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Welcome to the Better Health At Work Award portal

 

Better Health at Work Award Employer Guide

Employer Guide

The Better Health at Work Award recognises the efforts of employers in the North East and Cumbria in addressing health issues within the workplace.  The award scheme is FREE, flexible and open to all employers in participating local authority areas, regardless of size, location or type of business.

Many organisations already promote healthy lifestyles and consider the health of their employees.  This Award will recognise the achievements of these organisations and help 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 encouraging a healthy workforce.

 

Click to download the Employer guide on the left to find out more.

The Business Case

Promoting a healthy workplace has considerable benefits for employers and can lead to decreased absenteeism, increased productivity and improved performance.

The business case

Award Criteria

There are 6 levels  – Foundation, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Continuing Excellence and Maintaining Excellence, with appropriate criteria at each stage to build into an Award Portfolio.

Award criteria

Case Studies

Read about our success stories, covering a wide variety of organisations across the north east.

Case studies

Organisations are given up to a year per level, but there is flexibility for those who need it. Every employer/organisation who signs-up to participate in the Award scheme is supported by a dedicated Workplace Health Improvement Specialist.


Taking part in the Award does not affect the participant’s obligation to comply with the law, including health and safety and employment law.  It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure they are legally compliant in these matters and, therefore, the awarding body cannot be held accountable for any shortfalls in legislative compliance as a result of participation in the scheme.

"The Award allows us to address a wide range of health topics, from mental health and stress to physical activity and nutrition and provides a structure to ensure each topic includes several initiatives each year.

These campaigns and initiatives help raise awareness and promote healthier lifestyle choices among University employees. 

BHAWA has provided a solid foundation for our Health and Wellbeing Action Plan and underpins our organisational Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Pursuing the award (Maintaining Excellence) ensures that the Health and Wellbeing of our staff remains a top priority as we share information and resources and deliver meaningful campaigns."

 

- Teesside University, Middlesbrough, Maintaining Excellence Level achieved 2024

At the plant, we really wanted to support our Employees Health and Wellbeing as we transitioned back to normal business, following the Global Pandemic. This award provided us with the structure we needed to develop and launch the Health and Wellbeing plant wide strategy.

Not only does the award provide us with a criteria and structure to follow, it also allows us to focus on topics which we may not have considered previously. In addition, it provides us a network with other local businesses to allow us to benchmark and share best practices.  

 

- Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd, Sunderland

"We loved the fact that the award has a local focus about wellbeing in the North-East. The framework it provides is exceptional.

The support and network are invaluable. You don't feel like you're starting from scratch, there's always someone with an idea of what they've tried.

The portal is great. It has a huge number of resources and it's easy to use and access. It's helped us with campaigns where we've less experience, and they're now part of our annual calendar".

 

- Karbon Homes, Newcastle, Maintaining Excellence Level achieved 2024

"We joined the Award to promote a healthier, happier workplace and provide our team with tools and encouragement to improve wellbeing both at work and at home. It offers a structured approach that aligns with our commitment to supporting our people.

The Award has been a great motivator, helping us focus our wellbeing efforts and create meaningful activities for staff. The advice and resources provided have been invaluable in shaping our campaigns and engaging our team in positive, lasting change".

 

- SUEZ TeesValley, Stockton, Maintaining Excellence Level achieved 2024

The award is a declaration of our commitment to building a healthy and happy workplace culture for every employee. Designing a positive and engaging health and wellbeing offer where health inequalities are reduced is so important to us and we know we will achieve this with the support of BHAWA.

The award process provides structure for Better Health at Work. It provides support, guidance and networking opportunities to learn and improve. The opportunity to collaborate and hear about others practice across the region is always inspiring, we always come away buzzing with ideas.

- Sunderland City Council, Sunderland

"We recognise the importance of prioritising employee health and wellbeing, not just as a responsibility but as a core part of our culture and values. 

The Award has really helped us to move from ad-hoc initiatives to a more strategic, proactive and sustainable approach to supporting our people and wider communities. We particularly like the sense of community and shared learning with the Award coordinators and other workplaces who make wellbeing a workplace priority". 

 

- END. Sunderland, Maintaining Excellence Level achieved 2024
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