‘Organisations that invest in workplace wellbeing enjoy higher staff morale and greater employee engagement’

The Ibec KeepWell Awards were presented at the organisation’s annual Leading in Wellbeing Lunch in the College Green Hotel in Dublin on April 25th last. Coinciding with the 10th National Workplace Wellbeing Day and the announcement of Ireland’s Top 100 Leading in Wellbeing Companies, the awards recognise companies that achieve best in class in their workplace wellbeing programmes.

Boston Scientific won the large company of the year award, while Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) took the plaudits in the SME category. St Vincent’s Private Hospital took the honours for nutrition; Sanofi took the leadership award; BMS won in the physical activity category, and Merit came out on top for mental health. In addition, wellbeing campaigner and activist Barbara Brennan was presented with the award for outstanding contribution to wellbeing.

“The objective of the awards is to showcase and celebrate the amazing work these companies are doing,” says Sarah McSharry, KeepWell Mark account manager. “We would love to be able to give awards to every company that gets accredited to the KeepWell Mark, but we have to narrow it down. A panel of independent assessors review all the companies and decide on the winners.”

“We’re really delighted to be named company of the year, an award that reflects our comprehensive strategy towards employee well-being,” says Bernie Ludden, senior materials management director and sponsor of wellbeing at Boston Scientific.

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“This award is not just a recognition for the programmes, facilities and benefits we have in place, but a call to continue improving our efforts, ensuring we address the ongoing needs of our nearly 5,000 employees across all shifts working to build the products which help millions of people to live longer, better lives.”

It is important that our employees feel supported should they struggle with their mental health

QQI has designed a robust health, work and wellbeing strategy to make its workplace healthier and happier for its staff, according to human resources manager Celine Kelly. “QQI has been a proud recipient of the KeepWell Mark since 2019 but to win the award for best in class (SME) in 2024 is particularly gratifying, as it recognises our ongoing commitment to our staff, their wellbeing, continuous improvement and our aspiration to be an employer of choice.”

St Vincent’s Private Hospital chief executive Brian Fitzgerald believes the nutrition award acknowledges the outstanding commitment of its catering and dietetics departments to promoting health and wellness among patients and staff.

“Through innovative menu planning and rigorous quality control measures, they have ensured that nutritious and delicious meals are served, tailored to individual dietary needs and preferences,” he says. “This award underscores our dedication to fostering a culture of wellness and catering and dietetics have not only contributed to improved patient outcomes, but have also positively impacted the wellbeing and productivity of hospital staff.”

To win the award for best in class (SME) in 2024 is particularly gratifying as it recognises our ongoing commitment to our staff’s wellbeing

With more than 70 trained mental health first aiders, a 24/7 accessible gym, a healthy food plan offered in the canteen and an annual AllWell Festival, the leadership award highlights the holistic approach being taken by Sanofi to support team members’ health and well-being, according to occupational health adviser Mairead O’Shea.

“This award demonstrates our continued dedication to fostering a supportive work environment that prioritises physical and mental wellness, ultimately enhancing team member satisfaction, engagement, productivity and staff retention,” she says. “This enables us to provide a workforce that chase the miracles of science to improve our patients lives.”

Grainne O’Meara, VP, human resources, EMEA, at Merit says the mental health award is recognition for the wellness culture fostered by the company. “Particularly the emphasis we place on the importance of the mental health and wellbeing of employees,” she says.

“We have a dedicated professionally trained team of volunteers within our organisation, called Reach Responders who support their colleagues in the mental health and wellbeing space. Workplace wellbeing is essential, we have learned that it requires constant monitoring to ensure we meet the needs of our employees. It is also important that our employees feel supported should they struggle with their mental health.”

This award is not just a recognition for the programmes, facilities and benefits we have in place, but a call to continue improving our efforts

Grainne Donegan, senior specialist, QCAS Instrumentation and Health and Wellbeing Workgroup lead at Bristol Myers Squibb Cruiserath Biologics, says: “At the Bristol Myers Squibb Cruiserath Biologics site, and across our other sites in Ireland, we are committed to creating a great workplace environment that focuses on the wellbeing of all employees and embedding this into our strategy.

“This award recognises our efforts to drive a feedback and listening culture, going beyond traditional physical activity which for us is hugely important as more than a third of our workforce are shift employees. As our colleagues’ needs and wider health trends change, so must the programmes we offer.”

KeepWell programme membership continues to grow. “The accreditation is very important to members,” McSharry says. “Companies with their own wellbeing programmes appreciate the opportunity to have them benchmarked against an independent industry standard. Also, organisations that invest in workplace wellbeing enjoy higher staff morale and greater employee engagement. People are more comfortable in the workplace environment, and that benefits everyone.”