Last month, my esteemed colleague and international health expert, Trevor Shilton announced in his monthly Business News column that our Recognised Healthy Workplace program had been launched.
He spoke about how Edith Cowan University had achieved gold recognition for their commitment to the health and wellbeing of their workers and wrote that the benefits of becoming a Recognised Healthy Workplace included enhancing the reputation of one’s business, being recognised as an employer of choice, and improving one’s staff retention.
Well, that generated quite a response! Since then, the West Australian business community has moved quickly with many workplaces eager to apply to become a Recognised Healthy Workplace.
Almost 20 WA workplaces are already recognised and the numbers are growing by the day.
It’s really exciting to know that workplaces from across all sectors are applying. That means there is a real desire amongst WA organisations to address their workers’ health.
It was also great to see that WA-based survey and geospatial firm McMullen Nolan Group (MNG) had recently been recognised as a healthy workplace.
MNG claimed silver as a result of a workplace health program that supports healthy behaviours through the provision of workplace facilities such as bike storage, end of journey facilities, and food and water eskies for staff that work in the field.
Amongst other initiatives, the company also allows staff time during the workday to attend Pilates sessions and education seminars provided by the company. Sporting event registrations are also subsidised.
MNG Health, Safety and Environmental Rep. Martin Cole said he was delighted that MNG had achieved recognition as a Recognised Healthy Workplace.
"MNG’s number one priority is for the health, safety and wellbeing of its workers, whether they are in the office or in the field.
“This recognition acknowledges the hard work of MNG to support our workers’ health. It’s a great result.”
There is no doubt that the level of interest in the Recognised Healthy Workplace program is growing. In fact, we have ambitions to recognise more than fifty workplaces prior to June 2015.
To apply to become a Recognised Healthy Workplace, an organisation must first have a workplace health and wellbeing program. Workplaces can begin one of their own by visiting www.healthierworkplacewa.com.au and downloading the free resources.
Workplaces that have an existing workplace health and wellbeing program and would like to apply for recognition can visit www.healthierworkplacewa.com.au/get-recognised and submit an application online.
Workplaces that are successful in applying for recognition will receive a certificate; plus a bronze, silver or gold icon to display in their workplace, on their website or on job ads to attract new staff.
For more information, visit www.healthierworkplacewa.com.au or call 1300 550 271.
