Press Release

Tube scoops top BBC employer health award

16 January 2006

London Underground (LU) has beaten off competition from some of the capital's biggest organisations to take the BBC's Big Health Challenge Most Improved Employer in London Award for 2005.

The accolade, in recognition of LU's continued programme of health awareness with its 12000 employees, was presented by former Olympic athlete Sally Gunnell at the BBC London studios on Monday (16 January). The award is jointly shared with the The Prudential financial services company.

Judges were impressed with LU's contribution to tackling stress levels among staff. By initiating measures such as drop in 'stress surgeries', anger management groups and one to one work with employees, absence - in those employees using the services - in the six months afterwards compared to the six months before has dropped by 79%.

Meanwhile, dozens of staff have taken advantage of the "Waist Management"
programme, a ten week weight loss programme at 17 locations across the capital with incentives including discount cards for healthy meals from staff restaurants.

London Underground Managing Director, Tim O'Toole, said:
"Over the past year we have made a significant effort to raise employee awareness and provide focussed assistance in specific areas such as tackling stress, weight loss and making changes to their own personal lifestyles.

"I am delighted to say that we are making real progress in these areas. Our focus over the next year will be to further enhance the programme of initiatives that already exists and encourage even more staff to take up the excellent services on offer."

Health Works Award judges included Strictly Come Dancing star Colin Jackson; Digby Jones, chief executive of the CBI; Frances O'Grady, deputy general secretary of the TUC; and Ruth Spellman, chief executive of Investors in People.

London Underground will now go through to the national final, the results of which will be broadcast on the BBC 2 programme Working Lunch at the end of the month.