EXCLUSIVE: Information analytics organisation Elsevier has hosted a wellbeing day for 700 Oxford-based employees as part of its global health and wellbeing initiative, MindLife.
The inaugural wellbeing day, held in July 2019, aimed to promote the overall health and wellbeing of employees working at Elsevier’s Oxford operating site.
The wellbeing day enabled staff to participate in health checks, creative workshops and fitness classes. Former Olympic athlete and gold medalist Sally Gunnell OBE was also in attendance, presenting a keynote session that discussed the importance of a healthy and balanced lifestyle as well as sharing her top tips on building resilience.
In addition, Gunnell officially opened Elsevier’s new wellbeing room, a dedicated space designed to empower employees to prioritise their wellness and take time away from their work. The wellbeing day was communicated to staff via internal emails and on-site posters.
The organisation's global MindLife programme features five key pillars that aim to support the wellbeing of Elsevier’s 7,500-strong worldwide workforce; these include energising the body, nurturing the mind, career development, balancing lifestyle and working to protect the community. The pillars strive to address the employer's commitment to its staff as well as to its social responsibilities.
Moving forwards into 2019, the MindLife programme will adopt a financial wellbeing and mental health focus; Elsevier has trained 16 mental health first aiders in June 2019 to kickstart this activity. The organisation seeks to provide staff with the tools and techniques to optimise their energy and productivity at work.
Simon Helliwell, executive vice president, HR, at Elsevier, said: “Elsevier cares about the health and wellbeing of employees, both at home and at work, and takes seriously its responsibility as an employer.
“The launch of our new global wellbeing programme, MindLife, is a positive step to highlight the support available across our [organisation]. By launching MindLife, we will be raising awareness of the many different approaches our employees can take to support a [healthy] body and mind.”
