The critical success factors are essential for a successful and sustainable program. These need to be in place so you can implement an effective workplace health and wellbeing strategy.1

1. Leadership commitment

  • All levels of authority promote and participate in the program.
  • A program action plan is developed and endorsed.
  • Accountability is built into the program structure.
  • Potential barriers to participation are removed.

2. Employee engagement and consultation

  • Employees are actively involved in decisions affecting their health and safety.
  • Employees are involved in program planning and problem solving.
  • Equitable access is available, regardless of health status or role in the workplace.
  • Work and non-work related factors that determine an individual’s health are recognised.
  • Workplace champions are acknowledged.

3. Resources

  • Dedicated resources are available to achieve the proposed program outcomes.
  • Qualified and credible external service providers are employed.
  • Equal access is available to all people.
  • Incentives and rewards are aligned to participation and effort.

4. Tailored approach

  • Workplace priorities are identified through a needs assessment.
  • The program is matched to specific industry, workplace and worker needs.
  • The program design and delivery is flexible.

5. Systems integration

  • The health and wellbeing program is evident in organisational plans and day-to-day workplace practices.
  • The program is attached to work health and safety systems and approaches, disability support practices, and employee assistance programs.
  • Program governance is provided through the organisation’s leaders and communicated widely.

6. Mix of individual, environmental and organisational strategies

  • Strategies and programs are evidence informed.
  • There is a well-designed and resourced physical work environment.
  • Information, education, and training programs and services are available.
  • The organisation promotes and protects people’s health, safety, and wellbeing through systems, policies, and practices for the workplace.

7. Communicate and promote

  • Workplace communication is regular.
  • Messages are relevant and delivered appropriately.
  • Program values and direction are communicated to the workplace.
  • Progress and outcomes are highly visible.

8. Sustainability

  • A long-term commitment is made to promote sustainability.
  • Quality improvement is promoted and aligned to work practices.
  • The program has a comprehensive design, with modest targets and initiatives that allow for scaling up of effective small initiatives.

9. Monitor and evaluate

  • Progress is measured against objectives and data is analysed against agreed criteria.
  • Program tracking and monitoring is attached to other business monitoring.
  • Data collection focuses on continual program improvement and feedback.

The Healthy Workplace Toolkit will help you to develop these critical success factors.

1 Department of Health and Ageing, Quality framework for the healthy workers initiative: principles for healthy workplaces, Department of Health and Ageing, 2011; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australia’s health 2012, AIHW, 2012, Australia’s health series no.13. Cat. no. AUS 156; Health and Productivity Institute of Australia (HAPIA), Best practice guidelines to workplace health in Australia, HAPIA, 2009; Public Sector Management Office, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Tasmanian Government, Healthy@Work Guidelines to implementing a health and wellbeing program, Tasmanian Government, 2011.