Friday 14th July 2006
Parcelforce Worldwide awarded the UnumProvident Healthy Workplaces Award
Parcelforce Worldwide has been awarded the UnumProvident Healthy Workplaces Award by Business in the Community (BitC) for its commitment to creating a safer workplace and a healthier workforce.
The award, which was presented on Wednesday evening, recognised the impact of Parcelforce Worldwide’s investment of £2.25 million into a centrally-managed but locally-devised health programme, which has saved the company £6million in direct costs by reducing absence and promoting wellbeing among employees and wider society.
UnumProvident, the UK’s leading disability insurer and a keen promoter of the importance of health in the workplace, sponsored the award.
Business in the Community’s Awards for Excellence are the most prestigious responsibility awards in the UK. The Awards recognise companies for integrating responsible business practice into their mainstream operations resulting in a positive impact in the workplace, the marketplace, the environment or the community.
This year’s awards were announced in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales, who is President of Business in the Community.
“Company loyalty, productivity and staff retention are the obvious benefits that accrue if businesses respond to the wake-up call of responsible business practice. These winners demonstrate the clear business case for investing in human capital,” said Graham Bann, Workplace and Diversity Director, Business in the Community.
Joanne Hindle, Corporate Services Director at UnumProvident, commented: “Our own research has revealed that millions of British workers are denied access to the basic components of a healthy workplace – healthy food, exercise facilities, regular health check-ups and even access to an independent colleague with whom stress and work-related issues can be discussed.
“The number of hours people spend at work makes the workplace the ideal environment in which to promote healthy lifestyles and general wellbeing. Employers must be encouraged to take an active role in helping employees to eat well and look after themselves physically and mentally. In the long-term this investment will almost certainly be repaid with lower levels of sickness absence and increased levels of productivity.”
Danone UK Ltd received a National Highly Commended award for its Active Health programme, which is focused around the four 4 main axes of an individual’s life; health, food, life management and work.
ENDS