Stagecoach West has over one thousand employees and credits the Healthy Workplace scheme with reducing sickness absence and improving staff morale.

Stagecoach West has been recognised for the work it does to support its employees’ health and wellbeing in Gloucestershire by achieving the enhanced level of accreditation through the Healthy Workplaces Gloucestershire award.

The Healthy Workplaces Award is a county standard of good practice and a quality mark of health and wellbeing in the workplace. Organisations are assessed through a series of online standards and commitments in a range of health areas from healthy eating to personal safety. 

Stagecoach West has over one thousand employees’ and credits the Healthy Workplace scheme with reducing sickness absence and improving staff morale. Jenny Powell, Health and Wellbeing Manager at Stagecoach West explains: “The biggest impact has been on members of our front-line team, a number of whom have commented on the positive effect the programme has had on their everyday roles. In addition, the scheme has helped us reduce staff sick days by almost a day per year per employee, whilst our staff turnover has been reduced from 25 percent to an impressive 16 percent. It doesn’t matter how big or small your organisation is, the programme can be scaled up or down depending on the resources you have available.

“We are delighted to have been awarded the healthy workplace award. The accreditation process was really straightforward and the support from the Healthy Workplace coaches really helped to get the whole organisation on board.”

Commenting on his experiences of the Healthy Workplace scheme, Chris Martin, Bus Driver and Wellbeing Champion for the Stagecoach Stroud Depot said: “Since establishing our Wellbeing Team at the end of 2018, we have successfully developed practices to enable us to react quickly and support those colleagues who need help. In addition, we have assisted managers in understanding the wider issues that are affecting their team, and actively promoted healthy practices in the workplace.

“We know that mental wellbeing can have a profound effect on our lives both in and outside of the workplace, which is why schemes like this are so important, particularly during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, with many of our colleagues working from home or shielding. Two years into the scheme, I am proud to say that all staff are engaged and trust that they can approach us with any problems they are currently facing. Wellbeing is no longer just an initiative for Stagecoach West but an integral part of what we do.”                                                                                                                                  

The Healthy Workplaces Gloucestershire award supports organisations to improve their culture and working environment by providing opportunities to make lifestyle changes like healthy eating or quitting smoking for employees.

If you would like to register your workplace, or find out more information on the Healthy Workplaces scheme, please visit www.hwglos.org or call the team on 0800 122 3788.