Employee Wellbeing
We believe the success of our company is not only linked to managing our day-to-day relationships with our employees but also to supporting their general wellbeing.
We operate the Care First scheme across all train operating companies, providing confidential advice and support to our employees. Under the scheme, independent specialists in workplace counselling provide an employee assistance programme for problems at home or at work. All employees have unlimited 24-hour access to counsellors and general information services similar to those available through the Citizens Advice Bureaus.
First Great Western's Care First programme is supported by Pathfinders, a well-respected network of employees who volunteer confidential support to their colleagues. Volunteers receive company-sponsored training in first-line counselling skills.
A number of our train operating companies have supported specific programmes focused on health promotion. Following staff feedback First ScotRail held a Wellbeing Week. This included a range of activities including visits from physiotherapists and fitness instructors and a healthy habits day. This targeted shift-work staff and focused on hygiene, coping with changing sleep patterns and beating potential shift-induced fatigue.
Fiona Irvine, Human Resources Director at First ScotRail said, "Our staff are at the core of our business. The aim of the week is to provide them with opportunities to seek advice and information on a host of areas which affect their daily working lives, from fitness to fatigue, health matters to incident support. We will also be asking for feedback from staff to see what we could do further and plan to make this an annual event to ensure the ongoing wellbeing of those who contribute to the overall success of the company."
First TransPennine Express has held a number of Stop Smoking roadshows for staff, prior to the legislation that will make many stations smoke-free areas. Carbon dioxide monitors, smoking calculations and nicotine replacements have been provided to help smokers.