Browne Jacobson takes proactive approach to employee wellbeing

Browne Jacobson takes a preventative approach to health and wellbeing in a bid to minimise its employee sickness absence levels.

The law firm’s 700-plus employees have access to a range of initiatives that have a dual aim of preventing long-term absence and optimising employees’ workplace health.

The employer’s sport and social club, for example, has been running subsidised lunchtime pilates classes for nearly six months, and were so popular that a waiting list had to be introduced. Netball and running clubs are also on offer.

Helen Whitt, HR advisor at Browne Jacobson, says: “It’s not just about people being poorly and absent, it’s about [them] being fit and healthy at work.”

Wellbeing room

Browne Jacobson’s new office design in Nottingham boasts a wellbeing room in which employees can use for any reason, be it for time out from the workplace, prayers, mothers expressing milk, or for staff with back problems to carry out exercises.

Healthcare benefits, provided by Aviva UK Health include a group income protection scheme, which features an early intervention service that advises staff of available support, such as counselling or pain relief.

The employer also offers an employee assistance programme (EAP), which gives staff a channel through which to receive advice, be it personal, work or financial, and a fully-funded private medical insurance (PMI), which it offers through its flexible benefits scheme. Staff can choose to fund cover for their partners or dependents.