GLASGOW, Scotland, May 4, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading insurance intermediary Kwik Fit Insurance has been awarded the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commendation Award from The Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives.

The award has been presented in recognition of the work undertaken to support the mental wellbeing of staff through a series of initiatives and further confirms the company's status as one of the healthiest employers in Scotland.

All staff have the opportunity to drop in to speak with the onsite Occupational Health Advisor about anything concerning them, with issues supported including bereavement, family support and financial stress.

A series of management training programmes have been introduced to help managers identify staff who may need further support and ongoing coaching is provided throughout the year. Mental health campaigns promoting wellbeing have been rolled out to all staff throughout the last year with information about issues and support available.

Dorothy Sneddon is the Occupational Health Advisor at Kwik Fit Insurance and the co-ordinator of the various initiatives that have been recognised with this award. She said: We've been preparing our entry for this award for over a year and we're very proud to have received a special commendation. Staff have responded well to the initiatives we've brought in and it certainly adds up to a healthier and happier workplace.

The Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives was established in April 2005, and is playing a key role in helping to reduce work-related ill health by 20 per cent and days lost to ill health by 30 per cent. In 2009, they awarded Kwik Fit Insurance with a Gold Award in recognition of the work undertaken to provide a healthy workplace including staff health checks, healthy eating at the onsite bistro and support of work in the local community.

Steve Bell, Strategic Director of the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives said: We were impressed with the work that Kwik Fit Insurance have put in to supporting the wellbeing of their staff. We promote the need for employers to focus more on encouraging healthy lifestyles among their workforce and Kwik Fit Insurance is a fantastic example of this. We pass on our congratulations to them on their award.

Brendan Devine, Group Managing Director of Kwik Fit Financial Services added: We work hard to ensure we are the employer of choice in Lanarkshire, and this award further enhances this. Our staff really embrace the health initiatives and facilities we have in place and this can only help add to the success of our business.

Note To Editors

Kwik Fit Insurance Services was launched in 1995 and has grown to become one of the UK's leading car insurance (http://www.kwik-fitinsurance.com/) distributors, as well as a major presence in home and other insurance markets.

The company's award-winning call centre in Uddingston, Lanarkshire, now employs almost 1000 people, and was named top insurer (80th overall) in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2010.

Since its launch in 1995, Kwik Fit Insurance Services has grown and developed into one of Scotland's most dynamic contact centres.

Kwik Fit Insurance Services is part of the Kwik Fit Group owned by private equity firm PAI Partners.

The philosophy of the business is to provide the best possible service to customers.

SOURCE: Kwik-Fit Insurance

CONTACT: Gordon Ross, Kwik-Fit Insurance, T: +44(0)1698-786369