Johnson and Johnson and Adidas UK named Britain’s healthiest workplaces

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Healthcare organisation Johnson and Johnson, sportswear manufacturer Adidas UK and health and wellbeing provider Wellness International have been named Britain’s healthiest workplaces.

The study, undertaken by Vitality from January to August 2019, surveyed 23,500 UK employees regarding their lifestyle, mental wellbeing, clinical risk and productivity. It also looked at leadership, culture and organisational policies, practices and facilities that could directly impact on employee health.

Adidas UK was awarded the accolade for Best medium-sized organisation for the seventh year running, since the awards commenced in 2013. Johnson and Johnson has also won previously, having been named Healthiest large workplace in 2015.

Organisations were also commended in the categories of Most improved workplace, with Argos Financial Services winning Best medium-sized organisation in this field, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust for large-sized and recruitment specialists MPI for small.

Global engineering and design agency Arcadis UK (Holdings) won Best large-sized organisation in the Healthiest new entrant category, alongside law firm Taylor Wessing for medium-sized and financial services management consultancy BCS Consulting for small-sized.

All participating employers will receive an in-depth health profile, while employees who completed the survey will also receive an individual personal health report.

Neville Koopowitz, chief executive officer at Vitality, said:  “Vitality’s Britain’s healthiest workplace study provides a unique perspective into how employers can directly influence their employees’ health and wellbeing. The study is now in its seventh year and we have once again seen how a well-structured and comprehensive workplace wellness programme can lead to improved business performance.

“Employees’ poor lifestyles not only impact on their own health, but their [employers] are exposed to lost productivity and increased costs. When employers prioritise their employees’ health and wellbeing and provide accessible wellness interventions, they not only boost business performance, but ultimately contribute to their employees overall health, and in turn support society as a whole.”

Clare Sicklen, UK health and wellness HR lead at Johnson and Johnson, said: “We aspire to change the trajectory of health for humanity and to achieve this we know we need to have the world’s healthiest workforce.

“Winning Britain’s healthiest workplace is testament to that ambition and all the hard work that’s gone towards realising it. The award will inspire us to continue to put the health and wellness of our employees at the heart of what we do.”

Gavin Thomson, senior vice president and general manager, North Europe, at Adidas UK, added: “When it comes to our people, we recognise that just like our elite athletes, our employees need mental strength in their game as much as physical wellbeing. We’re very proud to win [the] Britain’s healthiest workplace award, which is a testament to our winning culture at Adidas, our world-class facilities and most importantly, our exceptional employees who every day exemplify our core belief that through sport, we have the power to change lives.”