Work Well PEC

Group creates resources for employee rights in the County

Work Well Prince Edward County held an open-house at the Wellinton and District Community Centre this past Monday and the community rallied behind it, with local food and wine purveyors donating both their time and their products to make it happen.

It’s all in aid of an initiative that is sending some much-needed positivity and support to people in the County who may need it. In a time where a lot of dark talk and anger has come out of this area, the Work Well PEC has emerged with new energy and clarity. Work Well PEC is designed to be a place to come for resources on how to create and maintain a safe and happy work environment. The intention is for the group to become a champion for employee rights in the County and create a network that reaches all corners of this region. A network where if someone has an issue or a complaint in the workplace, their concerns are respected and treated with sincerity. It’s support that also goes both ways. Work Well PEC is looking to build up both the employer and employee in regards to employee health and safety. Businesses looking for help in implementing safe workplace and sexual harassment policies can use it as a resource. On the flip side, employees looking to report any unsafe work environments can also use it if they feel that’s the best avenue for them. At a time when a dark cloud hangs over the standards of our work environment here in the County, Work Well PEC is leading the charge back in the other direction, with help and support in many forms. The group also admits that they are just out of the starting gate, and require as much input from the community as possible to know where the support is needed the most. Katy McIntyre is the founding partner of Work Well PEC along with Kathleen Chattock.

(L-R): Katy McIntyre and Kathleen Chattock from Work Well PEC explaining their motivation for the organization at the open house, held Monday at the Wellington and District Community Centre.

“This is a kickoff to what we hope will be a network that will grow and spread throughout Prince Edward County. We are all concerned about health, wellness, safety and satisfaction in all our workplaces. Wherever you may work, whether it’s in the service industry, or a family business, or in an office. We are a community here in Prince Edward County and we are here to support each other, share what we can and give ideas that may help,” says McIntyre.

For Chattock, motivation for starting the group came directly in the wake of the Norman Hardie situation and how the community was reacting to it. Chattock knew that as a former employee at Norman Hardie’s she wanted to do something to help, but did not know the proper way until Work Well PEC came into focus.

“We felt like it was a good time to rally the community and show everyone that we are not just one instance, that we are capable of being a stronger, happier, more accepting community and part of doing that is making sure that our employers are stepping up and providing safer workplaces for their employees, and that employees understand the resources available to them,” says Chattock.

Work Well PEC is hoping that the website and subsequent resources will be used as a touchstone for the public to get the answers, highlight services or be directed to the right place to find the answer. They have HR policies for people to look over on the net, as well off-site training opportunities— and a possible help line in the works.

For McIntyre, it’s about providing something of value to people who need it.

“Lots of community organizations have donated their HR policies, and we have some that have been written by HR managers. If you are a business of two to five people you don’t have to hire someone to create a policy, you’re welcome to anything we have. We aim to be facilitators with the momentum always moving forward,” says McIntyre.

To strengthen the case of Work Well PEC finding the connections to help those in need, members of the Alternatives for Women and the Quinte Sexual Assault Centre were also on hand at the open-house to provide info about their programs. Representatives from both stated that they were pleased to be involved with such an important new cause. By donating their time and efforts to create Work Well PEC, Chattock and McIntyre have started a movement towards healing and prevention. Many in the community were left wondering what they could do to effect some change after the Norman Hardie allegations arose. People close to the situation want to help, but have no way to contribute or make the situation any better. Work Well PEC has taken the lead by starting a network of support so that people working in this County know that there is someone aside from their employers looking out for their well-being. Their openness to start a dialogue about how their new group should proceed is refreshing and sends the public the message that they are interested in hearing what everyone has to say.

For more information on Work Well PEC, visit www.workwellpec.com