The Environment Agency has been named as the number one employer for workplace mental wellbeing in the Workplace wellbeing index awards 2017-2018, compiled by mental health charity Mind.
The awards, now in their second year, celebrate and recognise employers who are promoting and supporting positive mental health in the workplace, as well as act to benchmark best policies and practices. Organisations that enter the awards are ranked based on a series of assessments, for example a staff survey, with employers categorised as gold, silver or bronze.
Gold employers are those which have successfully embedded mental health into their policies and practices, demonstrating a long-term and in-depth commitment to staff mental health.
For 2017-2018, 75 organisations participated in the Workplace wellbeing index awards. Organisations that achieved gold status include charity CancerCare, Companies House, Dr Challoner’s Grammer School, Historic England, financial institution Intertrust Guernsey, Jacobs Engineering Group, LSI Architects and RBC Wealth Management.
This is the second consecutive year that The Environment Agency has topped the list of gold-ranked employers. In particular, it was recognised for its employee network around mental health, its awareness raising activities and for training staff and line managers to spot the symptoms of mental health conditions and signpost where individuals can find support.
The awards ceremony took place on Tuesday 17 April 2018 at BMA House, London and was hosted by writer, communicator and strategist Alastair Campbell, who is best known for his role as the Labour party’s press secretary and director of communications and strategy.
A number of individual awards were also presented, including the Champion award, the Line manager award, the Wellbeing lead award and the Senior leader award.
James Bevan, chief executive officer at The Environment Agency, said: “I'm delighted that the Environment Agency has won this award. A healthy workforce means a more productive workforce. And an inclusive culture makes work more life-enhancing.
“The fact that we're number one in the index again shows just how much work is going on across the Environment Agency to ensure all of us feel free to talk openly about mental health issues and know where to get help and support if we need it. Our staff-led mental health network is doing a tremendous job, backed up by tools and information provided through our wellbeing team. I'm proud of the real difference this is making.”
Emma Mamo, head of workplace wellbeing at Mind, added: “We want to congratulate the Environment Agency for topping the board at this year’s Workplace Wellbeing Index awards, for the second year running. The Environment Agency has once again demonstrated that it is at the forefront of creating mentally healthy workplaces, which involves tackling stress and supporting the mental wellbeing of the entire workforce, including employees that might be struggling with their mental health.
“This year, we’ve been overwhelmed to see so much good practice right across the board, from each and every one of the diverse employers that took part. The awards event provided an opportunity to recognise forward-thinking employers like the Environment Agency, who are at the cutting edge when it comes to investing in their staff wellbeing, and, in turn, getting the best outcomes for their business.”
