Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman, today (Monday) launched the Wicklow County Council Staff Wellbeing Strategy.
The Wellbeing Strategy sets out the vision and aims for Council employee’s wellbeing across the four key pillars: Mental Wellbeing, Physical Wellbeing, Social Wellbeing and Financial Wellbeing.
The Strategy flows from the National Framework for Healthy Workplaces which sets out the strategic direction for workplace policies and programmes to enhance the health of workers. It also aligns with the Council’s People Strategy objective to develop a health and wellness framework.
Traditionally, the local government sector has always been active in this area, providing wellbeing initiatives either through its own corporate programmes or via Health and Safety sections.
The Strategy also recognises that positive wellbeing does not start and end in the workplace; however, with the provision of the right supports it will empower staff to make informed choices about their own wellbeing.
In launching the Strategy, Chief Executive Emer O’Gorman, said: “Our wellbeing aims are to create a safe and healthy work environment which fosters a culture of positive wellbeing, improve the general wellbeing of our workforce and embed wellbeing as a central part of our strategic priorities for management across all functions and ensure awareness of statutory obligations. I would like to pay tribute to council staff across the districts who work hard to provide a diverse range of services to the communities of County Wicklow and I look forward to the implementation of the initiatives that will flow from the Strategy.”
Cathaoirleach, Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy, added: “The events of the last two years have raised awareness levels of the importance of wellbeing, for ourselves and those around us and I am delighted to be here to support the launch of the Council’s Staff Wellbeing Strategy.”
To achieve the objectives set out within the Strategy a working group has been established under the four key Pillars of Mental, Physical Social and Wellbeing, the group will work towards embedding health and welling across all Council functions so that positive wellbeing becomes part of the culture in Wicklow County Council.
