Armagh Council score NI first

Staff at Armagh City and District Council are celebrating after becoming the first NI local authority to clinch the Employer of Choice award.

The accolade recognises the Council's long standing commitment to employee wellbeing, dating back to the mid-1990s when the first lifestyle committee was established, encouraging staff to adopt healthier habits.

Armagh Council entered the Employer of Choice Programme in September 2005, starting with a work life balance survey, before developing an action plan to address the issues highlighted by staff in the audit.

John Briggs, Chief Executive, opened an event for Council staff at the Market Place Theatre today to mark the Employer of Choice award.

"We are very proud to be the first Northern Ireland Council to gain this prestigious award. The wellbeing of all our citizens has been one of our key priorities for many years and that, of course, includes our employees.

"Having now received this honour, we do not intend to rest on our laurels and will continue to implement improvements and monitor progress through periodic work life balance audits," said Mr Briggs.

The Employer of Choice event was organised by the Council's current lifestyle committee and featured keynote speakers on debt and financial management, as this was highlighted by employees as the main cause of personal stress.

There was also a presentation on how to avoid becoming a victim of crime, advice on the smoking ban to be implemented from 30 April and a demonstration of how to cook on a budget.

In addition to this, a number of interactive workshops for staff were held, focusing on preventing stress and encouraging healthier lifestyles.

Employer of Choice is now recruiting businesses for the next round of the programme.

(SP)