Kilmarnock Diageo staff help to make firm healthy employer

Apr 10 2009 by Ian Russell, Kilmarnock Standard

DRINKS giant Diageo has been named one of Scotland’s safest, healthiest employers thanks to their Kilmarnock workforce.

At a major awards event last week the drinks manufacturer became only the eighth recipient of the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives’ Mental Health and Well-being commendation award.

The award, presented at a ceremony in East Kilbride, recognises managers’ efforts to promote awareness of workplace mental health issues.

Topics involved in the initiative include health promotion, occupational health and safety, employability, mental health and well-being, community involvement, and health and the environment.

Said Steve Bell, strategic director of the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives: “This award demonstrates that Diageo Global Supply in Kilmarnock have made safe and healthy working practices a key priority.

“Encouraging mental and physical health in the workplace should never be a chore or a second thought – a healthy workforce is the key to success for organisations in all sectors.”

Diageo’s Kilmarnock operation has already received a gold Healthy Working Lives award in recognition of efforts to tackle health and safety issues and promote healthy lifestyles. The company’s Mental Health and Well-being commendation award follows the introduction of a series of initiatives aimed at creating a supportive atmosphere for workers suffering from mental health issues such as stress or depression.

Managers from the Hill Street plant took part in a range of training courses covering topics such as drug awareness, mental health first-aid and mentally healthy workplaces, while workers benefited from a series of well-being awareness days which provided information on relaxation techniques, stress and sexual health.

Kilmarnock site employees also completed a 35-question mental health well-being risk assessment survey based on the HSE indicator tool for work-related stress, which led to the creation of tailored action plans to tackle the issues raised. The organisation has also signed the Scottish Government’s See Me pledge to end discrimination against people with mental health problems.

Kilmarnock site director Pauline Rooney said this week: “We’re delighted to have picked up the Mental Health and Well-being award. It’s a testament to the commitment of all our staff, who have really taken the Healthy Working Lives objectives to heart and have made a big effort to work together to achieve the award.

“We’re proud that we’ve been able to make Diageo Global Supply, Kilmarnock an even safer, healthier place to work.”

The Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives was established four years ago and is playing a key role in helping to reduce work-related ill health by 20 per cent and days lost to ill health by 30 per cent.

The centre’s 80 advisers are on hand to help companies achieve the Healthy Working Lives award, which can include elements such as smoking cessation, healthy eating, physical activity and mental health promotion, as well as increasing the importance of health and safety.