‘Halt for health’ stand down 19 – 23 October 2015

‘Halt for health’ stand down 19 – 23 October 2015

Water wellbeing week is here! Water Wellbeing Week is here, providing you with the information and guidance to make a choice about your lifestyle. This week is all about the health and wellbeing of the mind and the body, whether you’re in the workplace or the wider community

We understand that workers may experience ill health that could affect their ability to work. It’s important that we provide support and help them to manage their condition, either remaining in work or through early return while supporting their condition. Worker

What support is provided? Employee assistance programme – a one stop shop providing comprehensive support and advice to all employees Occupational health specialists – provide both proactive support and advice as well as reactive referrals Educational courses – specialist courses to support both mental and physical health are available for all employees Are there any issues that you believe need to be challenged?

Workplace We all have a duty to prevent our employees from becoming ill as a result of the work they do. Many of our work activities if not managed correctly could result in ill health or injury. Regardless of where or when we work, our workplace must be in an acceptable condition that supports good health and wellbeing.

Workplace What is in place? Zero compromise – every employee is empowered to challenge any situation that may lead to someone becoming injured or ill at work Medical assessments - rigorous ‘fitness for task’ testing is in place for those with specified job roles – i.e. safety critical workers Monitoring - routine workplace inspections and audits extend to provide assurance good health and wellbeing practices are being adhered to Are there any areas in your workplace that need to be challenged?

Encouraging employees to improve their own health and wellbeing is a critical part of creating a healthy working life. The benefits for doing so can extend beyond work and into your home and family lives. Wellbeing

What do we provide? Personal Medical Assessments – every employee is encouraged to take the opportunity to have an annual assessment and conversation with a health specialist Promotional literature – regular updates are provided throughout the year on the latest information Active lifestyle – having a active lifestyle means taking opportunities to keep moving both inside and outside of work How can we improve our health and wellbeing as a team? Wellbeing

Our initiatives are not just for our own benefit but should extend to everyone we work with – and to those that we come into contact with. Wider Community

What can your team do? Time to give - think about local initiatives that you and your teams can get involved with using your time-to-give days Family and friends – our greatest supporters are those closest to us and the steps we make towards a healthier lifestyle often last because of their involvement Colleagues – we spend a lot of our life at work and often become close to those we work alongside, so it's important we listen and support our colleagues when needed Wider Community What can we do to support the communities in which we work?

Working together to improve health and wellbeing Take some time to think about your role, your health and wellbeing and how you might make improvements Think about your colleagues and how you might help them in any change they are making Read the guidance and support that is made available to you during Water Wellbeing Week Get involved in local activities – or, better still, arrange something for yourself and your colleagues Act if you think something isn’t right

The health and safety hub – an online resource-sharing initiative between Thames Water and its partners Thames Water employee assistance programme – a confidential and independent service available 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. See the HR pages of the portal for login details.portal Thames Water safety, health and wellbeing – Key contacts