The Better Health At Work Awards (BHAWA) is an initiative across the North East and Cumbria and the largest of its kind in England.
This year’s awards were presented to 13 workplaces across the South Tees area at a special celebration event at the Civic Centre, Redcar by Redcar and Cleveland Mayor, Cllr Ian Hart, Cllr Jan Ryles (Middlesbrough) and Cllr Ceri Cawley (Redcar and Cleveland).
Awards are made at five levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Continuing Excellence and Maintaining Excellence with each level taking 12-18 months to complete.
Established in 2009 and open to all employers across the region, the BHAWA encourages employers to focus on the health needs of their staff.
That includes promoting positive mental health and wellbeing within the workforce, promoting healthier food choices and providing guidance on reducing alcohol use and stopping smoking.
More than 30,000 staff are directly engaged in BHAWA across the South Tees area.
Throughout the regions, more than 550 employers have signed up to the scheme, bringing benefits for more than 250,000 employees, while nearly 7,000 trained health advocates maintain awareness in workplaces.
Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, Cllr Ian Hart, said:
“Staff who are healthier and happier work better, longer and smarter, and that’s a benefit not just to their employer but to themselves and the wider community.
“I am honoured to present these awards today which are deserved recognition of local businesses and employers who have been engaging and supporting their staff for a number of years.”
Cllr Jan Ryles, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for Public Health, said:
"A happier, healthier work life benefits not just the individual and their family, but also their employer and the wider community, and that’s something we should all aspire to.
“These well-deserved awards show what can be achieved, and I hope they will inspire others to make the same commitment.”
Any employer or workplace can find out more about the Better Health At Work Awards by visiting www.betterhealthatworkaward.org.uk