Wannon Water succeeds in Healthy Workplaces Achievement accreditation

Wannon Water has become the first Victorian water corporation to successfully achieve accreditation in the Healthy Workplaces Achievement Program.  To achieve accreditation an organisation must fulfil all five health areas in the program. These include physical activity, healthy eating, mental health and wellbeing, alcohol and other drug use, and smoking.

Workplaces that join the program are provided with the tools and resources to achieve targets in each of the key health areas The program is free, and is delivered by Cancer Council Victoria.

Wannon Water’s committed to a ‘zero harm’ approach is what prompted the organisation to get involved in the program. Andrew Jeffers, Managing Director of Wannon Water, says: “Our zero-harm approach is a collective mindset that goes beyond just physical safety of our staff to include mental health and wellbeing.”

As part of formally supporting staff with their mental health and wellbeing, Wannon Water progressed its Employee Assistance Program and delivered VECCI’s Mental Health Essentials Training for staff members and provides flexible working arrangements and counselling services.

Wannon Water have encouraged staff to participate in workplace and community activities that promote physical activity, such as

• Parkrun
• Online yoga
• Push up challenges, and
• 10,000 Steps Challenge

Amanda Wearne, Wannon Water’s Learning and Diversity Officer said that among other initiatives the 10,000 steps challenge was particularly popular. “We’ve also had good take-up of our health screenings and flu vaccinations. Some employees have been referred to their GP for follow-ups, so it’s great to see prevention focused initiatives continue to improve our employees’ health and wellbeing.”

Wannon Water is committed to creating a healthy workplace and sees it as a joint responsibility shared by bother employer and employee and the participation and subsequent accreditation in the Healthy Workplaces Achievement Program illustrates just how deep this commitment runs.

Congratulations Wannon Water.

If you’d like to take part in the Healthy Workplaces Achievement Program, you can find more information here.