BACKGROUND
Johnson Matthey is a manufacturer of technologies for catalyst predominantly within the oil and gas sectors. JM also conduct research for other businesses.
At the Teesside site there are 350 staff members with varying job roles: laboratory staff, secretaries, researchers, engineers, sales, product development, mechanical workshop staff.
JM are pro-active in supporting the health and wellbeing of their staff and offer a range of services to the staff. Current health resources within the company include:
- Team Prevent provide occupational health services and counselling
- A company nurse undertakes free health reviews every 2 years
- A counselling service offers staff 6 personal one to one sessions
- Physiotherapy for structural and postural issues
- Medical Doctor where staff are referred for long term absence
- Flu jab’s
Typical health issues which can be seen within the organisation include:
- Workplace stress
- Men’s Health
- Digestive Disorders – Crohn’s, Irritable Bowel
- Depression
- Musculo-skeletal problems
WHAT WE WANTED TO ACHIEVE
To create a healthy organisation and environment where employees are supported in the development of their own health and wellbeing.
- To create a healthy organisation with a preventative focus to health issues
- To engage and empower employees to take positive action on creating a healthy lifestyle
- To inform staff on up to date health and wellbeing knowledge in order to be able to make informed choices
- To assess individuals at their current levels of health using naturopathic assessments
- To engage individuals to create their own wellbeing programmes
- To maximize inclusiveness i.e., programme flexibility across time, place, and format enabling all employees to benefit.
WHAT WE DID
The plan was to encourage individuals to address their health through natural and alternative routes putting into place pro-active and preventative practices. These would address any existing health issues they may have including stress which may be causing additional problems. Employees would be encouraged to look at behaviours and habits that may also be keeping them from getting the best out of their health.
Some of the wellbeing initiatives undertaken:
- Participation in a Wellbeing Day
- Personal Iridology Assessments
- One to One Clinics with staff on nutrition and personal wellbeing planning
- Rumana Health Wellbeing Programme – training programme
- Working with individuals with long term sickness
OUTCOMES
The one to one clinics were highly successful. Participation was high and staff were very motivated in looking into natural routes to maintaining their health and wellbeing.
Many found that they could address some of their symptoms through dietary changes and some with the use of herbs and supplements.
Changing habits and behaviours can be challenging but most individuals were able to identify their own poor habits leading to poor health. The support and coaching helped in creating motivation and focussed direction to change.
Johnson Matthey were very pleased with the outcome and are now looking at additional innovative approaches that would help further enhance staff health and change the company’s culture towards an award winning employer.