Western Power

Workplace Profile

Western Power builds, maintains and operates the electricity network in the south west of Western Australia. Their vast transmission and distribution network connects West Australians to a wide range of both traditional and renewable energy sources to deliver on their changing energy needs.

Health and Wellbeing Profile 

Western Power's workplace health and wellbeing program has been running since 2017 and is overseen by a dedicated program coordinator. 

Planning

The workplace health and wellbeing program is part of the organisation's overall Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy which has Executive Management support and aims to build a resilient workforce. 

The program is planned in advance and is built on needs and priorities identified by employees via an annual self-assessment. A program coordinator was appointed in 2017 and is responsible for overseeing the workplace health and wellbeing strategy and has completed HWWA Coordinator Training.

"Our Board and senior leaders have a shared commitment and belief in the program. Our leaders ‘walk the talk’ in their behaviours and actions" says Claire McDonagh, the Western Power Health and Wellbeing Coordinator.      

Health and Wellbeing Program Activities

Western Power's workplace health and wellbeing program encompasses a wide range of different strategies and activities, including: 

• The dedicated program coordinator oversees and plans for future workplace health and wellbeing activities to improve mental, social, and physical wellbeing
• Smoke-free policy with no designated smoking areas, with support and advice available to staff who want to quit or cut down
• Online health and wellbeing hub where employees can access health and wellbeing-related information, set up and track personal challenges and create wellbeing goals and milestones 
• Sit-to-stand workstations to encourage staff to be less sedentary throughout the day
• Fully equipped kitchen facilities and food preparation areas to encourage healthy eating 
• End of trip facilities to support physical activity and encourage staff to actively commute to and from work 
• Four-week team challenges regarding physical activity and nutrition 
• Discounted gym memberships and individual health assessments, including flu vaccinations

Three tips from Western Power for other workplaces include:  

1. Assess and understand your current state of health and wellbeing with employee input to identify where the opportunities for improvement are and what priority should be given to each initiative
2. Allocate resources (financial and human) to efficiently and effectively manage the execution of the program and initiatives
3. Develop key health and wellbeing goals, targets, and measures and include them in relevant business reporting and agendas