Better health at work

For too long, the North East has had a reputation for being an ‘unhealthy’ place to live and work; unfortunately borne out by shocking life expectancy rates and high long-term sickness and disability figures.

To help combat this, a partnership project unique to the North East was created and the Better Health at Work Award was established to take health and wellbeing into the workplace.

This partnership has now been taken forward by the Northern TUC, with the support and endorsement from the UK Health Security Agency and Newcastle City Council along with other regional Local Authorities.

Workplace Health is an important and integral part of the regional public health strategy and is even more relevant in these challenging times when companies need to use every tool available to ensure their productivity and competitiveness.

With more than 400 regional employers participating in the scheme so far, as well as the very favourable findings of at least two independent evaluations, both the need for and effectiveness of the Award for all concerned is clear.

Individuals benefit from increased access to health information and interventions where they wouldn't normally - in more than one instance, workplace activity generated by the Award has potentially saved lives - identifying dangerously high cholesterol levels and early-stage cancers.

At the same time, employers benefit from improved morale, dramatically lower levels of absenteeism and increased productivity. 

Taking part in the award is a win, win for employers. 

• The Better Health at Work Award recognises the efforts of local employers in addressing health issues within the workplace.
• The award scheme is FREE, flexible and open to ALL employers in the North East and Cumbria, regardless of size, location or type of business.
• Many organisations already promote healthy lifestyles and consider the health of their employees. This Award recognises the achievements of these organisations and helps them move forward in a structured and supported way. For those organisations who have not considered promoting health at work, taking part in this award will help you reap the rewards of facilitating a healthy workplace.