Colas Women's Wellness Campaign Wins National Highways Industry Award

Last night at the National Highways Industry Awards, Colas proudly received the Outstanding Contribution to Health and Wellbeing award for our ‘Women’s Wellness’ Campaign! This award underscores our commitment to creating a healthy working environment within our business, and our work to break the stigma surrounding period dignity.  

Many women, especially in this industry, often feel isolated by what should be an incredibly normal monthly experience. In response to this, the Area 9 team initiated the ‘Women’s Wellness Campaign’ to challenge the stigma surrounding periods, and other women’s physical and mental health in a highway’s workplace.

Through focus groups comprising female colleagues from both site-based and office-based roles, the group delved into the problem surrounding period dignity, and assessed personal perspectives on how ‘women friendly’ a highways workplace is.

Since the launch of the campaign, new, accommodating policies have been developed within our business, as well as the introduction of Women’s Wellness Ambassadors, whose roles are to advocate and promote the wellbeing of women, and have created support network for women across the business.

Philippa Lee, Social Value Advisor in Area 9, and advocate for women’s wellbeing in the workplace, said this:

“We’re thrilled to have won the Outstanding Contribution to Health and Wellbeing award for our work on period dignity and breaking the stigma. This award underscores the importance women’s health and wellbeing in the workplace and making our industry a supportive and inclusive workplace for everyone. I’m proud to be a part of this initiative.”

Lucy Fell, Strategic Roads Director, and advocate for women’s wellbeing in the workplace said:

“This award recognises not only our efforts to break the stigma surrounding period dignity, but is a testament to breaking barriers as a whole, and championing inclusivity, echoing our belief that prioritising women’s health paves the way for a compassionate, and inclusive workplace.”

Congratulations to all involved in the initiative!