A range of employers picked up a top award today for their efforts to boost health and wellbeing in the workplace.

The Healthy Working Lives Award Programme was launched to encourage employers to promote a healthier workforce and covers a wide range of topics including health promotion, occupational health and safety, employability, mental health and well-being, community involvement, and health and the environment.

Among the 7 organisations which will pick up the Awards include NHS Western Isles, Hebridean Chocolates, Jobcentre Plus,Scalpay School, Leverhulme School ,Back School and Dun Berisay.

The employers have achieved an Award for taking a number of steps to improve the health and wellbeing of their staff such as promoting healthy eating and exercise programmes, mental health and well-being promotion, on-site smoking cessation and health and lifestyle checks.

Congratulating the award winners, Aileen Simpson, Assistant Head of Delivery for the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives said: “Management and staff at all the organisations which have achieved an Award must be congratulated on their efforts to improve their health and wellbeing.

“I am confident that workplaces will continue to play an important role in improving our nation’s health and quality of life. The Award builds on the successes achieved so far while at the same time addressing new challenges.”

Organisations need to meet core criteria to achieve the three levels of award – Bronze, Silver and Gold – however it is designed to be flexible so employers can select the most relevant topics relevant to their own workforce.

Another aspect to the Award Programme is the Healthy Working Lives Mental Health and Well-being Commendation Award which rewards good practice in promoting mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.

The Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives was established in 2006, and is the national centre for expertise inScotlandin relation to protecting and improving the health of those in work.

The Healthy Working Lives Award has been developed in consultation with businesses and health professionals acrossScotland.  It is supported by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI)Scotland, the Federation 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 andHighlandsand Islands Enterprise (HIE)

For further information about the HWLAward, please contact the free adviceline on 0800 019 2211, or visit www.healthyworkinglives.com