Nabenet

WorkSafe Week will be held Monday 17 – Friday 21 October 2011.  WorkSafe will be providing seminars and activities throughout Victoria during this time but why don’t you offer your staff something different this year?

Nabenet and/or Nabenet Health can offer your organisation a variety of activity options including the following:

• educational seminars
• presentations
• healthy team breakfasts
• workplace expo
• panel discussions
• ergonomic assessments
• massage at work
• lunch ‘ n’ learn sessions
• stretchersize classes
• manual handling training

If you have something else in mind please do not hesitate to contact us as we have a team of highly qualified and experienced health professionals who can tailor a program for your organisation.  If you would like Nabenet or Nabenet Health to present at your workplace as part of WorkSafe Week please contact Katie Riches (katieriches@nabenet.com.au or 03 9981 9815).

As part of Nabenet’s Professional Development schedule, James Plunkett from Leading Teams presented to our team.  Leading Teams work with many elite sporting teams and corporate organisations across Australia and Europe.  Leading Teams is passionate about improving organisation performance by aligning teams and developing leaders.  They work to align teams by generating ownership of shared behaviours that empower all members of the team to engage in open, honest and constructive dialogue.  James shared his experiences working with high performing teams like Nabenet and discussed strategies and models of leadership.

To read more about Leading Teams please visit their website at www.leadingteams.net.au.

In the past two years, the incidence of pertussis in Victoria has increased dramatically, with 1,673 cases notified in 2008, 3,741 cases in 2009 and 6,736 cases in 2010. In 2010, 66 percent of cases were in adults.

Nabenet is able to provide pertussis vaccinations at your workplace now.  Please click here for further details.

Thousands of Victorian workers at risk of chronic disease are set to benefit from a pioneering new health coaching service from WorkSafe Victoria’s WorkHealth program.  From 1 March, workers found to be at risk of type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease during their WorkHealth Check will be supported to enroll in a rage of free lifestyle programs to improve their health.  Under WorkHealth Coach, workers will receive:

• Telephone support:Workers receive a phone call from a qualified health coach to discuss their WorkHealth check results.  Based on their level of risk, workers will be enrolled in one of a range of free programs including phone-based coaching, face-to-face groups or email support.
• Ongoing health coaching:Workers at medium risk of type 2 diabetes or medium to high risk of cardiovascular disease will be eligible to continue on with their WorkHealth Coach to receive regular phone-based coaching for up to six months.

WorkHealth Coach is the first statewide program in Australia to assist workers at risk of cardiovascular disease (which includes stroke and heart disease) to improve their lifestyles and long-term health.

As an Endorsed Service Provider for WorkHealth, Nabenet Health is able to provide your organisation with WorkHealth Checks.  Please contact Katie Riches (03 9981 9888 of katieriches@nabenet.com.au) for further information.

February’s BRW Magazine includes an article which discusses the increase of women developing lifestyle diseases which are typically associated with men.  This is a result of a disturbing trend that career-focused women are delaying medical check ups which would usually pick up early warning signs.  Doctor John Cummins states that women need to realize they are not invulnerable to these types of conditions and that heart disease and stroke do not occur out of the blue, they are usually a result of a lead up of high cholesterol and blood pressure which can both be prevented.  The important message is for career focused women to take the time for regular check ups.  To view the article in full please click here.

On Sunday 20th February Nabenet competed in the Melbourne BRW triathlon.  This event has over 5,000 competitors making it the largest triathlon in the southern hemisphere.  This is the secodn year that Nabenet has entered into the triathlon and despite the challenging weather conditions it was a great day.  The swim leg was cancelled due to poor water conditions as a result of the recent heavy rainfall in Melbourne and was replaced with a 400 metre run along the sand.  Nabenet had five teams who all did a great job.  The swim training in the lead up was enjoyed by all involved and is likely to continue throughout the year.  Taking part in group fitness events, such as the BRW triathlon, is a great way to build team morale and ensure your staff are fit and healthy.  If you would like to discuss health and wellbeing

Over 200,000 WorkHealth Checks have been completed in Victoria as part of the WorkHealth Initiative, which launched in August 2009.  An article published in the Herald Sun (Wednesday 17 November 2010) reveals results from data collected to date.  The data reveals 40% of women tested are drinking alcohol at risky levels compared to 26% of males.  There are several concerning statistics to come out of this study including 70% of workers are reporting inadequate exercise, 32% of males were found to have high blood pressure and 2,011 workers were recommended to consult their GP within 24 hours due to extremely poor health.  If you would like to view the article please click here.

Nabenet Health is an Endorsed Service Provider for the WorkHealth Initiative.  If your organisation would like to participate in the program please contact Katie Riches (03 9819 2377 or katieriches@nabenet.com.au).

An article published in the October Return to Work Matters Newsletter titled ‘Which way to workplace health?’ discusses the current focus on health in the workplace.  The article discusses the Government’s involvement in health at the workplace across Australia in regards to the Healthy Worker Initiative.  The Healthy Worker Initiative focuses on preventative health and addressing the “SNAP” risk factors for chronic illness (smoking, nutrition, alcohol and physical activity).  The article discusses the contrasting views on the place of health in the workplace from unions, businesses and the government.  If you would like to view the article in full please click here.

October is Walktober and your organisation can join in by participating in the Walktober Workplace Challenge, which runs from Monday 25 to Friday 29 October 2010.  It’s a simple way for businesses to promote better health at work and a great way for busy people to get more active during the day. 

The challenge is simple – form a team with your work colleagues and try to fit in as many walks as you can during the week.  For example, incorporate a walk into your journey to and from work, take a walk at lunchtime, walk to a meeting, get off a stop early and walk the rest of the way, or even schedule a ‘walking meeting’.  Log your walks online and let the challenge begin!

Please click here to view the flyer or visit www.walktober.com.au for more information.

Founder and Chief Executive of Flight Centre, Graham Turner, actively cares for the health and wellbeing of his staff through the company’s health program, which encourages a healthy workplace and provides staff with the tools for a healthy lifestyle.  A team of 10 to 15 health specialists are employed to care for the 6500 Flight Centre staff across Australia.  Each employee is given a free health and fitness assessment twice a year, which includes a suggested daily exercise routine and nutritional advice.  Trainers then organise appointments to meet with staff at their workplace to help them out with their fitness program.

Flight Centre has had great success with their health program, with almost all employees taking part.  Staff members have reported improved concentration and productivity after getting out and exercising during lunch breaks.  Employees have also commented on fitness benefits and enhanced social interaction with colleagues, which can also lead to a better working environment.

Turner believes that fit staff, who are satisfied with their exercise and nutrition regime, will be more valuable to the organisation.  Not only does the company’s health program make staff happier, Turner believes in a positive correlation between fit and healthy staff and a company’s financial results.  It’s not just about looking after the people, but also about looking after the company.

Nabenet Health offers a range of workplace health services to help get your company on track to a healthier, more productive working environment.  Please contact Katie Riches (03 9819 2377 or katieriches@nabenet.com.au) for more information.