Investing in workplace health

11 July 2011

“A healthy and happy workforce is also a productive one”, says Jim Cole from the University’s Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Unit.

As part of this commitment to the health and well-being of its staff, the University is currently working towards obtaining the Corporate Health Standard –the quality mark for workplace health promotion in Wales.

The Corporate Health Standard (CHS), awarded by the Welsh Government and facilitated by Public Health Wales, is presented in bronze, silver, gold and platinum categories to public, private and third sector organisations implementing practices to promote the health and well-being of their employees

For staff at Cardiff, the Standard will signify a mark of quality and commitment by the University for the welfare of its staff. From ensuring nutritionally balanced meals are available at all of the University’s catering outlets, to raising the awareness of stress and mental health issues in the workplace, CHS accreditation means that staff can expect to receive the very best health related information and support available. 

The assessment, which will take place later this year, will examine the services the University provides to support staff in various areas of health and well-being as well as how preventable ill health issues are dealt with. As part of the assessment process staff will be asked about their awareness of the services available and where they go to find this information.

Jim Cole from the University’s Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Unit hopes that obtaining the Corporate Health Standard will raise awareness of the services and support available across the entire University, he said: “The University has a wide variety of health promotion initiatives in place.

“Participating in the assessment has steered a more corporate organised approach to the many different activities that were taking place across the institution. Gaining the Corporate Health Standard will provide recognition to the substantive commitment in this area, while providing a foundation and structure on which we can strive to achieve better levels of health and wellbeing and business success in the future.”

The promotion of health and general well-being as part of a positive working environment has been embedded in the University’s culture for many years. The Positive Health and Environment Week, which is currently underway, illustrates the many support services and activities already in place at the University.

For details of the many ways in which the University can support your health and well-being visit: www.cardiff.ac.uk/for/staff/wellbeingatwork/index.html

For more information on the Corporate Health Standard, click here