Veolia’s well-being evolution

Veolia is Ireland’s leading environmental services company. They provide a comprehensive range of energy, waste and water solutions and are dedicated to carbon reduction, protecting the environment and building the circular economy.

Veolia has been shortlisted for the Chambers Ireland CSR Awards 2018 for their focus on well-being in the workplace.

At Veolia, well-being has been developed as a strategic investment in their people, rather than a ‘nice to have’. Physical, mental and financial well-being of their people is at the heart of the company’s values. This is evidenced by how the business has embedded this concept into their business objectives, managing their well-being programme through their active risk strategy at a management level.

The well-being programme at Veolia Ireland includes: raising awareness around mental, physical and financial health, working with local charities and promoting healthy eating. Veolia also has health surveillance and well-being assessments available across all of their sites and gives employees access to occupational services. Additionally, they make teamwork a priority both formally in the work environment and informally through social events, ensuring that the company recognises and celebrates successes regularly.

Veolia’s active risk strategy moves them from a compliance mindset to one where risk is managed as a natural part of all of their activities. They aspire to this through effective leadership, engagement and empowerment and by developing appropriate behaviours. They seek to proactively work with colleagues and others to prevent ill health and injury. Initiatives are both structured and scheduled in advance in the annual business growth plan, and there are also ad hoc activities throughout the year. In addition, they have local well-being champions along with an active H&S committee who meet regularly and promote and support initiatives.

Veolia acknowledges both the social and business need to care for their employees, understand and manage the impact of health and well-being and promoting the benefits of supporting healthy lifestyle choices. The ultimate aim is to integrate well-being into the business’ DNA which will deliver business benefits of reduced absenteeism, increased employee retention, being an employer of choice, reduced financial burden on the business and wider society.

Prevention in the matter of health and safety is a constant priority for Veolia in all its activities. Since the 1st July 2013, the group is signatory to the Seoul Declaration at the headquarters of the International Labor Organization, recognising the fundamental human right to a safe and sound work environment. Reinforcement of accident prevention, accident analysis, and social dialogue about health and well-being are all part of the agreement relating to the working conditions signed within the company.

This project will continuously evolve, and Veolia will continue to encourage healthy eating, ensure all of the people are taking advantage of the health surveillance and well-being, to support employee participation in charity, to boost team morale through celebrating successes and to internally market EAP services. Veolia’s strategy is to continue to showcase its commitment to the people; to make them feel valued and be involved in critical decision making.

Pictured above Sinead Patton, Veolia, at the launch of the Leaders’ Group on Sustainability

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