Fostering wellness
Creating a supportive and healthy work environment for youth with disabilities, as well as all other employees, is essential for the well-being of your workforce and the overall success of your organization. This section explores the various dimensions of wellness and provides practical strategies and resources to help you foster a holistic culture of wellness and address mental health effectively.
Why this matters
“
The largest barrier I face to employment is my struggle with extreme anxiety and my employer not understanding how debilitating it can be.”
Employment Strategy for Youth with Disabilities youth survey respondent
Mental health and well-being are widely talked about, and youth are seeking employers who foster supportive, inclusive environments. This is especially vital for youth with disabilities, as mental health challenges are at their highest among today’s youth. Prioritizing wellness can lead to a more inclusive workplace culture and support all employees in contributing their best.
What is wellness?
Understanding the difference between well-being and wellness helps employers take meaningful action.
Wellness
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The overall state of how someone feels and functions.
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The outcome of consistent wellness habits, including emotional resilience and life satisfaction.
Well-being
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The daily actions and choices that support overall health.
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Involves building habits that promote balance and fulfillment in all areas of life.
The Wellness Wheel
The Wellness Wheel helps us understand wellness by breaking it into different parts. Use the questions below to assess your workplace’s current support for employee wellness by considering:
💭 What areas are already covered?
💭 What areas could be improved?
See the suggested actions below.
This Wellness Wheel is largely based on the Canadian Mental Health Associations Wellness Wheel and the six dimensions of wellness identified by Dr. Bill Hettler. 1976. National Wellness Institute.
Cultural wellness
Feeling connected to your culture fosters belonging and cultural understanding. It also includes learning about and appreciating other cultures.
💡 Example
Acknowledge cultural holidays and provide employees the opportunity to share traditions.
Many accommodations cost nothing, and those that do typically cost less than $500.
Emotional wellness
Understanding and managing your emotions to handle stress, build resilience, and keep a positive outlook.
💡 Example
Schedule regular check-ins to support employees, especially during peak workload periods.
Many accommodations cost nothing, and those that do typically cost less than $500.
Environmental wellness
Feeling a connection to your surroundings, from the immediate space around you to the broader environment.
💡 Example
Ensure the workplace is clean and tidy and support sustainability initiatives like paper-free policies and reducing single-use plastics.
Many accommodations cost nothing, and those that do typically cost less than $500.
Financial wellness
Understanding and managing your finances. It includes budgeting, saving, and investing for the future.
💡 Example
Offer financial literacy workshops or assist employees in understanding their pay stubs.
Many accommodations cost nothing, and those that do typically cost less than $500.
Intellectual wellness
Learning, growing, and seeking knowledge.
💡 Example
Provide professional development training or opportunities to learn new skills.
Many accommodations cost nothing, and those that do typically cost less than $500.
Mental wellness
Looking after your mind to think clearly, make good decisions, and remember things. It includes accessing proper care for mental health conditions.
💡 Example
Offer mental health days and flexible work options where possible.
Many accommodations cost nothing, and those that do typically cost less than $500.
Occupational wellness
Enjoying your work, growing in your career, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
💡 Example
Provide clear pathways for career growth and define role expectations.
Many accommodations cost nothing, and those that do typically cost less than $500.
Physical wellness
Looking after your body by exercising, eating well, sleeping well, and accessing proper care for illnesses or injuries.
💡 Example action
Offer healthy workplace snacks and encourage movement, like walking meetings.
Many accommodations cost nothing, and those that do typically cost less than $500.
Social wellness
Building and maintaining healthy relationships, participating in social activities, and having people who support you.
💡 Example
Form a social committee to organize inclusive events like lunchtime gatherings.
Many accommodations cost nothing, and those that do typically cost less than $500.
Spiritual wellness
Finding meaning, exploring your values and beliefs, and connecting with something bigger than yourself.
💡 Example
Encourage mindfulness or meditation practices.
Many accommodations cost nothing, and those that do typically cost less than $500.
Promoting wellness in the workplace
A workplace that prioritizes wellness not only benefits employees but also leads to higher engagement, productivity, and job satisfaction. Use these practical strategies to foster workplace wellness:
Create a supportive environment
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Foster a culture of empathy and support where employees feel valued and understood.
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Consider developing a wellness toolkit to provide employees with accessible resources and practical strategies for workplace well-being.
📋 Checklist
Creating a wellness toolkit
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Provide wellness supports such as fidget toys or doodle pads during meetings to help employees manage stress and focus better.
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Reduce sensory overload by allowing the use of noise-canceling headphones, adjusting lighting, and offering flexible work options (e.g., remote work, frequent breaks).
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Offer mental health days or wellness breaks to help employees recharge and maintain productivity.
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Encourage employees to create a personal wellness plan, including strategies for self-care and identifying a network of support contacts.
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Ensure employees can access mental health resources, such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), counseling services, and mental health hotlines.
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Make resources visible and accessible—regularly share them through onboarding, staff meetings, and internal communications.
Promote work-life balance
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Encourage employees to create and maintain wellness routines that support work-life balance.
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Promote employee well-being by encouraging employees to take their full lunch breaks and use their vacation days.
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Implement flexible working arrangements where possible to help employees manage their personal and professional responsibilities.
📋 Checklist
Fostering work-life balance
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Is the expectation around taking a lunch break and using vacation days written in your employee handbook?
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Are these expectations communicated during onboarding?
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Do staff actively model this practice by taking a lunch break and vacation days?
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Can you implement flexible working arrangements?
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Are staff encouraged to sign off at the end of the day?
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Do staff model good email habits by not replying to emails outside of core working hours?
Set up a wellness program
Develop and implement wellness programs that address various parts of well-being.
📒 Instructions
How to set up a simple wellness program
1️⃣
Find time in the calendar to book a 30-minute weekly Wellness Moment.
2️⃣
Invite staff and explain they can use the time to support their well-being however they want.
3️⃣
Use examples from the Wellness Wheel to provide inspiration.
4️⃣
Gather employee feedback to refine the program.
5️⃣
Adjust based on employee needs and engagement levels.
More resources
Understanding wellness at work is a great place to start, but building inclusive workplaces that support the well-being of all employees goes even further. These resources provide additional learning and support to foster employee engagement and growth.
Further learning
For more information on inclusive hiring, explore the CanWork BC youth tool Wellness workbook (PDF 3.5 MB). This resource can serve as a reference for further learning or be shared with youth to help them confidently navigate the hiring process.
Employment support for youth
Want to support youth with disabilities in their employment journey? Share our CanWork BC youth resource, an interactive platform designed to help youth with disabilities navigate employment with confidence. This resource empowers youth with disabilities by providing self-guided information, activities, and support.
Disclaimer
The content above is not a substitute for professional legal advice. Please refer to the included links or consult official legislation and resources for current and accurate information.
This resource is intended to help employers understand their rights and responsibilities when hiring youth with disabilities. It provides information on key concepts and directs users to relevant resources.
Raise awareness
Educate employees about mental health and reduce stigma through workshops, seminars, and informational materials.
📚 More learning
Training from organizations such as Opening Minds can help staff recognize the signs of mental health issues and provide appropriate support.
1️⃣
Find time in the calendar to book a 30-minute weekly Wellness Moment.
2️⃣
Invite staff and explain they can use the time to support their well-being however they want.
3️⃣
Use examples from the Wellness Wheel to provide inspiration.
4️⃣
Gather employee feedback to refine the program.
5️⃣
Adjust based on employee needs and engagement levels.