Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces

GCHW FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you find that your question(s) has not been answered below, please do not hesitate to contact us: info@globalhealthyworkplace.org

Note: The Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces is the host for the Global Healthy Workplace Awards & Summit.

The Global Healthy Workplace Awards recognise organisations that excel in creating healthy workplaces and can demonstrate measurable improvements in employee health, wellbeing and organisational performance. They are aligned with the WHO Healthy Workplace Framework and highlight organisations that integrate health and wellbeing into their core business strategy.​​

Any employer can apply, regardless of sector, as long as they have an established healthy workplace programme and can provide evidence of activities and outcomes. Organisations apply in one of three categories based on size and reach: Small and Medium-sized (SME), Large, or Multinational.​​ Each category has one winner selected from a shortlist of finalists.

There is no fee to apply for the Awards programme itself. Organisations that also choose to apply for Certification pay an assessment fee, which varies by organisation size and includes a detailed benchmarking process.​

  • Awards identify the leading healthy workplaces globally in each category for a specific year.​​
  • Certification assesses whether an organisation meets a global standard for healthy workplaces and provides formal recognition valid for a defined period (currently two years).​​

Certified organisations are automatically entered into the Awards programme unless they opt out.​

The criteria are closely aligned with the WHO Healthy Workplace Framework and Model. This framework covers four key areas:​​

  • Physical work environment
  • Psychosocial work environment
  • Personal health resources
  • Enterprise–community involvement

The application is organised into six main sections:

  1. Organisational commitment and leadership engagement
  2. Worker involvement
  3. Business ethics and social responsibility
  4. Programmes and policies
  5. Continual improvement, systematic process and outcomes
  6. Sustainability, integration and innovation

There is also a general information section about your organisation and your Healthy Workplace programme.​

Applications are reviewed and scored by an international panel of experienced judges using a structured scoring framework and weighting for each section. Judges look for:

  • Clear strategy and leadership commitment
  • Genuine worker participation
  • Coverage of all four WHO areas
  • Evidence-based programmes
  • Data showing health and business outcomes
  • Long-term sustainability and innovation

Two finalists per category are typically invited to present their programme onsite at the Global Healthy Workplace Awards and Summit (different location every year). During the Summit, finalists deliver a presentation and participate in Q&A with judges, which can earn additional points toward the final decision.​​

Benefits can include:​

  • International recognition as a leading healthy workplace
  • Enhanced employer brand and support for talent attraction and retention
  • Benchmarking feedback and learning from other leading organisations
  • Opportunities to share your case study at the Summit and in associated channels (social media, webinars & publications)
  • Use of the Global Awards Winner or Certification mark in your communications

All applicants are assessed against the same overarching criteria, but judges take into account organisational size, resources and context. For example, SMEs may demonstrate worker participation through simpler structures rather than formal committees. For the Global award organisations with up to 500 employees are SMEs.

Strong applications typically:

  • Tell a clear, coherent story from needs assessment to action to outcomes
  • Present convincing data of health-related and business outcomes explaining the methodology
  • Show integration with business strategy and other functions (e.g. HR, OHS, sustainability)
  • Demonstrate learning, improvement and innovation over time
  • Cover all four WHO healthy workplace areas, not only individual wellbeing activities

Good question but hard to answer. The time required depends on how readily available your information and data are. Many organisations involve multiple departments and recommend starting several weeks or months before the deadline to allow time for data gathering, drafting, internal review and approvals.​​

Applicants are encouraged to review:​​

These resources provide examples of what makes a strong healthy workplace and how to structure your application.