North-west recruitment agency Jobwise has launched a wellness initiative to help its staff to achieve healthier lifestyles, believing it will improve employee morale, reduce absence and lead to increased performance and productivity.

The initiative was launched with a wellness policy that outlined their objectives and intentions; a corporate wellness company was then commissioned to carry out wellness tests for all members of staff.

Staff were tested on cholesterol levels, blood pressure, body mass index, hip to waist ratio and body fat. Anyone that was not happy with their results was given advice on how to improve them.

The staff gathered in a hotel in Daresbury and took part in various types of exercise, including power walking, Pilates and Boxercise and received advice on nutrition, smoking cessation and stress.

Grant Barton, managing partner says: “The response from staff has been overwhelming, everyone excelled themselves on the day and I was really impressed with the enthusiasm shown – I for one will be changing a few things as a result of the day!”