Help make wellbeing a more natural part of your workplace.

Creating a workplace where people feel valued, supported and able to thrive matters. But knowing where to start, or how to build on what you’re already doing, isn’t always easy.

Pharmacist Support’s Embracing a Workplace Wellbeing Culture in Pharmacy Scheme helps pharmacy employers take a practical, supportive approach to workplace wellbeing.

The scheme recognises employers who are committed to creating a positive wellbeing culture, while encouraging continued learning and improvement.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about recognising what you’re already doing well, identifying opportunities to develop and making a meaningful commitment to supporting your people.

On this page

• Why workplace wellbeing matters 
• Benefits of joining the scheme
• Scheme criteria
• Using existing work as evidence
• How the scheme works
• Scheme fees
• Join the scheme

Why workplace wellbeing matters

Workplace pressures can have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of our pharmacy family.

Our 2024 Workforce Wellbeing Survey highlighted some of the challenges facing the pharmacy workforce:

• 87% were at high risk of burnout.
• 35% rated their mental health as poor or very poor.
• 61% had considered leaving their role or the profession due to workplace pressures.
• 41% felt mental health was rarely or never prioritised in their workplace.

Creating a positive workplace wellbeing culture can benefit both employees and organisations. When people feel valued, heard and supported, it can help strengthen relationships, build engagement and give managers greater confidence in supporting their teams. A supportive culture can also contribute to improved performance, reduced sickness absence and better staff retention.

Benefits of joining the scheme

The scheme is designed to support pharmacy employers of different sizes, recognising that every workplace is at a different stage of its wellbeing journey.

By joining, your organisation can:

• Build on existing good practice – recognise what you’re already doing to support workplace wellbeing and identify areas for development.
• Take a practical approach – use a clear framework to help make wellbeing part of everyday working life.
• Support managers and leaders – encourage greater confidence and understanding when supporting employee wellbeing.
• Access learning and resources – including a 50% discount on Pharmacist Support’s Embracing a Workplace Wellbeing Culture course.
• Gain recognition for your commitment – organisations that meet the scheme criteria can receive recognition and an employer badge to demonstrate their commitment to workplace wellbeing.

Scheme criteria

The scheme focuses on six key areas that help create a positive workplace wellbeing culture. To receive recognition, employers will need to demonstrate how they meet the following criteria:

• Manager training – Confirm that you’re working towards at least 50% of managers completing workplace wellbeing training.
• Individual wellbeing plans – Offer all employees an individual wellbeing plan, with support from the organisation and its managers.
• An inclusive culture of belonging – Show how you create a workplace where employees feel valued, supported and able to be themselves.
• Workforce wellbeing – Demonstrate how wellbeing is supported across your organisation through relevant initiatives, activities or resources.
• Work–life balance – Provide examples of how you encourage regular breaks and consider flexible working where appropriate.
• Signposting to wellbeing support – Show how you make information about available wellbeing support clear and accessible to employees.

Using existing work as evidence

You don’t need to start from scratch or duplicate work you’re already doing. If your organisation already provides Mental Health First Aider training, holds Investors in People accreditation or participates in similar initiatives, you can use relevant evidence to support your application where it aligns with the scheme criteria.

You don’t need to have everything in place before joining. The scheme pack provides further guidance on each criterion and what you’ll need to demonstrate when applying for recognition.

How the scheme works

The scheme follows a straightforward process designed to support employers throughout their wellbeing journey.

1. Join the scheme – Register your organisation and pay the relevant scheme fee to receive your scheme pack, including the criteria and guidance.
2. Review your current approach – Use the scheme’s self-assessment framework to explore what your organisation is already doing well and identify opportunities to develop your workplace wellbeing culture.
3. Apply for recognition – When you feel your organisation meets the criteria, submit your self-assessment and supporting information for review.
4. Receive recognition – Organisations that meet the criteria receive recognition for their commitment to workplace wellbeing, along with an employer badge they can use to share that commitment.
5. Continue your wellbeing journey – Recognition is renewed every two years, encouraging organisations to maintain their commitment and continue developing their approach.

Scheme fees

The scheme uses a fee structure based on organisation size, helping make participation accessible to a range of pharmacy employers.

Join the scheme

Ready to make workplace wellbeing a greater priority?

Whether you’re building on existing initiatives or taking your first steps towards a more supportive workplace culture, the Embracing a Workplace Wellbeing Culture scheme can help you move forward.

Join the scheme to access the guidance and resources you need to get started.

If your application meets the scheme criteria, you will receive your Embracing a Workplace Wellbeing Culture employer badge and recognition through the scheme.