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We've frequently spoken of the importance of creating a culture of health within a workplace, such as here and here. This can be a key factor in driving participation, engagement, and results. Now new insights now come from the petroleum industry.

The Shell Oil Company published a paper with the Society of Petroleum Engineers titled: “Transitioning From a Classic Wellness Paradigm to a Culture of Health Strategy: Early Reflections and Impacts.” The presentation was part of the SPE International Conference and Exhibition on Health, Safety, Security, Environment, and Social Responsibility in April.

Key line: “This paper describes the evolution of Shell's approach to wellness, from one focused on health risk prevalence and health care costs, to a more holistic definition of health, and broadened list of success metrics including employee engagement. We begin by explaining the context for the initiation of our workplace wellness programs, including high and increasing prevalence of obesity, and growing absenteeism, particularly at large manufacturing assets.”

Among Shell's findings: “Shell's investment in employee wellness programs has spanned more than a decade, and is closely aligned with the Company's business principles and values, including long-term profitability and demonstrating care for employees. Initial wellness interventions focused almost entirely on reducing obesity at targeted worksites. Over time, the emphasis has been broadened to development of a company-wide culture of health which seeks to 'empower People and the Business to thrive, and perform at their best.'”

The paper includes insights into when “successful implementation of a Culture of Health will be apparent:”

1. “Company leaders talk about health routinely”
2. “Visitors know and feel that Shell values health and cares for people”
3. “External agencies identify Shell as a healthy high performing company”
4. “Employees value health as much as safety is currently valued”

The piece concludes with a strong endorsement and mission statement: “A healthy workplace goes beyond worker protection or ergonomics, to an environment that is friendly, supportive, and an enabler of high performance. Programs and activities underlying the development of Shell's Culture of Health are aligned with one purpose – to create healthy high performance and add value for people and the business.”