Department tenders for healthy workplace support service

The Department of Health has gone to tender for a healthy workplace support service.

According to tender documents, the aim of the service is to “drive implementation” of the Healthy Ireland at Work: A National Framework for Healthy Workplaces in Ireland 2021-2025.

The development of the framework, which was published in 2019, was led by the Department of Health and supported by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The overall aim of the framework is to support and enhance health and wellbeing in the workplace setting.

It was designed to align with other government policies and strategies, including the legal obligation to comply with health and
safety legislation.

The framework also advocates for the implementation of health and wellbeing initiatives in the workplace and provides strategic direction and guidance that can be adapted by organisations to help create and sustain a healthy working environment.

Under the framework, an options appraisal and an evidence review of ‘promoting workplace health and wellbeing through culture change’ were completed in 2022. 

In line with the overall objectives of the framework and the findings of the options appraisal, the Department is seeking a provider to drive implementation across workplaces
in Ireland. 

This will require the development and management of a delivery model underpinned by World Health Organisation guidelines and international best practice aimed at fostering effective approaches in the area. 

In adopting the phased approach as recommended in the options appraisal, the tender states 30-to-40 workplaces are to be recruited by the service and collaborated with over a 12-to-18-month period. 

“It is expected that the workplaces selected will represent public, private, and voluntary sector as well as large, small, and medium businesses and it is recommended that the process will align with the steps set out in the healthy workplace framework,” according to the tender.

“This will require a dedicated team of professionals with health promotion experience to ensure fidelity to the settings approach which underpins the healthy workplace framework.”

At the end of the contract period, the successful tenderer will be expected to have developed a model for workplace training to support implementation of healthy workplaces.

It will also be expected to produce a report on key learnings to inform further work in the area.

In addition, and as part of the need to drive wide and deep engagement in health and wellbeing in the workplace, the successful tenderer will be required to take responsibility for the updating and maintenance of the healthy workplace website (https://healthyworkplace.ie)  to ensure accurate and timely information and advice.

The total overall cost of the service should not exceed €400,000 excluding VAT, according to the tender.