Workplace Wellbeing Award Winners

From left to right: Alan Quinlan – Mercer (awards sponsors), Marie Therese Kilmartin – Coláiste Bríde, Sinead Doherty – Fenero, Mary Malone – Central Statistics Office and Dr. Muireann Cullen, NHF
Photography, Naoise Culhane

by Dr. Muireann Cullen, Manager at Nutrition & Health Foundation

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) was named Ireland’s best large employer at the inaugural Nutrition & Health Foundation National Workplace Wellbeing awards, which recognise employers that make a significant contribution towards improving the health and wellbeing of their employees. Coláiste Bríde, a 100-teacher secondary school in Clondalkin, Dublin 22 won the award for the best medium size organisation while personal tax advisers Fenero, also from Dublin, were named best small company.

The awards were among a host of activities taking place across the country to mark Ireland’s second National Workplace Wellbeing Day, which is organised by the Nutrition & Health Foundation (NHF).

Proudly sponsored by Mercer, the NHF Workplace Wellbeing Awards showcase the great work that Irish companies are doing in the area of workplace wellbeing and to give recognition to those who put their employees’ wellbeing first. In addition, these awards are designed to celebrate organisations who demonstrate best practice. Hopefully they also create the impetus for others to value the health and wellbeing of their employees (feel like I am preaching to the converted here). As we have learnt, organisations who do offer tangible wellness initiatives often demonstrate increased employee engagement along with many other benefits to both the employees and the organisation overall.
The awards were announced at a special seminar in Croke Park for employers. The judging panel comprised of John Tracey, CEO, Sports Ireland, Mary Connaughton, Director, CIPD Ireland and Finbarr Kiely, Principal at Mercer.

Any organisation operating in the Republic of Ireland and running a workplace wellbeing initiative was invited to participate. We were delighted with the response received and it proved difficult to pick outright winners at times. However, our experienced judges Finbarr Kiely, Principal at Mercer, Mary Connaughton, CEO of CIPD Ireland and John Tracey CEO of Sports Ireland met this challenge with great enthusiasm. I am sure there were a few heated discussions at times.

We, the NHF hope these companies will inspire more employers to do more in this area. Employee wellbeing is central to staff retention and productivity levels. Our recent study showed that seven in ten (69%) employees are more likely to stay longer with employers who show an interest in their health. Employers are responding. More employees have access today to health and wellbeing initiatives within the workplace than they did in 2014 but more can be done.

Niall O’Callaghan, Partner at Mercer commented: Promoting employee wellness is good for business, good for employees and good for the companies for whom they work. It makes simple business sense that employers who provide support and resources to help staff manage stress and wellbeing will see dividends in terms of improved productivity, morale and lower staff turnover. Given our own positive experience in promoting workplace wellbeing within Mercer, I am delighted by our association with the 2016 Workplace Wellbeing Awards. Congratulations to all of the winners and to all of the companies who participated.”

By taking part in these awards there are numerous benefits to an employer:
– Obtain national recognition for your organisation’s health and wellbeing strategy.
– Enhance your ‘Employer of Choice’ status.
– Raise your profile.
– Encourage pride within your team.
– Be seen as an exceptional business.

Employees have more access today to health and wellbeing initiatives within the workplace than before but more can be done.