HPB Voices Reloaded
Jul - Aug 2008
In this issue of Voices, Jacklyn Leau interviews the leaders behind the healthy lifestyle and worklife balance movement a.k.a Healthy Workforce Committee (HWC) at HPB.
Find out more about them and all the exciting initiatives and activities the various Sub-Committees have in store for you!
- Dr Chow Khuan Yew: Chairperson, Healthy Workforce Committee (HWC)
- Elamaaran Balakrishnan: Chairperson, Sports and Games Sub-Committee
- Joann Taylor & Serena Chia: Co-Chairpersons, Recreation Sub-Committee
- Karen Kwok: Chairperson, Worklife Balance Sub-Committee
- Seah Peik Ching: Chairperson, Nutrition Sub-Committee
Dr Chow Khuan Yew
Chairperson, Healthy Workforce Committee
Jacklyn: Can you tell us about yourself, what is HWC and what it does?
Dr Chow: I am currently the Deputy Director of National Registry of Diseases under the Research & Strategic Planning Division.
HWC stands for Healthy Workforce Committee! What the Committee does is to encourage staff to adopt a healthy lifestyle while at work and enjoy work-life balance!
This year, HWC has introduced some brand new activities which I hope our colleagues will actively participate and enjoy.
The HWC has a good representation of staff from all the Divisions; sports and recreation enthusiasts, a human resource manager and a nutritionist have been nominated to chair the respective sub-committees. And not forgetting our Health Promoters who play a critical role in encouraging HPB colleagues to lead a healthy lifestyle.
HWC activities are spearheaded by four sub-committees in the following areas: recreation, nutrition, work-life balance, sports and games.
Elamaaran Balakrishnan
Chairperson, Sports & Games Sub-Committee
Jacklyn: Maaran, I understand that you head the Sports and Games Sub-Committee. Could you introduce yourself and share with us what the Sports and Games Sub-Committee does?
Maaran: I am quite an active person and I love the outdoors and sports. My sports routine includes playing soccer, badminton, tennis, jogging, diving and swimming. I also enjoy clubbing, travelling and reading. I believe life is an adventure and I subscribe to the Outward Bound motto "You cannot discover new oceans unless you have courage to lose sight of the shore". Currently, I’m Deputy Director (Youth Outreach) in the Youth Health Division.
Kickstart your sporting self by joining the activities organised by the Sports & Games Sub-Committee! Come with your colleagues (or meet new colleagues!) by joining various sports and games activities organised at HPB. We say YOU have to be there, because you wouldn't want to miss out on all these exciting sporting activities! You’re never too old or young to participate and be healthy!
We aim to implement a range of activities to increase the level of physical activity and promote staff bonding as well as to coordinate and encourage participation in HPB sporting activities.
Some of our activities include:
- Let’s explore the Deep sea! – SCUBA Diving for HPB colleagues in September 2008
- Let’s get Fit! - Fitness assessment on 14 Nov 2008 as part of NHLC. Apart form measuring level of fitness, colleagues can take the opportunity to participate in fringe activities and bond with fellow colleagues
- Strike Out Bowling Challenge!- Friendly competition among teams from various HPB divisions in February 2009
JoAnn Taylor & Serena Chia
Co-Chairpersons, Recreation Sub-Committee
Jacklyn: JoAnn and Serena, I understand that you are both co-chairing the Recreation Sub-Committee, could you tell us more about yourselves and whether you have any programmes for those who are not so adventurous or sporty, and wish to include their family members as well?
JoAnn: I’m originally from California but have been a globetrotter for the last ten or so years - both living overseas and travelling. You may notice a new Recreation activity is a photography class as I love taking pictures while living and travelling abroad. I’m currently the Deputy Director of the Communicable Disease Education Department under the Adult and Elderly Health Division. My team and I help to keep Singaporeans and residents free from infectious diseases - so remember to cover your mouth when you have a cold or flu!
Serena: I am a Nutrition Educator in the Nutrition Clinic of the Student Health Centre. I advise students on having a balanced diet and doing regular exercises to control their weight. I participate in running events so that I do not have an excuse not to exercise. I try to go to the gym in HPB at least 3 times a week, where I use the cross trainer. Sometimes you will also find me asking fellow colleagues who use the gym to sign in on the register as we are trying to keep track of the number of staff who use the gym.
Through all our activities, we aim to increase your ability to cope well with work and life’s demands and to increase your moderate physical activity (to get those hearts pumping a bit more), of course not forgetting to inject some fun and relaxation into these activities.
As in past years, we want you to get up and s-t-r-e-t-c-h, dance and w_a_l_k through yoga, social, TBT (tummy, butt and thighs) classes and weekly walks.
We are family – let’s bring together the HPB family with yours! This year’s Family Day will be an outdoor movie screening in February or March 09, with games and dinner for HPB staff and their family members.
Look out for some of the activities that we have planned for this year:
- Tired of being on the waiting list for the yoga & TBT classes? Try Pilates, classes starting soon.
- Calling all gardening and photography enthusiasts! – we’ll have classes for you to improve those skills or develop a new hobby.
- Interest talks – during the HWC fair attend a talk to learn about preventing and managing repetitive and work related injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome and “Tennis Elbow”.
- Worried about your finances? Not to worry, a talk in Q3 will walk you through financial management.
Karen Kwok
Chairperson, Worklife Balance Sub-Commitee
Jacklyn: Karen, as chairperson of the Worklife Balance Sub-Committee, can you share with us your personal perspective on worklife balance as well as what your Sub-Committee does?
Karen: To balance my work (as a Manager in the HR Department) and personal life, I enjoy going for short breaks to neighbouring countries, especially island getaways and going into the heartlands. It is a good way for me to de-stress and recharge, but most importantly, it doesn’t cost a bomb! It also gives me the chance to explore nature and learn about the different local cultures and ways of living.
Are you feeling stressed out with work and life’s never-ending demands? Is this taking a toll on your health? Being healthy is about being happy too! The Work-Life Balance Sub-Committee has lined up an exciting host of activities & initiatives to help you take on life’s challenges with zest AND stay cool in the process!
Besides email tips on coping with stress and quarterly talks, here are some other exciting activities you can look forward to this year:
- ‘Little Gestures’ – keep a lookout for souvenirs with work-life balance messages that’s coming your way!
- ‘Kidz@Work’ – a chance for your children to know your workplace and have a day of fun at HPB!
- Health Screening & Health/Lifestyle Survey – are you in your pink of health? Find out in the 2008 Health Screening Event! You will be given your very own individualised report with comparison to your 2006 health screening results if you have participated before!
- Employee of the Year award – do you feel that your fellow colleagues are great role models and a source of inspiration to other staff? Nominate them for the award! Keep a look-out for our announcement!
Seah Peik Ching
Chairperson, Nutrition Sub-Committee
Jacklyn: Peik Ching, being a nutritionist, I guess it’s only natural that you assume the position of Chairperson of the Nutrition Sub-Committee. Could you introduce yourself and share with us some of the initiatives that you have planned?
Peik Ching: I’m currently a Manager in the Nutrition Department of Adult and Elderly Health Division. Together with my team members, we hope to create a conducive culture in HPB to help everyone eat healthily! Actually, healthy eating is not difficult at all! It can certainly start at workplaces and here at HPB!
Look out for healthy servings at our canteen and 7 Eleven outlet. The Nutrition Sub-Committee will look into the evaluation of Café operators in HPB. Watch out for a link in eFMS that will give you to a list of healthier caterers. This comes in handy when you want to make reservations for events.
Have you heard of fruit vending machines? Are you ready to see a fruit vending machine in HPB? It’s coming your way soon! Not to mention the weekly fruit bazaar and twice annually Healthier Choice Symbol (HCS) bazaar that we’ll be organising!
Besides these, here are some of the programmes that we’ll be organising:
- Wonder how to achieve or maintain a healthy weight? Look out for the ‘Weigh to Go’ Weight Management Programme to pick up practical tips to manage your weight
- ‘Join the cooking demo by our ‘Wok the Talk’ healthy cooking ambassadors to learn some healthy eating tips and how to prepare healthy dishes. This is not meant for ‘obasan’ a.k.a aunties only, everyone is welcomed!
- Come join us at Healthier Food Trail, guaranteed that you will not get lost. Not forgetting the healthy eating workshop/talks for staff. The Healthier Food Trail is a half-day experiential tour that introduces participants to healthier hawker and restaurant food, as well as educating them on how to choose healthier food in supermarkets