future for our Y — one that helps our volunteers, staff, and communities reach their full potential.
Join a charity where you’re free to be yourself, and encouraged to create that feeling of belonging for your whole community. Check out the current employment opportunities at the YMCA of Greater Toronto.
In honour of Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month, we’re reminding ourselves about the importance of building healthy habits in every aspect of our lives — not just at the gym. Here are some of the steps we’re taking at the Y to foster health and well-being among our team members.
What does “healthy” look like?
Health is one of those broad terms we all use, but may understand differently.
At the Y, we see health holistically: it isn’t just the absence of illness. Rather, health includes a person’s social, mental, and physical well-being. We strive to support each of these aspects of health in the communities we serve. But our volunteers and staff are members of those communities too. So, our health vision is also about creating a positive work culture where everyone can thrive.
“A healthy workplace is one in which employees are valued and appreciated for their whole selves,” says Erin Gorman, National Programs Manager. “It’s a place where staff can feel connected and a sense of collective purpose towards the organizational mission and vision.”
“It is a safe space where people are encouraged to be the best version of themselves,” says Aloha Cruz, Coordinator, Volunteer Partnership Support. “The YMCA is a healthy workplace because it provides us with resources such as EAP, supports diversity and social inclusion, and provides opportunities for staff to connect with one another.”
To bring these kinds of workplaces to life, we’ve invested in several supports and opportunities for our team members:
1. Social support and connectedness
Social well-being flourishes when people feel a sense of belonging and inclusion — when they’re part of a positive social system and feel safe to be their authentic selves. Here are just a handful of examples that show how we’re building connections at the Y:
- Various committees and working groups — including a Pride Committee, Black Experience Staff Advisory Committee, Mental Health Working Group, Indigenous Reconciliation Working Group and many others — encourage collaboration, learning, and shared decision making.
- National Volunteer Week, Staff Recognition, and Learning Celebration events provide an opportunity for shared appreciation and recognition.
- Peace Week, Sweat for Good Challenge, Kids Challenge and many other annual events encourage staff involvement and giving.
- Staff connect through in-office wellness activities including sports, yoga, stair climbing, dancing, mindfulness sessions, and healthy smoothie pop-ups, just to name a few.
2. Learning and career development
Providing meaningful work and career development opportunities also helps create an engaging and healthy workplace. Here are a few ways we’re supporting staff learning and career development:
- Learning scholarships, international opportunities, and conferences offer continuous skill-building and knowledge-sharing opportunities.
- A formalized career development program, career development coaching workshops for leaders, and career development services equip staff for long-term success.
- New staff orientation sessions and supervisory and staff training develop strong leaders.
3. Workplace policies and benefits
Sustaining a healthy Y also means making sure our staff feel supported through benefits, family-friendly policies, and leaves of absences. That’s why we offer additional days off — on top of vacation days — to help our full-time staff navigate family and personal responsibilities.
“I am grateful to have family responsibility days,” says Naureen Islam, Manager, Newcomer Youth Settlement Programs. “These days off helped me to manage the health and well-being of my loved one during a challenging time. It felt reassuring to know I had the support of my employer.”
We also focus on preventative, long-term supports that allow our staff to take a proactive approach to their personal health. Through our health benefits plan, staff access a wide array of health resources, including free fitness memberships, health risk assessments, access to a wellness portal and a virtual nurse practitioner, counselling and digital therapy, and nutritional services.
While we’ve come a long way, we know there’s always more that can be done to shape healthy workplaces. We’re excited to help build a healthy future for our Y — one that helps our volunteers, staff, and communities reach their full potential.
Join a charity where you’re free to be yourself, and encouraged to create that feeling of belonging for your whole community. Check out the current employment opportunities at the YMCA of Greater Toronto.
