Employer of Choice

Human Resources

Health

The Wellness Works program
In 2002, a group of enthusiastic City employees joined together to discuss the creation of a wellness program at the City of Kamloops. With support from the senior management team, the group announced the start of a new program called Wellness Works at a series of breakfasts held at various worksites. Since then, the program has grown to include a variety of activities and initiatives aimed at promoting a healthy workplace at the City of Kamloops.

In line with the City of Kamloops' Quest for Quality initiative to become an "employer of choice", the Wellness Works program recognizes that a healthy workplace is more than just encouraging the physical wellness of its staff. Being an employer of choice essentially means being able to provide employees with the most enjoyable and fulfilling working environment as possible and balancing this with their home and personal lives. The Wellness Works program strives to achieve this vision through three main principles of a healthy workplace approach, as identified by the National Quality Institute:
To support healthy lifestyles, behaviours and coping skills for employees
To foster a safe and healthy workplace
To develop a positive organizational culture

More information on the Wellness Works program is available by contacting the Human Resources office. The following is just a sample of the program's offerings:

Community Events
Encouraging involvement in our community is an important part of the Wellness Works program. Staff members are visible at community events throughout the year, including the Run for the Cure, Terry Fox Run, and other fundraising efforts. Employees have formed teams for the "Adopt a Road" program, donated their time to Operation Red Nose, and supported the local Foodbank and SPCA drives. Information on upcoming events is provided by the Wellness Works program and employees wanting to volunteer are given help with registrations and provided with Wellness Works t-shirts.

Healthy Lifestyles
The Wellness Works program supports on-site Weight Watchers groups and smoking cessation programs by providing incentives to participating employees. The program also promotes healthier food choices at staff meetings and in workplace vending machines.

A Wellness Works newsletter, with useful information on physical and mental health issues, is distributed quarterly throughout the City's worksites.

Canada's National Healthy Workplace Week
Since 2003, Canada's National Healthy Workplace Week (usually in late October) has been an annual highlight for the Wellness Works program. Flu shots, health testing, walking clinics, gym orientations, local hikes and a personal health quiz contest are just a few of the activities that occur during this important week. Information on nutrition, osteoporosis, heart and stroke, preparing for retirement, wills and estates, among other topics, are presented by community speakers. A calendar of events for the Healthy Workplace Week is issued every year in early October.

Employee Gyms
Two well-furnished employee gym facilities (located at 105 Seymour and at the Central Maintenance Yard) are maintained and managed by the Wellness Works Committee.

Walking Program
As part of the Wellness Works program's mandate to promote physical fitness, a walking program was launched in 2004. Walking kits, consisting of a pedometer, water bottle and log book, were distributed to all staff with the goal of encouraging employees to walk a minimum of 10,000 steps a day. Organizations of local hikes, walking clinics, team step challenges and distribution of information on the benefits of walking are ongoing efforts to encourage walking as part of a healthy lifestyle.

The Rivers Trail Wellness Walk is an annual event organized by the Wellness Works committee each Spring and involves an 18-kilometre walk along the river. The public and other organizations in the community are invited to participate and use the event as their own wellness initiative.

Members of the Wellness Works committee also speak to local businesses to promote walking for their staff and encourage beginning their own wellness programs.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The City of Kamloops provides employees with access to local counsellors through its employee assistance program (EAP). Through the EAP provider, the Wellness Works program coordinates sessions throughout the year on topics of interest to staff. Past sessions included information on caring for the elderly, parenting of teens and ways to alleviate stress.

Logo Contact
Human Resources
105 Seymour Street
Kamloops, BC V2C 2C6
ph (250) 828-3439
fax (250) 372-1351
email hr@kamloops.ca

Note: We thank all applicants for their interest in positions at the City of Kamloops. We will contact those applicants who are selected for an interview as soon as possible.