Workplaces can play a key role in helping their staff to be healthy.

More than half of Victorians are employed, so a workplace that encourages health can have a positive effect on the health and wellbeing of the community.

A healthy workplace has benefits for both employers and employees, because it contributes to:

• staff being more productive and satisfied in their work
• less stress and anxiety in the workplace
• staff being more likely to stay in their jobs
• staff having fewer ‘absent’ or sick days
• reduced worker’s compensation costs.

Healthy eating in the workplace

The most successful way to support healthy eating in the workplace is to use a whole of setting approach. This means making sure healthy choices are available everywhere where foods and drinks are supplied, including:

• catering for staff
• vending machines 
• on-site food and drink retail outlets such as canteens, cafeterias, cafes, coffee shops and kiosks
• staff rooms and kitchens
• fundraising activities, gifts, prizes and give-aways. 

The Victorian Government has developed the Healthy Choices: healthy eating policy and catering guide for workplaces to help workplaces practise a whole of setting approach to healthy eating.

The guidelines provide practical advice and step-by-step instructions on how to develop a healthy eating policy, as well as recommendations for healthy workplace catering.

To access the guidelines visit https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/preventive-health/nutrition/healthy-choices-for-retail-outlets-vending-machines-catering