HIE network makes encouraging start on achieving healthy workforce awards

A pedometer challenge, a breast cancer awareness 'pink day', regular lunchtime walks, healthy eating demonstrations, stress management and free health checks are just some of the activities that the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Network has been organising in order to improve the health of its workforce.

The HIE Network is currently working towards the Scotland's Health at Work (SHAW) award scheme, and so far three of the Network's business units across the Highlands and Islands have achieved their bronze award.

The national scheme is designed to encourage and reward employers' efforts to improve the health and well-being of their staff.

The HIE core organisation, based in Inverness and Benbecula, Lochaber Enterprise and Ross and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE) have all succeeded in obtaining their bronze award, which is the first of three stages in the scheme. They are now working towards their silver.

Lochaber Enterprise, the first local enterprise company to achieve the award, organised a pedometer challenge where most staff recorded the number of steps they took in a week, and are now taking positive action to increase their walking activity.

Chief executive of Lochaber Enterprise, Charlotte Wright said: "The SHAW Action Group within our office has done a great job of coming up with fun and inspiring ideas to promote a healthier lifestyle among the staff. We all find it easier to eat healthier and take more exercise when we have support from the people around us, and this is one of the reasons this initiative is working so well and delivering results."

RACE held a 'pink day' to promote Breast Cancer Awareness Day, during which all staff wore pink and took part in fundraising for the cause. A healthy lunch was prepared by staff and a juicing demonstration was given along with a raffle and a health-related quiz.

The HIE core organisation has developed a range of posters on key health topics, lunchtime walks take place twice a week, a health fair event was organised and free lifestyle health checks were offered to all staff and the blood donor van was on site for a day.
 
HIE's chief executive Sandy Cumming said: "We are wholeheartedly committed to providing a healthy environment for all our staff and the work that is going into achieving the SHAW awards will help to improve and maintain the health of the workforce. Informing staff on health topics such as back care, smoking and sensible drinking will all help to reduce and prevent absence from work."