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“I’m so stressed at work!”

How many times have you uttered these words while sitting at your desk or at home? And what does your organization do to help with your stress?

The Ohio Psychological Association (OPA) will honor five organizations that have implemented programs and policies to make their employees’ work life psychologically healthy. On Oct. 25, at 12:15 p.m. at the Radisson Worthington, OPA recognized The Ohio Society of CPAs (Dublin), Jewish Family Services (Columbus), Dayton Marriott Hotel, Humility of Mary Health Partners (Youngstown) and Koinonia Homes (Cuyahoga Heights) as recipients of its fourth annual Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award.

After an application was submitted to OPA, a panel of OPA members conducted a site visit. The workplace was evaluated on five areas: employee involvement, employee growth and development, health and safety, employee recognition and work-life balance.

“We know that health care expenditures are nearly 50 percent greater for workers who report high levels of stress. Also, employees report calling in sick because of stress,” said David Hayes, Ph.D., OPA president. “We are proud to honor these organizations that demonstrate a psychologically healthy workplace through programs and activities that reduce stress and help their employees. We hope other workplaces will implement similar programs.”

THE OHIO SOCIETY OF CPAS, DUBLIN

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The Ohio Society of CPAs, an association for certified public accountants (CPAs) located in Dublin, offers extensive programs to make its employees’ lives psychologically healthy. The organization has an outstanding flexible work option that offers flex time for employees or telecommuting from home. Telecommuting played a big role this past year when the association renovated their building. Designed through employees’ input, the entire building was gutted, and most employees worked from home. The telecommuting allowed the association to provide uninterrupted service to its members.

Career development is valued as well. Quarterly staff training focuses on topics such as stress and teambuilding. Employees are encouraged to join professional associations and become certified in computer software. Most impressive is the organization’s tuition reimbursement program. An employee can get 100 percent of college paid as long as they maintain a certain grade.

“Successful organizations have to be focused on their workers—and that means more than just how we pay, how many hours we work and what benefits we provide,” said J. Clarke Price, president and CEO, The Ohio Society of CPAs. “Successful organizations have to be concerned about the overall environment we create for the people that make us successful.”

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES, COLUMBUS

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Jewish Family Services, a social service agency, has overcome a variety of financial hardships and layoffs to become a psychologically healthy workplace. The organization follows the mantra of Executive Director Chuck Weiden: “If I’m going to be successful, it’s because of our staff.”

Open communication is the biggest proponent of the workplace. This policy was especially important when the organization was going through hardships, so that there are no surprises about the organization’s financial standing. Employees say they now feel appreciated and the workplace is less stressful because of open communication. Managers ask employees about how their week is going. Weiden sends greetings to each employee on his/her birthday. Staff recognition also is important. In addition, when employees do feel stressed, they have access to a fantastic employee assistance program.

Diversity is another important aspect of their workplace. Among staff, 10 languages are spoken. Most recently, a cultural competency committee was formed.

“Our staff views Jewish Family Services as a psychologically healthy workplace for a number of reasons, including, but not limited to: 1) enjoying what they do on a daily basis and finding meaning in their work to assist other people; 2) feeling appreciated (most of the time, since no place is perfect) by their co-workers, management staff and the Board of Directors; 3) having respect for the skills and talents of their co-workers; and, 4) having trust in the organization due to good communication, regardless of whether news is good or bad,” said Weiden.

DAYTON MARRIOTT HOTEL

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Psychologically healthy isn’t the first word that comes to mind when you think of the hotel industry. But the Dayton Marriott Hotel has implemented several programs to make the work environment psychologically healthy. Employees are involved in the decision making process in a variety of ways. The Marriott gives local autonomy to its employees to treat customer needs. Employees are encouraged to make suggestions and raise issues to improve service. Meaningful suggestions are rewarded.

In addition, The Marriott has an extensive Internet based training and support system. A system is available for associates to develop a career plan and receive feedback regarding their plan. The company also provides tuition reimbursement and on-site education, which leads to employees being able to obtain their GEDs.

"Our founder, J.W. Marriott, Sr,. was noted for saying, ‘Take good care of your associates, and your associates will take good care of your guests, and your guests will keep coming back again and again.’ Today's successful workplace has to provide more than just job security and wages,” said John Buntemeyer, general manager, Dayton Marriott Hotel. “We have to provide the support and resources to our associates that go beyond the traditional workplace issues that employers faced yesterday. When you join the Dayton Marriott team, you quickly learn that you are part of a family. We work hard and we take care of each other."

HUMILITY OF MARY HEALTH PARTNERS, YOUNGSTOWN

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Humility of Mary Health Partners (HMHP), a health care service organization in Youngstown, offers a psychologically healthy workplace through its employee assistance program (EAP). HMHP employees live in a stressful work and family environment, so the organization is proactive in addressing stress and trauma that exists in this fast paced, patient focused environment. The EAP has a central role in providing services to assist employees and their families in coping with stress and other life issues. The EAP offers programs in the areas of employees’ growth and development, work life balance, recognition and safety, including stress management, drug and alcohol prevention and financial issues. -more-

"The HMHP Employee Assistance Program (EAP), a component of Employee Health & Wellness Services, serves as the primary catalyst and guardian of the psychological health of our employees with provision of emotional, behavioral, spiritual and educational support available to employees,” said Patty Melnykovich, employee health and wellness manager. “Guided by the mission, vision and values of the organization, HMHP has demonstrated a firm commitment to establishing a psychologically healthy workplace with the development of comprehensive policies, procedures, practices and programs to ensure that employees are involved in the decision-making process, encouraged to balance work and life, supported in employee growth and development and recognized and rewarded for their contributions."

KOINONIA HOMES, INC., CUYAHOGA HEIGHTS

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Koinonia Homes, Inc. provides residential services to individuals with developmental disabilities in Cuyahoga County. These labor intensive programs require a dedicated staff to perform stressful duties 24-hours a day, so Koinonia has to provide a psychologically healthy workplace to keep employees happy and healthy. Last year, the organization forged a relationship with the Cuyahoga County Community College’s Center of Applied Gerontology to develop training on the aging population. Staff commented about how these programs helped them understand their work with older family members and their residents. After the first year of courses, the program was evaluated. Because of employee feedback, the program was redesigned so more staff could participate. The educational classes also became more focused and included hands-on activities. Some of the hands-on projects included creating a photo album to help with memory loss for a client who was developing Alzheimer’s and changing a client’s bedroom to help him maintain a routine.

“Koinonia Homes recognizes and respects the power of facilitating opportunities for our employees to perform at their personal best,” said Diane Beastom, CEO. “Creating the environment and culture of a learning organization has resulted in employees reporting increased job satisfaction, personal pride, recognition and empowerment. We are honored to have the opportunity to partner with our staff to achieve these outcomes.”

The benefits of a healthy workplace can include increased productivity and employee retention rates, recruiting advantages, company image enhancement, a better workplace atmosphere, as well as workers who are less stressed and more satisfied with their jobs.

Failure to provide a psychologically healthy workplace can impact the bottom line. A poll conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that one in four employees has taken a “mental health” sick day. Job stress also costs U.S. industry $300 billion annually.

For more information about Ohio’s Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award, contact Katie Crabtree Thomas, director of communications and education at (800) 783-1983.

Please also visit the "Best Practice" page to view information about Coleman Professional Services, a 2004 PHWA Winner and 2005 APA Best Practice Award Winner.