STAFF HEALTH, WELLNESS & ATTENDANCE

Background

The District recognizes the contribution each employee makes to the achievement of the District's goals and the provision of services to its students, and the importance of the physical, emotional and mental health of its employees.  The District also recognizes that absence because of illness or other reasons is unavoidable and, as a result, employees may be absent from work from time to time.  The District is committed to initiatives and measures designed to support all employees being healthy and working in an environment that promotes positive connections to the workplace and therefore optimal attendance at work.

The District understands that the workplace and the environment can influence the well-being and performance of its employees and therefore the functioning of the District in service to students.  The District is committed to ensuring a healthy workplace and assisting employees in managing their health and well-being.  The District recognizes that the best way to support attendance and reduce absenteeism is to have a supportive and health-focused environment for its employees.

Procedures

1. The District is committed to the idea that, there is a strong connection between the health and well being of people and their work environments. When people feel valued, respected and satisfied in their jobs and work in safe, healthy environments, they are more likely to be more productive and committed to their work. Everyone can benefit from a healthy workplace.
2. The District supports initiatives intended to enhance workplace health and wellness and staff attendance to the extent that those initiatives focus on personal health and wellness and a healthy workplace as means of supporting employee attendance.
3. The District expects employees to attend work on a regular and consistent basis and is committed to making every reasonable effort to assist employees in achieving and maintaining regular attendance.
4. It is understood that some absences are unavoidable, but it is also recognized that pro-active, early and ongoing intervention with employees can assist greatly in improving attendance and aid employees to return to the workplace.
5. The District understands the importance of minimizing workplace stress even while maintaining high standards and expectations for employee performance.
6. It is understood that employee wellness extends beyond the workplace and there will be an employee and family assistance program (EFAP) to support employee and family well-being.
7. The District expects that employees are to be treated fairly in all matters surrounding attendance issues and managers will work to ensure that this Administrative Procedure is understood by all staff.
8. District administrative staff will consult with representatives of The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 441 (CUPE 441), the Saanich Teachers’ Association (STA) and the Saanich Administrators’ Association (SAA) to develop and implement an Attendance Support and Wellness Program (ASWP) consistent with this Administrative Procedure.
9. The ASWP will take into consideration guidance and options that arise from any provincial shared services initiatives while ensuring adherence to this Administrative Procedure as outlined.
10. Human Resources management staff will provide leadership in collecting and sharing attendance data with representatives working on the ASWP, ensuring confidentiality and respect for privacy while looking for trends that may support health and wellness initiatives and optimal attendance for employees.
11. Supervisors and managers will work with representatives of employee groups both within the ASWP and as a matter of supervisory responsibility to support employees whose attendance patterns demonstrate a need for enhanced support or intervention with a focus on health, wellness and support measures.
12. The Director of Human Resources will prepare periodic reports throughout the school year for the Superintendent for presentation at the Human Resources Committee concerning health and wellness initiatives, the ASWP and related attendance or absence data.