Healthier workforce will better service the region
Charisse Edwards
Phone: 1300 007 662
Email: council@maranoa.qld.gov.au
Maranoa Regional Council yesterday approved funding for the position of a Corporate Health Officer, to provide support to Council’s current Social Services Facilitators and to develop health initiatives for Council staff aimed at improving productivity and reduce presenteeism and absenteeism.
Maranoa Regional Council Mayor, Robert Loughnan, acknowledged workforce support relief methods needed reviewing, "Council currently has a number of Aged Care Professionals employed in various locations who require replacement while on leave to ensure quality care to communities."
Cr Loughnan believes this position will provide relief to current facilitators when taking leave, which will reduce the need for temporary casual staff to fill the positions individually.
"The utilisation of one staff member would promote stability in the Community Care sector and ensure that service delivery and care to community members remained as streamlined as possible."
The second component of this full time position will focus on Primary Health Care information and education for existing Maranoa Regional Council employees in the form of improving health and wellbeing.
"Evidence strongly suggests organisations that encourage health education and programs contribute to a more productive, engaged and resilient workforce, with healthy employees proving three times more productive than unhealthy employees."
Cr Loughnan believes the impact of presenteeism (reduced productivity while at work) due to illness has a greater impact on productivity than that of absenteeism. The Corporate Health Officer will provide monitoring of presenteeism, absenteeism and productivity.
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