Leadership

Leadership plays a crucial role in shaping a workplace culture that prioritises health and wellbeing. This standard focuses on how health and wellbeing are integrated into the organisation’s policies, procedures, and daily operations. It examines how leadership, particularly line managers, are equipped to support these initiatives through communication, training, and development strategies, ensuring wellbeing becomes a core aspect of organisational success.

The standards that measure leadership relate to how health and wellbeing is embedded into an organisation's policies and procedures, communication, the role of line managers, training and organisational development.

There are three performance levels for each of the standards within the KeepWell Mark: Commitment, Achievement, and Excellence. To be accredited with the KeepWell Mark, the commitment level will need to be met for all 8 pillars. Once a company reaches commitment level, they can work towards reaching a higher level at their own pace and with guidance from our team of experts.

Commitment level

For companies that are starting out, the commitment level can act as a useful checklist to ensure legal obligations are met. There are seven standards that need to be met to obtain the commitment level for leadership. The topic guide that members receive gives insights and recommendations to assist in achieving this. An example of a standard and the required evidence can be seen below.

Standard: The organisation has assessed its needs and priorities around employee health and wellbeing.

Evidence: The organisation has collected any available information/data related to employee wellbeing, e.g. employee feedback, aggregated health data, organisational priorities. This information has been analysed to highlight the specific health and wellbeing priorities. Evidence of specific needs or priorities identified along with any action plans or initiatives that have been developed to address these priorities.

Achievement level

Having put the buildings blocks in place, companies that meet a further four standards can reach the achievement level.

Standard: The organisation commits to flexible work practices and family friendly policies which promote equal participation for its employees.

Evidence: All requests under the WRC code of practice on flexible and remote working are considered. Flexible and family friendly policies are regularly reviewed, evidence that employee feedback is considered in relation to same. Role modelling by leaders throughout the business - leaders engage in and promote flexible work practices and role-model behaviours, examples of same (e.g. Flexible working arrangements, availing of parental and annual leave, part-time or reduced hours roles). Evidence of promotion and appointment of employees into leadership and management roles which reflect this commitment (e.g. part-time working arrangements, employees with caring responsibilities, a commitment to achieving gender balance at all levels in the organisation).

Excellence level

To continue to build workplace wellbeing and by meeting an additional four standards, a company can work towards the excellence level, the highest achievement possible.

Standard: The organisation understands, defines, communicates and reinforces the attributes required to be an effective leader.

Evidence: Mechanisms exist to ensure the organisation continuously evaluates what is required to be an effective leader in the current and future world of work, and demonstrates a framework exists to reinforce these new skills and behaviours, i.e. leadership competency framework, leadership evaluations, engagement survey scores, employee feedback on leadership effectiveness, examples of communication plans to employees.

The Next Steps

The KeepWell Mark is the benchmark for national standards of workplace wellbeing in Ireland and the standards, guidance and resources to support understanding and implementation of these standards.

Benchmark your organisation by taking our free mini assessment or contact us to receive more information.