Employee wellbeing
We believe the success of our company is linked not only to managing our day-to-day relationships with employees but also to supporting their general wellbeing.
Workplace counselling
We operate schemes across all train operating companies to provide confidential advice and support to our employees. Under the scheme, independent specialists in workplace counselling offer an employee assistance programme covering problems at home or at work. All employees have unlimited 24-hour access to counsellors and general information services similar to those available through the Citizens Advice Bureaux.
In First Great Western this support is delivered by Pathfinders, a well-respected network of employees who volunteer to provide their colleagues with confidential assistance. They are given company-sponsored training in first-line counselling skills.
Promoting employee wellbeing
Employee wellbeing programmes are run and developed through our individual operating companies. They reinforce the wellbeing messages to our employees and help them to maintain their general physical and psychological wellbeing.
Promoting employee wellbeing at First ScotRail
First ScotRail now run two Wellbeing Weeks each year which are popular with staff. They focus on key health and wellbeing issues and are supported by professionals in these areas. Themes have included healthy eating, cancer awareness, debt management and shift working. Regular wellbeing communications are issued to staff. Chiropody and massage is offered on-site every month. The company is working towards achieving the bronze Healthy Working Lives Award.
First Capital Connect launches health and wellbeing campaign
First Capital Connect has recently launched a health and wellbeing campaign. The campaign will support employees in promoting a healthy lifestyle. Key elements of the programme are:
- delivery of practical advice offered via monthly health focus pages on the intranet;
- promotion of the Care First scheme;
- stress management workshops for driver standards managers;
- BMI and blood pressure monitoring for drivers; and
- piloting of free flu vaccines for employees.
A health and wellbeing calendar has been created with different themes for each month.