In the know @ PHO - June 2015

ISABELLE LANGMAN, IPAC SPECIALIST,
(LEFT) RECEIVES A 15 YEAR SERVICE
AWARD FROM PETER DONNELLY (RIGHT)
CREATING A WORK
ENVIRONMENT
THAT PROMOTES
GOOD MENTAL HEALTH
Public Health Ontario is dedicated to protecting
and promoting the health of Ontarians; and we are
also committed to providing a safe and healthy work
environment and protecting the health and wellbeing of
employees.
PHOTO CREDIT: ANDREW RIMKUS
ENHANCING OUR
APPROACHES TO
RECOGNITION
We know how important it is for people to be recognized
for the contributions they make to PHO, whether it’s for years
of service to the organization, for going above and beyond to
deliver on a project, for reaching out to support colleagues who
can use an extra hand to help meet a deadline, for generating
new and innovative solutions, for making a significant
contribution to the public health field, or for simply taking
proactive steps to improve a process. Employee recognition is
integral to building and maintaining an engaged workforce.
PHO recently had the opportunity to celebrate the service
of employees from across the organization through our
annual Long Service awards. This formal recognition program
recognizes permanent employees who have achieved 5, 10, 15,
20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 year service milestones.
Long service awards were celebrated recently in Corporate
Services, Science and Public Health and at the Toronto
laboratory. As this newsletter is going into production, service
award presentations are also underway at regional laboratories
▶
across the province. The awards provide leaders across PHO
PHO leaders have demonstrated their commitment
to creating a mentally healthy workplace through
participation in the Mental Health at Work Leadership
Certificate Program earlier this year. The program was
facilitated by our EAP provider, Morneau Shepell, in
collaboration with the Faculty of Health Sciences at
Queen’s University.
Nearly all working Canadians
experience mental health
issues that can affect job
performance. When it comes
to mental health in the
workplace, leaders play a
pivotal role by helping to
create a work environment that
promotes good mental health.
“We all have busy lives and
often deal with varying
amounts of stress. The Mental
Health at Work Leadership
program equips PHO management with the tools to
recognize and support staff who may be experiencing
mental health challenges,” says Peter Donnelly, president
and CEO. “I want staff to know that there are supports
available to them should they need them. Workplace
wellness is a priority and we will continue to explore
programs and initiatives that help build and promote a
healthy work environment.”
BY MELISSA CHEUNG,
ORGANIZATIONAL IMPROVEMENT COORDINATOR
14 | Return to table of contents