The program content is organized in a user friendly, interactive format. The seminar setting provides an opportunity to introduce information to shiftworkers so that they can develop a framework of personal strategies for coping with shiftwork and the challenges it poses.

The Employee Guidebook is the foundation of the Shifting to Wellness Employee Program. The Guidebook serves as a valuable tool for employees both during and after the seminar. It is filled with valuable information, tips, recipes, and personal inventories that both encourages active participation in the seminar and provides a take-away reference for employees and their families to use at home.

The following topics are covered in the Employee Program:

Introduction

• Details on the purpose and format of the Shifting to Wellness program and manual.

Background Information on Shiftwork

• To understand the positive elements of shiftwork.
  
• To understand the key factors which impact shiftworkers.
  
• To describe the lifestyle issues that are most often affected by shiftwork.
  
• To outline the common themes of concern for shiftworkers.
  
• To be able to take the necessary steps to develop action plans for dealing effectively with shiftwork issues and concerns.
  
• To be able to share the key information with families, friends and co-workers.
  
• To be able to articulate overall increased awareness and understanding for shifting to wellness.

A New Look at Shiftwork

• To explore mindsets about shiftwork.
  
• To be able to list advantages of working shifts.
  
• To be able to list challenges of working shifts.
  
• To be able to prepare new scripts for talking about shiftwork.
  
• To be able to reflect on the importance of a positive attitude when working shifts.
  
• To be able to provide reliable information about shiftwork.

Understanding Your Circadian Rhythms, Maintaining Alertness, Managing Sleep, and Preventing the Impact of Fatigue

• To understand the link between the biological clock, sleep and alertness.
  
• To understand the role of sleep in overall wellness.
  
• To understand the impact of fatigue.
  
• To develop an action plan for addressing sleep as part of the shiftwork challenge.
  
• To develop skills for maintaining alertness and preventing the impact of fatigue.

Managing Change Positively

• To be able to recognize that changes required by shiftworkers can be managed.
  
• To be able to develop an action plan for change management.
  
• To be able to discuss the impact of change on individuals and families.

Managing Stress

• To be able to identify specific stressors in your life.
  
• To be aware of the effect of stress on the body; physically, emotionally and behaviorally.
  
• To be able to make adjustments from negative response to positive stress management.

Managing Time Positively

• To be able to effectively assess time use and time management techniques.
  
• To be able to develop effective plans for time management.
  
• To be able to recognize time management problems and respond with a positive approach.
  
• To be able to organize time allocation based on a priority system to ensure that the important tasks are addressed.
  
• To be able to apply time management strategies in shiftwork situations.

Healthy Eating (includes Nutrition for the Night Shift)

• To be able to develop effective healthy eating strategies for you and your family.
  
• To be able to understand and follow Canada’s Food Guide to healthy eating.
  
• To be able to balance nutrition guidelines with the challenges of shiftwork and family responsibilities.
  
• To understand the impact of nutrition on shiftworkers.

Active Living

• To understand the concepts and benefits of active living.
  
• To be aware of a variety of activities that contribute to active living.
  
• To identify strategies to incorporate physical activity into your shiftwork lifestyle.

Maintaining Spiritual, Cultural and Gender Awareness as Part of the Workplace Health Perspective

• To be able to understand the role of cultural, spirituality and gender awareness in overall wellness.
  
• To be able to be aware of the various needs and differences to be addressed as part of spiritual and cultural inclusion.
  
• To be able to plan for the inclusion of spiritual and cultural needs and awareness as part of planning for effective shiftwork schedules and needs.
  
• To be able to discuss different cultures and spirituality in positive, constructive ways.

Understanding the Impact of Shiftwork on Sexual Activity

• To understand the impact of shiftwork on sexual activity.
  
• To recognize the symptoms of sexual challenges.
  
• To understand the role of sexual health in fostering positive self-image and self-esteem.
  
• To understand the role of sexual activity in supporting healthy relationships.
  
• To understand the steps that can be taken to create healthy sexual activity when working a shiftwork schedule.

Relationships and Community

• To understand the challenges faced by shiftworkers and their families.
  
• To expand our current definition of family.
  
• To identify the challenges faced by “your” family and the shiftworker(s) in your family.
  
• To identify the challenges you face involving friends and community in your shiftwork schedule.
  
• To review hints, tips, techniques, ideas and suggestions and methods for address and dealing with these challenges.
  
• To develop an action plan to share with your family and friends, and to support ongoing approaches to dealing with shiftwork from a family and community perspective.