ED 47: January-February 2013

54
ma r k E t in t E l l i gE n C E
with numerous challenges
affecting businesses, the
Singaporean workplace
has become more hectic
as employers and employees alike
scramble to get things done in the
wake of contemporary business issues.
Indeed, according to the latest quarterly
employment trends report released
by global recruitment firm Hudson,
Singapore has one of the highest levels
of employee burnout in the region, with
a third of the 426 employers surveyed
indicating an increase in staff weariness.
In addition, local workers are also
experiencing increasing workloads, the
highest within all Asia-Pacific markets
surveyed. Clearly, some form of
workplace health programme will have
to be implemented to keep employees at
the top of their games.
Dream Solutions, an integrated marketing
agency, utilises the Workplace Health
Promotion (WHP) Grant from the Health
Promotion Board (HPB) to design, execute
and sustain a diverse range of health
promotion activities that are conducted
in the office. The objectives are simple:
to create awareness of the importance of
Ja n | FE b 2013
En t r E p r E n E u r s’ Di g E s t
Workplace Health
is not a Dream
With the WHP Grant, Dream Solutions implements a series of
activities based on four pillars of healthy living
workplace health and also to improve the
health of Dream Solutions’ employees.
To accomplish this, the company bases
its WHP programmes on the four pillars
of healthy living, namely physical activity,
mental health, eating and a smoke-free
lifestyle.
The most commonly implemented
programmes are the talks and workshops
conducted to educate employees on
work-life balance and overall well-being.
Sessions that have been conducted
include “How to improve your EQ”
as well as “Identifying and Managing
Stress”, equipping employees with the
knowledge and tips to circumvent these
issues commonly faced in the workplace
or even at home.
Further, in their line of work, Dream
Solutions staff deal with individuals from
every walk of life, thus necessitating the
need for employees to be educated on
basic self-defense techniques. With the
WHP Grant, the company organises
weekly self-defense classes to equip
employees with different techniques
for different situations. It also serves as
a good workout session for staff to de-
stress while being engaged in physical
activity. The company also conducts
weekly hour-long yoga sessions during
office hours for staff to relax their battered
bodies and minds, shifting their focus
from work even if just for one short hour.
“The implementation of WHP activities
has definitely improved workplace
productivity in Dream Solutions,” said Mr
David Lee, Executive Director of Dream
Solutions, “With better knowledge on
health and nutrition, we began taking
care of our well-being, thereby reducing
absenteeism.” In addition, as the
employees interact and understand each
other better, their morale and satisfaction
has improved and increased productivity
follows naturally after. Staff are also
generally happier, healthier and more
co-operative after the implementation of
WHP programmes.
Moving forward, the company hopes to
implement more mental health programmes
for staff, as well as initiatives catered toward
flexi-work. With these in mind, workplace
health for Dream Solutions is no longer a
midsummer night’s dream.