The Royal Mail Group wins award for tackling sickness absence

The Royal Mail Group has won an award after reducing its sickness absence rate by 7% in one year, saving the organisation more than £15 million.

Royal Mail’s health and wellbeing programme, which demonstrates the value of each employee’s contribution to the organisation, has earned it the accolade of the Business in the Community (BITC) Example of Excellence in the category Healthy Workplace Award.

Services provided to employees include health screenings, advice on health, nutrition and wellbeing, health events targeted at both men and women, a confidential helpline, face-to-face counselling and an online screening facility.

Adam Bowles, head of corporate responsibility and engagement services at Royal Mail, said: “Winning this award is recognition of the value that we place in our employees. Through working closely with Atos Healthcare, we have delivered a health and wellbeing programme that benefits all our employees while helping us to run our organisation more efficiently.”

Dr Will Cavendish, director of health and wellbeing in the Department of Health and a judge for the Healthy Workplace Award, said: “I congratulate Royal Mail for their achievement as Example of Excellence. They have shown leadership and commitment, and have driven through a programme that is both innovative and replicable, showing real impact to the bottom line and also to the health of their employees.

“The judges were particularly impressed by the scale and significance of their programme, particularly during a time of change and restructuring.”