Worked Up Over Health; N Forest Trust Invites Experts to Tell Staff How to Improve Their Wellbeing
Posted on: Tuesday, 16 November 2004, 03:00 CST
A PIONEERING approach to the health of its workforce is earning recognition for the Central Scotland Forest Trust.
CSFT believes that to encourage a good work and life balance, staff should be helped to maintain their mental and physical health.
Its human resources manager Shona McDonald said: "In terms of health and safety in the workplace, we all know about the safety side of things - fire procedures, where the first aid box is kept, and to bend our knees to lift heavy objects."
"But how many of us know how to lower our cholesterol levels or exactly how much water we should drink in a day?"
With the support of the Scotland's Health at Work initiative, CSFT are now encouraging their workers to focus on health by introducing ideas to encourage healthy living and working.
They have a notice board displaying current health topics, including smoking, men's health and stress management.
CSFT have also enlisted the help of outside specialists to encourage their staff to look after their health.
A nutritionist visited recently to show workers how to prepare easy, yet healthy meals and a stress awareness session was held to help workers distinguish between stress as an illness and pressure as a motivator.
Workers have also been given the option to have their general health checked at work, including body mass index, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Shona said: "Through the support we have received from SHAW as well as the visiting experts, we have learned that it's the little things that count in terms of health.
"Brown bread in place of white, walking to work, five pieces of fruit and veg a day. These minor changes all add up to a healthier body and mind and as a result, a happier, healthier workplace."
As a result of the health schemes, CSFT have again been short- listed as Scottish Employer of the Year in this year's Lloyds TSB Working Families Employer of the Year Awards, a title they currently hold.
They have also reached the finals of the Innovation Category, relating to their health awareness ideas.
Source: Evening Times; Glasgow (UK)
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