LATEST RESEARCH

People. Planet. Performance.

Building a healthy workforce, strong organizations, and a sustainable planet requires collective action. When workplaces invest in employee well-being, strengthen environmental sustainability, and improve organizational performance, each area reinforces the others. Together, these efforts create resilient organizations, thriving communities, and a more sustainable future.

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This research project explored how employers measure worker well-being, environmental sustainability, and organizational performance and addressed a critical gap: most organizations assessed these areas separately, if at all. As a result of this work, an evidence-based assessment is now available for organizations to use to evaluate and strengthen all three areas in an integrated way.

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Why This Research Matters

Organizations play a vital role in shaping healthier communities and a sustainable economy. Workplaces faced growing pressures and expectations:​

• Rising mental health challenges and workplace stress

• Increasing sustainability expectations and reporting demands

• Limited tools and resources, especially for small and mid-sized organizations

• Complex frameworks that were difficult to implement

• A need for reliable data to guide decisions and investments

 

Evidence showed that organizations investing in well-being and sustainability improved engagement, innovation, retention, efficiency, and resilience.

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Working together to address these challenges helps build healthier workplaces and a stronger future for all.

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What This Research Project Accomplished

This research project:​

• Assessed how Canadian organizations currently measure well-being, sustainability, and performance

• Reviewed national and international standards, regulations, and best practices

• Identified meaningful indicators and metrics across all three areas

• Developed and validated an integrated assessment and index

• Is supporting adoption across different sectors and organizational sizes

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How Organizations Benefit

Organizations that take an integrated approach can:​

• Strengthen employee well-being and engagement

• Improve performance, productivity, and retention

• Reduce environmental impact and support sustainability goals

• Align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Build resilience, credibility, and long-term competitiveness

 

This work is especially important for small and medium-sized organizations, which make up the majority of Canada’s workforce and are essential partners in building sustainable communities.

 

Who Led This Work

• Funders: Wellness Works Canada and Mitacs

• ​Academic Supervisor: Dr. Sylvie Albert

• Research Team:

  • Victoria Grainger

  • Dr. Rotimi A. Owoade MiM, MBA, FCIB, SBSP™

  • Rudan Deng ​

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Our Approach

This research project combined evidence-based research with practical action to support meaningful change:​

• National surveys and data collection

• Literature and standards review

• Focus groups and stakeholder testing

• Development and validation of an integrated assessment tool

• Knowledge sharing through publications and presentations

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Be Part of the Solution!

Every organization has a role to play in creating a healthier workforce, a stronger economy, and a more sustainable planet.

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The evidence-based assessment developed through this research is now available for use, providing clear insights and practical steps to strengthen well-being, sustainability, and performance across your organization.

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Join the movement toward healthier people, stronger organizations, and a sustainable future.

 

Access the assessment and be part of the solution today.

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• To see the executive summary of the survey results click here. ​

• To view the literature review, click here.

• To view the assessment tool, click here.