FEATURE
Spelling it out – SABIC colleagues were asked to write out their wishes for 2023 during the UMATTER event . Senior HR business partner Nicola Duffey is pictured ( right ).
Colleagues were asked to make suggestions for initiatives that would improve their personal health and wellbeing and write their wishes for 2023 on a huge model .
Further engagement opportunities took place on each afternoon of the event , with colleagues having the choice between go-karting , bowling or Christmas wreath-making .
SABIC also wanted to understand how best to refine and implement the Health and Wellbeing Strategy for 2023 in a way that would provide the most positive impact on its employees and their families .
The firm undertook a confidential health survey among its staff , the results of which not only provided the company with a report on how employees could best be supported but also gave employees a personal lifestyle report and their “ vitality ” age .
SABIC ’ s senior HR business partner , Nicola Duffey , said : “ Following a tumultuous few years at the site , with business restructuring and the Covid pandemic , we noticed a steady increase in our sickness absence rates , particularly due to mental health and musculoskeletal issues .
“ This was the main driver for conducting the organisational health survey , so we could take a more proactive approach to improving the health and wellbeing of our employees .
“ We used the results of the survey and the feedback from our UMATTER days to formulate SABIC ’ s revamped health and wellbeing strategy .
“ We not only looked at the main causes of absence and how we could better support employees with health issues , we are also using a group of volunteers from across the site , our
‘ health advocates ’, to look at the survey results and the UMATTER feedback and help develop a short , medium and longterm health and wellbeing programme .
“ The Health and Wellbeing Steering Group and Health Advocates are in the process of bringing to life an active plan , which will continue to support employee wellbeing as well as increasing levels of engagement .
“ For example , we are currently exploring gym memberships , smoothie-making and healthy cooking demonstrations , Pilates and yoga , hypnotherapy , meditation and also offering flexible working hours to help facilitate a better work-life balance and promote a healthier lifestyle .
“ Undertaking work in the community is good for mental health , so we are also promoting our volunteering scheme , education liaison work , charity committee and organising a calendar of events to encourage employees to get involved and be part of our SABIC community .”
Last year , a team of 40 colleagues climbed Roseberry Topping in the dark for a sponsored headlight walk in aid of the Russ Devereux Headlight Project . The seven-mile walk raised £ 3,000 for the charity through SABIC ’ s corporate social responsibility fund .
A European-wide Step Challenge takes place annually , whereby SABIC employees compete either against each other or in teams for 21 days .
The winning team and individual winners are able to give a donation to a charity of their choice , with the donation sponsored by SABIC .
This year , Teesside employees will be invited to participate in a SABIC European cycle race for charity , which will take place near SABIC ’ s Geleen site in the Netherlands .
Teams from Teesside are also given the opportunity to play against their European colleagues in the SABIC annual football tournament , also held in the Netherlands .
More locally , there are also plans to form running and walking groups . However , it ’ s not just about sport – other activities planned include book clubs and painting sessions .
Jos Visser , who joined the Teesside site last June as site director , emphasises the importance of personal health and wellbeing .
The Dutch national encourages colleagues to strike a healthy work-life balance and sets a good example by leaving his desk to run up the Eston Hills and to make time for family and hobbies outside of work .
Jos recently joined the Wilton Centre gym and is supportive of colleagues using flexible working to take in a walk , yoga or fitness class while at work .
After his arrival in the UK , Jos joined Yarm Running Club and he also enjoys cycling , walking , tennis and skiing .
Jos understands the importance of employee engagement to keep people connected , engaged and motivated .
He said : “ It ’ s been a difficult few years for the Teesside site , but as we progress now with the Teesside Improvement Project , we must keep the emphasis on health and safety and remaining alert .
“ Health and safety is a top priority for SABIC and runs hand in hand with health and wellbeing – being motivated and looking out for one another .
“ We enjoyed a record-breaking health and safety record for 2022 and I ’ m sure with the wide range of initiatives being progressed so far , we will have a recordbreaking health and wellbeing record too .”
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