Yahoo Finance Make A Difference: New awards champion workplace mental health and wellbeing
A newly established set of awards have set out to champion mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.
Sponsored by Royal Mail and Optima Health, the Make A Difference Awards celebrate those who have set an exceptional standard in improving work culture.
Judges selected a shortlist from 136 submissions, before the final vote was decided by the public.
Aldi was named the best Corporate Employer for supporting its employees beyond the workplace. The company’s MyWellness platform focuses on all areas of personal health and wellbeing - mental, physical, financial, nutritional, and social - and as a testament to its success has been visited by every employee since its launch.
The family culture at call intelligence provider Infinity saw it win the SME Employer category, while British Red Cross’s new free Volunteer Support Line won the top spot in the Public Sector/Charity category. The VSL was launched as a direct response to the pandemic, to ensure volunteers were able to maintain healthy balance in their lives.
Individuals were also recognised: Christine Howarth, Client Services and Mental Health Ally at Allen & Overy, was awarded the Unsung Hero award for supporting her colleagues. Over the pandemic she kept in touch regularly, writing about the work of the mental health allies, stress awareness, and lockdown lifelines.
Managing Director of Tobermore Concrete, David Henderson, was awarded the True Leader gong for his commitment to easing the potential financial stresses of his employees. His nomination stated: “David always thinks of his people first. During the COVID 19 pandemic he went over and above to ensure his employees have felt as secure as possible in these difficult times”. Initiatives included furloughed employees being paid a full salary at the beginning of the pandemic and the establishment of a full pay Covid sick pay scheme.
Dr Shaun Davis, Royal Mail’s Global Director of Compliance & Sustainability, said of the awards: “Entries for the awards showed that companies big and small have really taken on board the importance of mental health and wellbeing in a year that has been unlike any other. The judges were particularly impressed to see so many organisations nominated that they haven’t seen embracing this agenda before – demonstrating that workplace mental health and wellbeing are fast moving mainstream.”
Simon Arnold, CEO of Optima Health, added: “Mental health and wellbeing jumped straight to the top of the business agenda when the pandemic first hit and it was great to see so many organisations embracing new employee-centred initiatives.”
Meanwhile Claire Farrow, Partner & Global Director of Content at Make a Difference, said: “We launched the Make A Difference Awards as an opportunity to stop, think and thank the individuals and employers who have really made a difference to workplace mental health and wellbeing during what has been an incredibly tough year. These organisations and individuals lead the way and inspire others to follow their example.”
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