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Case Study: United Biscuits

United Biscuits' UK (UBUK) WellWise workplace wellbeing scheme provides a programme of activities and events to educate its employees about healthier lifestyles, encourage them to be more active, address health issues and to promote the company as a great place to work.

Every UBUK employee is entitled to a health assessment every three years, involving completing a questionnaire regarding general health and lifestyle issues; vision screening; audiometry; peak flow measurements; weight, blood pressure and pulse monitoring; and BMI calculations.

During the health assessment, employees receive information about topics such as smoking cessation, alcohol and drugs awareness, breast and testicular self examination, diet and nutrition advice, stress awareness and mental health education. Advice on exercise regimes is also included, as well as occupational health advice relating to the employee's work environment and activity.

Any required follow-up monitoring or referrals are made at this assessment and employees are given feedback regarding results and appropriate actions to improve health and wellbeing.

Noticeboards on health issues are available at all UBUK sites, and health promotions and information are featured in regional or site-specific newsletters. A monthly WellWise newsletter has recently been launched and is sent to everyone across the business to raise awareness of events or activities, provide information on health and wellbeing issues and to publicise successes.

In addition to the three-yearly health assessments, UBUK has recently started offering employees more frequent 'mini MOT' lifestyle checks looking at blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and BMI. As part of the WellWise scheme, UBUK also offers employees a counselling service and chiropody services where required.

UBUK encourages its employees to lead more active lifestyles by providing health and recreation facilities at some of its sites, ranging from sports fields to fitness equipment. In 2008, an extensive gym was built at the UBUK head office and this has attracted nearly half of the workforce as members.

Another important part of the WellWise scheme is the provision of musculoskeletal health programmes, including a physiotherapy service available at all UB sites. As part of this scheme, UB's Consett site won an occupational health award at the end of 2008.

Employees at Consett were questioned about problems with their joints, muscles, and ligaments. Problems were mapped and compared to employees' roles to identify where work practices could be improved to help alleviate problems. Exercise programmes and advice were then tailored for each employee taking part to address any existing or potential problems.

UBUK's occupational health programme is innovative and successful at helping its employees stay healthy in the workplace and UB is committed to ensuring that its sites remain safe and healthy places to work.

More Information

FDF has published a booklet called Workplace Wellbeing: The Food Industry in Action (pdf, 984kb) which features many workplace wellbeing schemes.

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