Case Study: Mars Chocolate UK
Mars Chocolate UK's Winning with Wellness programme was
created to enable Mars employees to make beneficial decisions
to improve their lifestyles, thereby encouraging greater levels of
productivity and engagement.
The programme, developed in 2006, was fully integrated with Mars'
Occupational Health programme. It includes a range of wellness
initiatives and a positive attendance management programme.
Each year a needs assessment is undertaken to establish the
employees' requirements in terms of health promotion. Wellness
champions have been recruited and strategies put in place to target
and engage groups with higher levels of absence.
In 2009 Mars developed a three year strategy for Wellness, focusing
on clear, consistent communications, increased involvement, great
activities and comprehensive evaluation.
A wide range of activities are on offer to Mars employees, including
a stop smoking service; a Sports and Social Council; funding
for employees who want to set up their own sports teams and
interest groups i.e. photography club; wellness weeks incorporating
biomedical tests; cooking demonstrations; and the 'Climb Everest'
challenge.
Success stories include helping four employees to stop smoking,
weight loss of 56 stones by 124 employees, providing more
opportunities for employees to get active in the workplace, and
reducing absenteeism from 4.3% to 2.2%.
Bronze Award Winner of 2009 Community Partnership Awards: Workplace Category
More Information
Mars UK also won a bronze award in the workplace category in 2008. View past Mars UK case study
FDF has published a booklet Community Partnership Awards 2009 (pdf, 916kb) featuring a range of company case studies from Community Partnership Award
winners.
Last reviewed: 15 Oct 2009