COWI was recognised at an awards ceremony for their commitment to workplace wellbeing on Tuesday 30 April.

Mind’s Workplace Wellbeing Index is a benchmark of best policy and practice, celebrating the good work employers are doing to promote and support positive mental health, and providing key recommendations on the specific areas where there is room to improve. 

Pauline Sloan, Head of Health & Safety at COWI in the UK said:

"This is the first time that COWI UK has taken part in Mind’s Workplace Wellbeing Index, and to be recognised with a Silver Award in their first year is a fantastic achievement as this demonstrates the impact already being achieved within the workplace."

COWI's wellbeing initiatives kicked off in 2018, with a view to growing and developing a good mental health culture in our UK offices. As well as a formal Mental Health and Wellbeing policy being created for all our employees, we now have 12 Mental Health First Aiders trained to provide support and information to employees, Health and Wellbeing Ambassadors who run local events to raise awareness, coordinate regional events and engage employees in a range of social events. These volunteers are all passionate about making positive improvements in mental health and wellbeing.

Every employer depends on having healthy and productive employees – valued and supported staff are far more likely to perform better and achieve peak performance.

Mental health problems are common among employees. Mind surveyed more than 44,000 employees across the 106 employers participating in the Awards and found that 7 in 10 had experienced a mental health problem in their lives, with over one in two (53 per cent) affected by poor mental health in their current workplace. 

Emma Mamo, Head of Workplace Wellbeing at Mind, said: 

“This year, we’ve been overwhelmed to see so much good practice right across the board, from each and every one of the 106 diverse employers to take part. The Awards event provided an opportunity to recognise those forward-thinking employers who are at the cutting edge when it comes to investing in their staff wellbeing, and in turn getting the best outcomes for their business.” 

The event was hosted by TV Presenter and Mind Ambassador Anna Williamson at the Ham Yard Hotel in Central London on 30 April 2019.