Energy giant Centrica has teamed up with Nuffield Proactive Health, the UKís provider of corporate health and wellness, to encourage employees to lead healthier lifestyles.
The Occupational Health team at Centrica will manage two employee wellness programmes which will both aim to improve the wellbeing and fitness of the companyís employees, but at different stages of their lives. The first will encourage new recruits to lead healthier lives, while the second will help long-standing employees with health problems to make a full recovery.
Centrica has within the British Gas Brand developed the new Engineer Induction Programme to support new engineer recruits and Nuffield Proactive Health is delivering a wellness session focusing the new recruits on how they can lead a healthier life. 2006 will see in the region of 800 enter in to the programme. The session, lead by a fully trained physiologist, includes topics on nutrition, exercise, alcohol, sleep, flexibility and relaxation. Following the induction the new recruits are taken to the local Fitness First health club where the topics of the earlier session are put into practice with the support of the local health and fitness management.
Jo Hoban, the occupational health Operations manager at Centrica/British Gas responsible for the programme states: îOur people are our most valuable asset. We want to support and improve the health and wellness of our employees, not only when they fall ill or are injured, but proactively as well. With these programmes we are raising awareness of the importance of fitness, nutrition and relaxation and, helping to create an environment where they have all the professional support they need to live healthier and more rewarding lives.î
In addition to the new recruit programme, Nuffield Proactive Health is also supporting an innovative Positive Energy Plan for a projected 150 Centrica employees who require assistance to get back to full health. Centrica has agreed to fund one monthís access to a local Fitness First health club for these employees and are complementing this with a supportive wellness programme individually designed for client created by Nuffield Proactive Health. Tailored exercise programs cover a wide range of conditions including obesity, musculo-skeletal disorders and depression/anxiety.
This innovative programme allows employees to benefit from personal training sessions as well as the use of health club facilities for one month, promoting behavioural change within the employee.
The programme has been launched following a review of the poor outcomes of traditional physiotherapy sessions or rest for employees with specific wellbeing and exercise needs.
Andy Greenwell, the programme manager for Nuffield Proactive Health said: ìEmployers are ideally placed to encourage their staff to make healthy changes to their lifestyles. Not only can employees reap the benefits for being healthier and fitter but our own research shows that there is a strong link between a healthy workforce and higher performance, productivity and morale. Changing behaviour of employees early in their careers, as Centrica is doing, can prove extremely beneficial in the short and long term.î
Centrica takes proactive approach to employee health
Centrica has teamed up with Nuffield Proactive Health, the UKís provider of corporate health and wellness, to encourage employees to lead healthier lifestyles
