Case Study: Danone

Active Health Programme

Developed as part of the company's “People Acceleration Unit” in 2004
To be consistent with values: people first/passionate about health and nutrition
To be consistent with consumer position in market on health

Provide a holistic approach to an individual's health in the workplace - under the headings: Work, Life, Health and Food
Funded on the major part by the company so no barrier for usage
Give an active supported approach to healthy living
Be available to all employees and where applicable their families
Develop in conjunction with staff (feedback via surveys/workshops/ideas testing with ambassadors)
Targeted at needs of employees and aimed at individual needs/choices
Always be appropriate to current needs of the workforce
Create ambassadors for health in the workplace that includes understanding and knowledge of company brands

Created a brand for the project
Created quick wins that ensured high impact, were low cost, easy to implement and simple -
Free daily supply of water, yoghurt and fruit, on-site massages, healthy vending
Looked at four areas of workplace health and re-positioned some suppliers and services under the Active Health brand
Performed an audit of HR policies to ensure they support the Active Health approach and looked at new policies/ thinking e.g. flexible benefits & working
Enlisted ambassadors to challenge thinking

Health: health checks, ergonomics assessment & tools, Bikes4work scheme
Food: breakfast everyday, diet and nutrition bitesize training, take a lunch break challenge
Life management: massages, employee assistance program, stress bite-size training for all
Work: inspiring office environment, flexible benefits, flexible working practices

5 minute feature slot in BBC Working Lunch programme
Awarded BBC Health Workplace award for London area
Awarded Gold by FDF for Workplace Community Awards
Awarded 'Big Tick' Accreditation for Healthy Workplaces by BiTC. Featured in Financial Times
Runner up for the national award for Healthy Workplaces in June 06. Re-accredited in 07 for same award

Gold Award Winner (SME) of 2006 Community Partnership Awards: Workplace Community Category

This case study is featured in our booklet Workplace Wellbeing: The Food Industry in Action (pdf, 1.2Mb). Danone is a member of FDF's Workplace Wellbeing Group.

Last reviewed: 21 Dec 2007