WIREDGOV

Employers who have worked to improve the health and wellbeing of their staff were celebrated at an awards ceremony at Cardiff City Stadium recently.

The event was also an opportunity for employers to learn more about how they can encourage and support staff to eat a healthier, balanced diet to improve the wider health and productivity of the workforce

Deputy Minister for Health Vaughan Gething presented awards to Welsh businesses promoting healthy working environments at the Healthy Working Wales awards 2015.

Healthy Working Wales provides free support and advice to employers to manage key health issues in the workplace. It is designed to improve an organisation’s performance and reduce the costs and burden of ill health and absence through one-to-one support, training events and workshops and online and telephone information and guidance.

More than 260 employers have received awards and a further 307 employers are engaged in Healthy Working Wales, working towards recognition.  

Mr Gething said:

“The workplace is recognised as a priority setting for health protection and improvement by the World Health Organisation, which is reflected in our Programme for Government.

“We know sickness absence is costly for businesses and individuals.  A healthy working environment can play a key role in improving physical health and wellbeing.

“I am pleased to see the latest Healthy Working Wales award winners are both large and small workplaces, representing the private, public and third sectors.  

“I would like to congratulate all employers receiving the small workplace health award and the corporate health standard award. I am grateful for their commitment to improving the lives of their staff and helping to deliver our shared vision of a healthy, working Wales.”