By Dave Robson
It can be as simple as asking someone, “are you OK?” – but for Karen Nelson, watching out for her colleagues’ physical and mental wellbeing is a key part of her working life.
A Senstronics employee for 24 years, training coordinator Karen is also one of its 10 health advocates – staff who, in addition to their daily roles, voluntarily champion the health and wellbeing of the firm’s 136 employees.
It’s something pressure sensor specialist Senstronics takes seriously – and an approach that saw the firm achieve bronze status in the recent Better Health at Work County Durham Awards.
A free initiative delivered by wellbeing charity Pioneering Care Partnership, the awards encourage local organisations to create happier, healthier workforces through coordinated, meaningful health campaigns.
But it wasn’t just the firm that came away from the recent “celebration event” with an award – Karen did too.
To her surprise – but of no surprise to her workmates – Karen was named Health Advocate of the Year for County Durham.
But, typically, she was quick to share the credit.
She told Aycliffe Business: “I was shocked to get it, but it wasn’t just me – it was the other health advocates as well, so it’s recognition for all of us.
“I was the glue, I suppose, keeping it all together and getting us to the bronze award, but we did it as a team.”
Explaining her role, Karen said: “It’s all about listening to the staff. Things they would like to see more of, we try and make happen. It’s thinking about their physical and mental wellbeing.
Karen Nelson of Senstronics in Newton Aycliffe who has received a Better Health at Work Award. Pictured with colleagues Chris Blackburn, Andrew McQuillen Damien Bass, Dawid Janowiak, Kate Clarke, Travis Smith and Garry Applegarth.
“For example, I’ve been aware of people who’ve had mental health issues, whether at work or in their home life, so anything I can bring in to make their positions at work easier, or help out with the home environment, I’m happy to do that.
“It’s also about encouraging the workforce to ask other staff members ‘how are you feeling today?’
“Just that one line could make someone open up and get something off their chest.”
Karen and her fellow health advocates are now working towards the silver award, with a portfolio to be submitted in June.
But while the awards are welcome confirmation of the Senstronics approach to workplace health, they’re just the icing on the cake.
Head of HR Kate Clark, who secretly nominated Karen for the award, explained: “We’ve always recognised the importance of the health and wellbeing of our employees, but the Better Health At Work Awards allowed us to formalise that and get recognition for it.
“It’s not about recognition, but it puts it all very nicely into a programme that means we have accountability to drive it forward.
“Our Better Health policy is the company’s way of saying ‘you’re not alone – and if you need to talk, there are people available’.
“And if there’s anything they want more help with, we’ll try and bring in more resources so they’ve got more places to turn to.”
Since signing up to the Better Health At Work Awards, Senstronics – double award-winners at last year’s Make Your Mark Awards – has delivered dozens of workshops, webinars and campaigns…and even thousands of pieces of fruit!
But the support and advice given out to colleagues has already literally been life-changing – from helping them cope with a family member’s dementia diagnosis to taking preventative cancer action and cutting down on alcohol and smoking.
Kate added: “The health and wellbeing of our employees is extremely valuable to us in terms of being a great place to work. And because of our health advocates like Karen, we can have a coordinated and structured approach.
“Karen has been a champion of that in terms of making sure we’re listening to what the workforce wants and accessing the right sort of responses.
“We’re very proud of her and our team of health advocates.”
Find out more about Senstronics at senstronics.com