April 8, 2013 – In October 2012, PSHSA spearheaded the Indicators Project: an initiative funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC), through HealthForceOntario, to develop a set of core, consensus-based healthy and safe workplace indicators for Ontario’s publicly funded community and healthcare organizations. The objective was for these indicators to be integrated into accountability agreements and utilized to support reporting on quality as legislated by the ministry’s Excellent Care for All Act.

The project resulted in a recommended set of seven evidence-informed, consensus-based indicators for measuring healthy and safe workplaces across Ontario’s healthcare organizations. The indicators were selected after extensive research, stakeholder consultation and stakeholder consensus.

The following indicators have been recommended to the MOHLTC for consideration and for potential use in future accountability agreements.

Five indicators are ready for implementation:

• Turnover
• Absenteeism
• Workers Compensation Composite
• Manager/Supervisor Training
• Training & Professional Development

Two additional indicators have tremendous support, but will require additional development to reach consensus on an accepted measure:

• Risk Assessment
• Employee Engagement Climate

The Indicators Project report is now complete and provides an overview of the project’s process, the current environment and the consultation findings. The report is available for download in French and English on the Healthy Work Environments portal at www.healthyworkenvironments.ca.

Thank you to our project Steering Committee and to all stakeholders that participated in the project and provided valuable feedback. Additional thanks to HealthForceOntario and the MOHLTC for supporting and funding this important initiative to keep Ontario workers healthy and safe.