BRIGHTON-based Legal and General was delighted to win the title of Healthiest Workplace at the Sussex Business Awards held earlier this month at The Grand, Brighton.

As a leading life insurer and provider of rehabilitation services to employers, health is a big part of Legal and General’s business and it leads by example with initiatives and benefits offered under the My Health, My Money, My Life brand.

The company is 100 per cent committed to supporting employees to be fit and well at work, emotionally, physically and mentally, building resilience to future change and performing at their best.

Employee health and wellbeing lies at the heart of any responsible business.

At Legal and General, wellbeing affects everything that helps it to be successful. It believes focusing on making positive changes through wellbeing at work is what drives a culture of health.

Initiatives in place include:

Healthy breakfasts in most offices including Hove;

Free BUPA Know Your Numbers health checks offering cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose and lifestyle checks, access to Bupa Boost and medical helpline;

Stepjockey in key locations, promoting exercise by using the stairs instead of taking the lift, cycle to work scheme and discounted gym memberships;

Financial wellbeing support such as share schemes and retail discounts;

Employee Assistance programme and health and wellbeing campaign activity;

Work life balance, personal development and help to support our communities such as flexible /agile working, volunteering, school governor programme and mentoring;

Commitment to reducing the stigma associated with mental health. It signed the Time to Change pledge in 2013 and launched its 1 in 4 campaign in May to support mental health initiatives for colleagues.

It is rolling out Mental Health First Aid England training courses. These are educational courses which teach how to identify, understand and help a person who may be developing a mental health issue.

Legal and General is also a member of the government’s Department of Work and Pensions Mental Health and Employment Expert Advisory Group, currently helping to inform policy on measures needed to support good mental health in the workplace and is a member of the City Mental Health Alliance (CMHA).

The company also uses social media to help promote and encourage awareness and participation in events such as Mental Health at Work Week.