Construction BUSINESS

The KeepWell Mark is a new national accreditation developed by Ibec that recognises organisations who put the wellbeing of employees at the forefront of company policy. The first of its kind in Ireland, the Mark is a set of health and wellbeing standards that companies can achieve through the promotion of wellbeing in the workplace. The process will help benchmark workplace wellbeing activity through a set of systematic and methodical steps, providing full reporting and feedback at every step of the way.

The framework includes a self-assessment, an onsite assessment from an Ibec approved external assessor, and culminates with a report that outlines areas for improvement which facilitates the company to chart its way to success.

On achieving the KeepWell Mark, Gordon O’Regan, CEO of L&M Keating, said: “It is becoming increasingly apparent that business leaders in Ireland need to make the health and wellbeing of their employees a top priority. This is why we are extremely proud to achieve The KeepWell Mark accreditation, demonstrating our commitment to and ultimate raising the standards of employee health, wellbeing, and safety across all aspects of our business.”

David Duffy, Director of Property Industry Ireland, the Ibec group that represents businesses in the property sector, said: “With continuing growth in the property sector the attraction and retention of staff is becoming a challenge. Property Industry Ireland are delighted to see a construction company gain KeepWell accreditation. The KeepWell Mark shows commitment to people and safety, health and wellbeing. These factors are increasing important in the modern labour market.”

Ian Lynch, L&M Keating HSEQS Manager added: “At L&M Keating have always recognised that our people are our strength as an organisation. We made a strong commitment to improving our workplace wellbeing practices across all levels of the business, The KeepWell Mark aligns with our core values around our people and safety, health and wellbeing making this the perfect fit for L&M Keating as well providing us with the opportunity to have this commitment recognised.

“L&M Keating have been to the forefront in recognising the importance and value of good employee health and wellbeing, the key to our success has been actively engaging our employees ensuring that our employee wellbeing programme is employee lead with the full support of senior management. Our program provides an opportunity for employees to improve their wellbeing and health during their working day but also focuses on healthy lifestyle and family activities to ensure a greater work life balance.”

Congratulating L&M Keating, Tom Parlon, Construction Industry Federation (CIF) Director General, said: “As the first construction company to achieve the Ibec KeepWell mark, L&M Keating is leading the Irish construction industry’s drive toward greater commitment to employees’ health and wellbeing.

“For many decades, the construction industry has been working to improve and innovate in the areas of health and safety, on and off site. Recently, this focus has quite rightly shifted to a more comprehensive and holistic approach to the overall health and wellbeing of employees both in work and at home.

“Our industry is built on our workers, they are our greatest asset and their health and wellbeing is paramount. The Irish construction industry has emerged from the downturn as a more modern, innovative and open industry. The Ibec KeepWell mark give companies the opportunity to lead by example, as L&M Keating has done, and become a driving force towards the continued improvement of our industry.”