Introduction
WHAT IS HEALTHY WORKING LIVES?
The Healthy Working Lives (HWL) Awards is a Scottish Government initiative launched in 2006 to encourage employers to promote a safer and healthier workforce. The programme builds on the legacy of the former Scotland's Health at Work (SHAW) initiative.
The HWL Award Programme recognises that looking after the health, safety and wellbeing of employees is not only good for the individual, but also contributes to reduced sickness absence, fewer workplace accidents, greater productivity and increased efficiency.
Health promotion remains an important element of the new programme but it also has a broader agenda by encompassing health and safety, occupational health, health in the community, employability, health and the environment, and an increased focus on mental health and well-being.
The HWL Award Programme is designed to encourage and support organisations to achieve a healthier workplace and recognise good practice. The framework is flexible, covering a wide range of topics enabling organisations to select those most relevant to their own workplace. The programme has three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each level consists of compulsory core criteria and additional optional criteria which will provide a balanced approach to health in the workplace.
The HWL Mental Health and Well-being Commendation Award is an additional accolade which rewards good practice in promoting mental health and well-being in the workplace. It sets a workplace standard for practice in promoting positive mental health and well-being, supporting staff with mental health problems in the workplace and reducing barriers to recruiting staff with a history of mental health problems.
The award programme is supported by:
the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Scotland, the Federations of Small Businesses (FSB), the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), the Scottish Government, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), NHS Scotland, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), Jobcentre Plus, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
For more information on Healthy Working Lives visit http://www.healthyworkinglives.com/ 