2006-english
DESCRIPTION
30Kg ! É æ J h ô K ∂àë ° U Y o u r H e a lt h is o u r W e a l t h Employees’ Story written & illustrated by: Yasser Al-HamadTRANSCRIPT
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Your Health is our Wea
lth
NEW
!
30Kg
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ealth at work is a term that is gaining popularity
in modern times. In the past health at work was
mainly focused on physical health issues like nutrition,
obesity, addressing occupational illnesses and dieses.
More recently, other areas such as work-life-balance,
human psychology, and corporate governance have
changed the way health at work is viewed. It is common to
hear terms such as “work-related-stress” in seminars and
conference that address health and safety issues.
More recently in developed countries, workplace
health issues are being addressed through ‘wellness’
programs. It is just another approach that is aimed at
improving workers’ health and ensuring that they are
productive throughout their working carriers.
The ‘wellness’ program consist mainly of health
education; screening/checkups; and intervention designed
to change employee behavior towards a healthier lifestyle
that not only addresses work related risks but also all
other risks that may encounter the worker at home, play
or work.
The fundamental requirement to a sound ‘wellness’
program, is that it must focus on both physical and mental
risk that the worker may be exposed to. It must also address
all the conventional health issues that are encountered at
the workplace. Furthermore, a ‘wellness’ program must be
part of the organizational culture and not an alien activity
to it. For example, what does the employee do in terms
of allowing its workers’ to have access to gymnasium and
workout facilities? How frequently does the employer
conduct medical checkup on the employees? What
type of medical services does the employer provide its
employees?
HealthAt Work
H
Introduction
❤.... a ‘wellness’ program must be part of the organizational culture and not an alien activity to it.
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A ‘wellness’ program must also have equal shared
responsibility and accountability from both employees and
the employer. Both management and employees have an
equal responsibility in relation to psychological problems
which may develop into physical ones. The most common
example for such a situation is stress. Stress is a product
of demanding circumstances at work. With time, stress can
cause high blood pressure, heart problems, etc. Demanding
circumstances are not the single cause of stress. In modern
times, mental and emotional strain is sometimes caused
by the increasing rate of change and development of
technology. State of the art equipment today will become
primitive in a few years. This also means that the operators
of this equipment will need to update themselves more
frequently or they’ll become as outdated as the equipment
they run. Also, social demands, outside the workplace, may
impact individual as sever as demanding circumstances at
the workplace. As a result, a good ‘wellness’ program must
take all such issues into account to ensure that the workers’
lead a healthy lifestyle.
The Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC) used
the theme ‘Your health …. Is our Wealth’ for this year
to assure you that we will continue to work towards a
‘wellness’ program that ensures a healthy lifestyle.
We hope that you not only benefit but enjoy reading this
book as well,
All the best!
In modern times, mental and emotional strain is sometimes caused by the increasing rate of change and development of technology.
‘Your health …. Is our Wealth’
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Putting further pressure on our staff is not the solution.
BADINDICATORS
Chapter 1
are not seen as common labours; they are seen as craftsmen
capable of handling problems and finding solutions.This place
is home to teamwork and sharing ideas. The organizational
hierarchy of the company divided the tasks at work but it
didn’t divide the people.
It is the management’s weekly meeting when one of
the members of the board announces his opinion, “They are
our employees, and they’ll do what we want them to do!
We cannot slow down now, we have deadlines.” Voices of
support and acknowledgement fill the room.
The CEO interrupts the crowd with his point of view,
“You are right my dear colleges, we should not waste any
more time and the correct actions must be taken.”
The crowd calms down and start eagerly listening to
what the leader has to say. “As far as I know there is an upset
of attitude and loss of confidence due the late accidents, but
so far the indicators show that performance of staff is starting
to decrease and might further decrease. Putting further
pressure on our staff is not the solution. I feel it will only cause
us further upset that might affect their performance. Then we
will start having more and more troubles.”
ow could this happen!” Cries out the CEO when
he hears the news of another accident. “We buy
modern, state of the art equipment to speed up work and
handle more packages, not to damage them!”
The CEO is all fired up and he is not to be blamed.
First, there is the competition, then, there is the working
force, the employees, the people he has to deal with
everyday. In the beginning, it was hard to convince them
to accept new technological means of doing the work. The
company went through many seminars, handouts, posters
and booklets. It was a big campaign. Now, with accidents
taking place, it will be even harder to make new ideas and
means acceptable.
However, this innovation is important to the
company’s survival; competition is driving others out of the
market. The organization can enforce this innovation. It has
all the right to do so. However, the management is wiser
and knows better. The healthy working atmosphere that
the company had maintained for many years is the true
reason why it survived times of hardship. Here, employees
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“Ignoring the problem will only help making it bigger.”
Tick the correct answer:
1. Why was the CEO upset?
a. The performance of the staff was bad
b. Indicators showed decreasing peformance
c. Difference of opinion with board members
2. The general attitude of the organisation was:
a. Every one comparted to specific tasks
b. Hierarchy of positions marks decisions at every step
c. Team work was readily observed
3. What the CEO finally decide?
a. He decided to ignore the problem
b. He decided to enforce new rules
c. He decided to exploit the problem
4. Staff of this organisation are:
a. Physical labors that go by instructions
b. Craftsmen that know the detail of their work
c. Non of the above
Chapter 1 Competition
“What are you suggesting? Should we just ignore
the problem?’” A member of the board that is restless for
answers starts putting up further questions.
“That is not at all a good idea.” The CEO goes into
a deep thought for a moment and then eureka! He is
enlightened. “I believe we should be doing the opposite!
Ignoring the problem will only help making it bigger. Instead,
we should find out what the source of trouble really is,
• was the training insufficient?
• Is it a general negative attitude, ‘why shift to new
equipment when older ones did the job?’
• Are they unhappy about modern machinery taking over
their work, their craftsmanship?
“Whatever the reason is, exploiting the problem will help
us resolve it.”
BADINDICATORS
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Name :
Badge NO :
The final date for submitting your answers 25/11/2006
BADINDICATORSChapter 1 Competition
Good luck with the competitionand don’t forget to submit itbefore the deadline
“Whatever the reason is, exploiting the problem will help us resolve it.”
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TheLABOUR UNION
Chapter 2
Adapt!
his weekend all company workers are getting
together at the their union headquarters. Though
not a scheduled meeting, it was a very important one.
Usually the weekend is a happy time to spend with their
families, but the recent events back at work is causing a
major worry.
All workers are concerned about their future with
the company. The older workers are even more anxious,
they’re not as capable as the younger fellows when it comes
to adjusting to new technologies. They’ve lived in an age
where automation was minimal and man’s control over
machine was supreme. That is the reason why they don’t
trust new technologies. “How can a man trust a machine
with too many buttons!” They’d always say.
The union leader gets to the stand, “Good evening
everyone, we are here today to discuss the recent changes
that you are all aware of. Everybody is getting anxious
about the new ‘handlers’. Sure they made our work
easier and reduced our physical and mental efforts, but
the accidents count is on the rise and the management is
getting concerned. As you all know, damaged packages give
our company a bad name. In fact, it gives us workers a bad
name...”
Suddenly one the elders in the audience gets off his
chair in objection to the leader. “We did very well before
those terrible automated machines arrived!” The turbulent
crowd agrees.
“Don’t misunderstand me, your quality of work and
ingenuity gave this company its prominence and that is
undoubted.” The leader was quick to calm the deafening
crowd. “However, change is a ‘given’ fact of life. Today’s new
innovations will run out of fashion tomorrow. We cannot
stop change but I am very sure that we can adapt.
“Adapt! Did you ever work on one of those handlers?
It is hard to know what the next button will do, and...”
“Believe me, I do understand the way you feel and I
respect your point of view. Now, after all those years of
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experience and after all your achievement comes a machine
that puts an end to it all. “
The leader’s aim is not to dishearten his co-workers.
His true target is to make the facts about the situation
clear to his co-workers and is struggling to bring to their
knowledge where they actually stand. There will always be
progress and for mankind to survive, they have to cope
with it. That is the spirit that he wants to promote.
“My dear co-workers, let us try to think in a
different way. Let us try to see the current situation as a
new challenge. This is not the first time that you’ve been
challenged and neither will it be the last. “
“And I am sure that this is just another stepping
stone in the path of your success. I am sure that the elders
amongst us know better. During my early days with the
company I heard stories from them that elevated my
spirit and made me a potent worker. Their spirit, and their
encouragement is what empowered my spirit and the spirit
of all the younger workers.”
“I’d say, let us give it a try! Let us prove to ourselves
as we always did that we can manage. New machines,
old machines, handlers or rockets, Winners will always be
winners!”
The crowd’s spirits is elevated once again as they
hail their leader and applaud him for a great speech that
filled them with enthusiasm.
TheLABOUR UNION
Chapter 2 Competition
Tick the correct answer:
1. The older workers were worried about the handlers
a. because of the difficulty to adapt to new technologies
b. because they had bad attitude towards technology
c. they think that older machines were more efficient.
2. The new ‘handler’ made the job
a. more tedious and wasted time
b. easier physically and mentally
c. unsafe and damaged packages
3. The workers have to adapt to new technologies
a. because the management wants them to do so
b. because no one can stop change and development
c. both ‘a’ and ‘b’ are correct
4. The Union Leader’s aim in his speech was to :
a. Dishearten his fellow workers
b. Encourage them to accept new challenges
c. Non of the above
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Name :
Badge NO :
The final date for submitting your answers 25/11/2006
TheLABOUR UNIONChapter 2 Competition
Good luck with the competitionand don’t forget to submit itbefore the deadline
“I’d say, let us give it a try!”
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“That is true!” Exclaims the CEO, “Most of the
workers involved in the recent accidents were our old and
sincere employees. At first, I was surprised that they were
involved in those accidents as I traced back their flawless
working records. But now it is all clear, they needed time to
adapt!”
What the CEO and Supervisor were observing
was practical class conducted by one of the smart young
workers, one of those digital age youngsters, teaching a
number of older workers how to manage the new machine
better. This was a beautiful scene that shows the character
of the sincere elders who were not afraid or ashamed to
learn from a young man half of their age. What is important
to them is the knowledge that enables them to do their
job better.
At a time when the management was searching for
the source of the problem, the workers had already started
solving it!
At a time when the management was searching for the source of the prob-lem, the workers had already started solving it!
TheWalk-around
Chapter 3
his morning, the CEO decided to take a round
along with the field supervisor at the working site.
It is the first day at work after the weekend.This is not a
routine walk around, he actually wants to get a feel of the
atmosphere at work. Like he earlier mentioned, he wants to
get to the source of the problem. He had already assigned
others to hunt for the problem, but he is too concerned
and feels that his personal involvement is necessary.
“Everyone seems to be active and lively today.”
“Sir, maybe it is the fresh start after the weekend.”
The thoughtful CEO is a little surprised.
“And what is that get together in the distance?”
“Actually Sir, the workers today started practical
learning sessions.”
“Why? Didn’t we train them
adequately?”
“Of course Sir! But what I’ve
personally observed is that the younger
workers adapted much faster to our
new ‘handlers’ than the elders.”
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The CEO was so pleased because of what he learned
that he enthusiastically advanced towards the group and
congratulated them on their effort. The workers were a
little surprised because they see what they do as their duty,
their job. But for the CEO it is that sort of attitude that is
the true treasure and backbone of the company.
As a step in the positive direction, the CEO decided
that these sessions the workers voluntarily conducted
amongst themselves should be encouraged by:
• officially providing more time for these sessions
• pay special allowance to the tutors
• certifying those sessions as specialized courses
The workers started out trying to help themselves.
However, they ended up setting a standard.
THE END
THE N
EW B
EGIN
NIN
G
TheWalk-around
Chapter 3 Competition
Tick the correct answer:
1. The CEO was keen to find out why the worker conducted
sessions because:
a. The company had already conducted adequate training
b. He feared the spread of negative attitude via sessions
c. Both of the above
2. The CEO was surprised when he saw the accident reports
a. Accident reports were becoming more frequent
b. Workers involved had flawless records
c. Both of the above
3. What the CEO finally decide?
a. To support the training sessions
b. To stop them because they’re a waste of time
c. To improve the existing training program
4. Staff of this organisation:
a. are always dependent on management instructions
b. are sincere and will do their best to improve themselves
c. have negative attitude towards progress22 23
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TheWalk-aroundChapter 3 Competition
Good luck with the competitionand don’t forget to submit itbefore the deadline
“The workers started out trying to help themselves. However, they ended up setting a standard.” Name :
Badge NO :
The final date for submitting your answers 25/11/2006
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Tips
Wellness
@Home
he CEO decided to push things further in the right
direction. Now that everyone is in a positive mood
why not further enhance everybody’s performance by
adapting a healthy lifestyle. He holds a meeting with his
team and brainstorm how they can help employees have
a healthy lifestyle? The team comes up with these great
tips!
Maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active can
prevent health problems and promote a healthy lifestyle.
When making changes, it’s important that your whole
family be involved in eating regular healthy meals and an
active lifestyle. Here are some tips:
Shopping for Food
4 Make a shopping list and stick to it: This will keep you
from buying foods you did not intend to buy.
4 Shop when you are not hungry: High calorie foods
will not be as tempting.
4 Shop the outside aisles of the store first: Most stores
are set up with produce, breads, meat, and dairy on
the outside aisles. Most convenience foods are on the
inside aisles. These foods tend to be higher in sugar
and fat, and contain less fiber, vitamins and minerals.
4 Try whole grain breads and cereals: Most bread, pasta,
rice, and cereals are low in fat.
4 Croissants, muffins, granola, and biscuits have more
fat. Look for whole grains in the ingredient list (wheat,
oats, barley).
4 Try low fat or nonfat dairy products to get enough
protein, calcium and Vitamin D, without all the extra
fat and calories. Instead of whole milk, regular yogurt,
hard & processed cheeses, choose skim milk, low or
nonfat dairy products, frozen yogurt.
4 Plan enough time to read labels: Check portion
sizes, calories, fat, and sources of fat. The nutrition
information on the label is for one serving. Look at
how many servings are in the package.
4 Involve the whole family in meal planning. Allow
children to choose some fruits and vegetables to
Start a “wellness” program at your home
Chapter 4
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Tips
Wellness
@Home
have at home. This may increase their acceptance of a
wider variety of foods.
4 Choose a variety of foods to have available for meals
and snacks in your home. You are in charge of what
foods come into your home.
Nutrition
4 All foods work. All foods can fit into a healthy lifestyle
program. It is just important to know which foods
your body needs more of and which foods your body
needs less of.
4 Choose a variety of foods using the Food Guide
Pyramid: This will give your child the vitamins and
minerals needed for growth and development.
Dairy 2-3 servings
Fruits & Vegetables 5 servings
Meat & Protein 2-3 servings
Breads & Cereals 6-11 servings
Sugar & Fat Only a small amount
Choose meals: 1 item from 3-4 of the food groups
Choose snacks: 1 item from 2-3 of the food groups
4 Encourage regular meals and snacks. Offer 3 meals
with 2-3 snacks during the day. Meals and snacks
should be offered about every 3 hours.
4 Use low fat cooking methods, such as baking or broiling
and using nonstick pots and pans. Try a vegetable
cooking spray.
4 Serve low calorie foods first: Offer a salad or soup at
the beginning of the meal.
4 Try these nutrient rich foods for snacks:
4 Carrot sticks with small
4 Cereal with milk amount of dressing
4 Fresh fruit
4 Celery sticks with peanut
4 ½ sandwiches
4 Butter and raisins
4 Low fat crackers and cheese
4 Limit calorie containing beverages such as juice, pop,
and lemonade.
Maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active can pre-vent health problems and promote a healthy lifestyle.
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Tips
Wellness
@Home
Eating Out at Restaurants
4 Ask what is in a dish, and how it is made before your child
orders. Restaurant cooking can be a major source of fat.
4 Be aware and read the menus: items that say buttered, in
cream sauce, fried, pan fried, crispy, or marinated in oil are
high in fat.
4 Order sauces and dressings on the side: That way your
child can dip the food to control the amount of high calorie
sauces or dressings on the food.
Eating Out at “Fast Food” Places
4 Choose plain burgers or grilled meat sandwiches. Skip the
cheese, special sauces or mayonnaise-based dressings. Use
mustard, ketchup or barbeque sauce instead.
4 Order a small or regular order rather than jumbo, super or
deluxe sizes.
4 Choose regular bread, buns or small muffins, instead of
croissants or large muffins.
4 Choose thin-crust pizza with extra vegetable toppings
instead of thick crust and extra cheese, sausage or
pepperoni.
4 Grilled chicken or garden salads have less fat and calories
than Chef or Taco salads. Choose a light or fat-free salad
dressing. Ask that it be on the side so the amount used can
be controlled.
4 Choose a soft serve ice cream instead of a candy topped
shake or malt.
Physical Activity
Activity is an important part of living well and any healthy lifestyle
program. It increases self-esteem and a sense of well-being. It also
improves coordination, develops muscle strength and flexibility,
protects against heart disease, relieves stress, and makes for
better sleep patterns. To encourage activity:
4 Find an activity the whole family enjoys: It may be a brisk
walk or a game of soccer in the park.
4 Be creative: Use common household items to be active.
4 Make use of GPIC Club: Many activities for all ages are
available free for you to indulge in.
4 Make a list of indoor activities that you and your child can
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Tips
Wellness do instead of watching television, playing video
games or using the computer. Try turning on
music and dancing.
4 Warm-up: 3-5 minutes to lower the chance of
being hurt.
4 Aerobic: 10-20 minutes-choose an activity that
will make the heart rate go up.
4 Cool-down: 5 minutes to bring the heart rate
back down to normal slowly.
4 Assign household chores to increase activity:
vacuuming, dusting, washing dishes or sweeping
the floor are all activities that will help you and
your family be healthier.
4 Encourage children to participate in outdoor
chores: raking leaves, picking up sticks or
gardening.
Source for the above: http://
www.seattlechildrens.org/child_health_safety/pdf/flyers
4Physical activity increases self-esteem and the sense of well-being.
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