The Healthy Workplaces Recognition Event, held on 14 April at the Department of Health, marked a significant milestone in advancing workplace wellbeing across Ireland. The event brought together organisations from a wide range of sectors to celebrate their progress in implementing the Healthy Workplaces Framework and embedding a culture that supports the health and wellbeing of their employees.
A total of 23 organisations were recognised for their commitment to workplace wellbeing. Representing the first cohort to complete the programme, these workplaces demonstrated strong leadership, meaningful employee engagement, and a structured approach to wellbeing aligned with national priorities under Healthy Ireland. Their participation reflects a growing recognition of the role workplaces play in supporting population health.
The event provided an opportunity to acknowledge the work undertaken across diverse organisational settings, from public health services and community organisations to small and medium-sized enterprises. It also highlighted the flexibility of the Healthy Workplaces Framework, which supports organisations at different stages of their wellbeing journey to take a whole-organisation approach.
The programme is guided by a five-step model focused on leadership, assessment, planning, implementation, and continuous improvement. The workplaces recognised on the day demonstrated progress across these areas, with a number also receiving special recognition for their efforts in leadership, inclusion, innovation, and employee engagement.
Speakers on the day emphasised the importance of creating supportive workplace environments as part of a broader public health agenda. The event also provided valuable opportunities for networking and shared learning among participants.
As the Healthy Workplaces Programme continues to evolve, the experiences of this first group of recognised organisations will help inform its future development and support other workplaces to take meaningful steps towards improving health and wellbeing.
