Unipart Group, was last night named the winner of the Bupa Wellbeing at work award in Business in the Community’s 2016 Responsible Business Awards held at the O2 in London.
The award recognised Unipart’s robust approach to employee wellbeing through a programme called Unipart WorkWell, which encourages and supports employees to lead healthier lives. The company was proud to be among other leading companies in the finals including: Marks and Spencer, BAM Nuttall and Morgan Sindall, Visualsoft and Northstar Housing Group.
As part of the programme, Unipart has arranged health checks, gym and fitness sessions, stress workshops, mental health awareness training, stop smoking clinics and provides all employees with access to a 24-hour helpline.
More than a quarter of all Unipart employees having taken part in one of the Unipart WorkWell events and as a result the company have seen a year-on-year increase in employee engagement levels. In addition, the company has also reduced absence and made an estimated saving of £330,000. The programme has also strengthened the Unipart’s reputation as one of the safest companies in the world to work for by assisting in winning seven British Safety Council Swords of Honour in 2015.
Unipart Chairman and Group Chief Executive John Neill said:
“Our wellbeing programme is very much aligned to The Unipart Way, which is our philosophy of working and underpins everything we do.
“Through Unipart WorkWell we encourage and help our people to take personal responsibility for their own health and wellbeing, improve their quality of life and help them understand the impact of their actions and decisions on the wellbeing of others. It’s no surprise that when you get this right, it links directly to higher levels of employee engagement and greater productivity.”
Commenting on the win, Beth Robotham, Head of Business Development, Bupa who chaired the judging panel said:
"Unipart’s entry is a fantastic example of how investing in health and wellbeing has a meaningful impact when aligned to the existing culture of the business. The panel was impressed by the flexible approach of Unipart’s Workwell model, which was underpinned by strong stakeholder engagement - a critical factor to success. The framework of their multi-faceted, practical and people-led strategy can be applied in many other business environments and their results are inspiring for those who want to start their own journey in this space.”
Almost 300 companies entered the 2016 Responsible Business Awards. The winners represent the varied ways that businesses can make a sustained difference, tackling a breadth of issues from youth unemployment, mental health and wellbeing to international disaster relief and the Ebola crisis.
Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community said:
“The Responsible Business Awards provide the proof that from the largest global multinational to the smallest local firm, business is a powerful force for good in society. This year we have seen some profound examples of what business can achieve when it puts responsibility at the heart of its operations. I congratulate Unipart Group for the practical action it has taken to build a fairer world and more sustainable future."
For more information on the Awards including the full list of finalists and their case studies, visit http://www.bitc.org.uk/awardstories