Wiltshire Council has been awarded the highest possible workplace health rating by a leading independent body, demonstrating its commitment to the health and wellbeing of its employees.

The council has been awarded the 'excellence' grade under Public Health England’s National Workplace Wellbeing Charter which underlines the council’s commitment to ensure its staff have the knowledge and support to be as healthy as possible.

Wiltshire Council corporate director Maggie Rae said: “I’m delighted we have achieved an ‘excellent’ rating. Like all employers, we have a responsibility to support our employees’ health and wellbeing and it’s a responsibility we take very seriously.”

In order to achieve the accreditation, the council submitted evidence for eight criteria which was formally assessed by an external verifier. The assessment also included staff interviews and evidence scrutiny.

Keith Humphries, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for public health, said: “We regularly promote good health in our local communities and it is no different within our own council community.

“The assessor was rightly impressed with the council and we’re proud to have reached the highest of standards.”

Since the project began to promote and help improve the health and wellbeing of council staff, a number of sub-projects and activities such as surveys, mental health drop-in sessions and healthy eating weeks have taken place.

Barry Pirie, associate director of people and business, said: “Having a healthier workforce not only means our staff will be happier, it also means they will be able to deliver our services as effectively as possible for our residents.

“We will strive to ensure the standards we have shown to achieve this recognition are maintained and built upon.”

The council is set to develop a strategy around the benefits made possible by the health project and to strengthen their positive workplace health management standards.