Promoting peer learning by sharing evidence-based best practices
By Katy Miller
It takes far more than increased productivity and a solid bottom line to be considered a top employer these days. Canadian organizations, regardless of size or type, must consider the whole employee experience to land at the top of the heap which means providing education, guidance, services or experiences that promote physical and mental well-being of those working for them.
The science says those organizations that take a holistic approach to managing employees are going to come out on top. It’s not just market share, profit margins and scaling the business that requires thought and attention nowadays. Organizations must take more responsibility for the overall well-being of those they hire on an ongoing basis.
As part of the continued vision towards a psychology healthier Canada, the Canadian Positive Psychology Association (CPPA) is launching its first Canadian Workplace Well-being Awards (CWWA) as a way to recognize programs that creatively nurture and support the mental health and well-being of employees across the country.
“We want to show the progression that organizations have made beyond simply the nutrition and fitness aspects of well-being. The pandemic has driven organizations to get creative around what they can offer to their employees and to bring them experiences they would not have had before,” said Wendy Parkes, CWWA Co-chair and CPPA board member, “and we want to celebrate that.”
Jennifer Card, who co-chairs the CWWA and sits on the CPPA board along with Parkes, says she would like to create a platform, through the awards, for knowledge translation and exchange.
“Even before the pandemic, organizations were undoubtedly operating really great programs and we know that the pandemic has taken it to a new level with well-being at the forefront for many, so we would like to be able to share these ideas and experiences and I believe the awards will help further that aim,” said Card.
The hope is that the CWWA program will spur innovation and grow year after year. CPPA Founder and President, Louisa Jewell states “we are excited about the award – it will not only provide a forum to get people talking about positive psychology, it will bring like-minded folks together which is really when magic happens.”
The winner will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony on November 4, 2021. If you are interested in applying or getting involved in any other way, please visit https://cppa.ca/cwwa2021/ for more information.
