Harper Macleod Receives 'Big Tick' at the Business in the Community Awards 2009

Harper Macleod LLP, one of Scotland's leading commercial law firms has been awarded the Big Tick in the Business Community Awards 2009 in the Healthy Workplace award category.  The awards are supported by the Department of Health, in association with the Health and Safety Executive. 

 

 The Big Tick is awarded to only those businesses able to demonstrate significant impact and high-quality management of their responsible business practices and a positive impact on society and on their business.  Only 39% of applicants for the award were successful in 2008.

Harper Macleod is in the esteemed company of only four other businesses, including national organisations such as the Royal Mail Group and Ginsters, in being granted the Big Tick Healthy Workplace award, which recognises those businesses that are improving the health and wellbeing of its employees.

The firm's approach to health and wellbeing is driven by its CSR Programme HM Community under which it established its Healthy Workplace Programme to create a healthier and safer workplace for all staff, above and beyond health and safety and employment law obligations. The promotion of the programme has become part of the firm's culture, evident in ongoing support of initiatives, resources, and time invested in the programme and associated campaigns.

Harper Macleod Chief Executive, Martin Darroch said: "These are the UK's most influential, independent, peer assessed corporate responsibility awards. They are an opportunity for UK plc to recognise those who are leading the way in responsible business. The Awards reveal companies who take a sustained approach to corporate responsibility and that being responsible is integral to their business model. "

"A core aim of HM Community is to improve the quality of life of our staff, the local community and society at large and we are extremely committed to this goal. In 2008 the firm invested almost ?10,000 in campaigns and activities to support the health and wellbeing of our staff, including needs assessment surveys, and the facilities and materials required to run and host courses and seminars around such issues as healthy eating, smoking cessation and health awareness. We are delighted with the results as our Healthy Workplace programme has contributed to improved staff morale, a reduction in average absence rates, and increased staff retention in the past year."

Will Cavendish, Director of Health and Wellbeing, Department of Health said, "The Department of Health is proud to support the Healthy Workplaces Award, recognising companies that are improving the health and wellbeing of their employees. I would like to congratulate all of those companies who received a Big Tick in this year's Award. These companies have demonstrated both impact and innovation with regards to addressing the issues of the health of their employees and the wider society."

Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community said: "I congratulate all the winners of a Big Tick this year. In the current economic climate it is fantastic to see so many strong examples of businesses that recognise the social, environmental and bottom line benefits of being a responsible business.

"Those who achieve the Big Tick are leading companies, ones that run their businesses aware that they depend above all on the talent, innovation and loyalty of their people. They know that they cannot build a successful, sustainable business without constantly showing their commitment to being a better business."