Workplace Wellbeing at Baker Labels | Showcasing Our Approach at Essex County Council

Workplace Wellbeing at Bakers: Invited to Present at Essex County Council

This week Baker Labels was invited to present its workplace wellbeing approach to the Health and Wellbeing Board at Essex County Council, following a personal invitation from Cllr John Spence, Chair of the Board.

In the nine years that Cllr Spence has chaired the Board, this was the first time an external business had been invited to present during a meeting. It offered Baker Labels the opportunity to share its approach to supporting staff health, engagement and long-term performance. The meeting was a public event and was broadcast live on YouTube.

Why Baker Labels was invited

Cllr Spence had previously visited Bakers in August when the company hosted digital health checks for its team, delivered in collaboration with Essex Working Well. The visit provided an opportunity to see Baker Labels’ workplace wellbeing initiatives in practice. (Read more about the digital health checks here)

Because of that visit, we were invited to share our experience as a local employer that understands both the business value of workplace wellbeing and the impact it has on employees.

Showcasing Essex employers doing things well

The meeting included presentations from Chris French, Essex Public Health Commissioner, alongside Jack Daniels and Jonathan Cuthbertson, who shared an overview of workplace health initiatives with a particular focus on the Get Essex Working Plan.

It was the first time the Board had been able to showcase a local employer as part of this discussion, highlighting real-world examples of how businesses can support staff health, engagement and retention.

Cllr Spence praised Baker Labels for our holistic approach to wellbeing and the way initiatives are embedded into everyday working life.

Why wellbeing matters at Bakers

We are an independent, family-run label and packaging manufacturer based in Brentwood, Essex that has grown significantly over the past few years. Today, we employ over 125 people across production and office roles. We supply high-quality self-adhesive labels, flexible packaging, materials and athlete ID to customers in the UK and worldwide. With that growth comes responsibility – to our customers, our industry, and most importantly, our team.

“Workplace wellbeing isn’t something we do for recognition,” said Kirsty Dailly, PR & Marketing Manager at Baker Labels. “It’s about creating an environment where people feel valued, supported and able to perform at their best. When that happens, the benefits are felt by both the business and the team.”

Is cost a barrier to workplace wellbeing?

One of the questions raised following the presentation focused on whether the cost of workplace wellbeing programmes could act as a barrier for other businesses.

Kirsty highlighted that many of the most effective elements of workplace wellbeing do not require financial investment. Clear communication, regular engagement, training and development, and a safe, well-maintained working environment all play a critical role in how valued people feel at work.

“These are basic principles of good employment practice,” said Kirsty. “They don’t require large budgets, but they do require commitment.”

Where costs are associated with wellbeing initiatives, we have found that these are consistently outweighed by the savings created through improved staff retention, reduced recruitment costs and a more experienced, engaged workforce.

The value of loyalty and experience

At Bakers, the impact of this approach is visible across the business. Long-serving employees bring knowledge, consistency and strong customer relationships that cannot be easily replaced.

“Experienced teams recognise previous jobs, understand our customers and help maintain high standards,” Kirsty explained. “That level of experience brings enormous value to the business.”

The company also sees wellbeing reflected in its reputation as an employer. Team members regularly recommend Baker Labels as a place to work, and several families now work within the business, including fathers and sons, sisters, husbands and wives, and mothers and daughters.

“We didn’t create our wellbeing programme to win awards,”  Kirsty explained during the meeting. “We created it because we want Bakers to be a genuinely great place to work. If our team feels supported, connected and healthy, everything else follows – quality, service and growth.”

“Manufacturing is fast-paced and demanding. To stay at the forefront of the UK label and packaging industry, we need a workforce that is engaged, skilled and motivated. That’s why our wellbeing approach is built around connection, learning, being active, and giving back. It creates an environment where people can thrive both at work and beyond it.”

What does workplace wellbeing look like in practice?

Workplace wellbeing has to be visible and accessible – not hidden in a policy document. It’s easy to talk about wellbeing in theory but what matters is what people experience day to day when they come through the door.

At Bakers, wellbeing isn’t a single initiative. It’s embedded into how we operate day-to-day. This includes:

• A modern, safe and well-maintained working environment
• An on-site gym and Roy’s (our dedicated staff social space)
• Regular health checks, digital health assessments and wellbeing challenges
• Strong communication, regular one-to-ones and ongoing training and development
• Social events that bring people together. (From fitness challenges to family events)

In 2025 alone, our team took part in everything from charity races and fitness events to creative socials, quizzes, family movie nights and community activities. Each was designed to encourage connection and balance.

Supporting our community and environment

Wellbeing doesn’t stop at our front door. We’re proud to donate a fixed percentage of profits each year to charities and good causes. In 2025 alone this meant donations totalling £175,000. We also actively support local events. From grassroots sport, apprenticeships and environmental initiatives, to creative recycling projects that turn waste materials into animal enrichment resources.

Recognition that reinforces our values

Our approach has been recognised through several awards, including:
• Active Essex Employer of the Year
• Level 3 Essex Working Well Accreditation
• BPIF Training Awards – Outstanding Employer of the Year
• Printweek Awards – Highly Commended Company of the Year

Kirsty shared how external recognition has helped reinforce our approach.“Awards like Active Essex Employer of the Year and our Level 3 Essex Working Well Accreditation matter because they show our team (and the wider industry) that investing in people really does make a difference.”

Looking ahead

Presenting to the Health and Wellbeing Board marked an important milestone for us, but we view workplace wellbeing as an ongoing commitment rather than a finished project. By continuing to invest in people, community and culture, Baker Labels remains focused on building a resilient, engaged workforce and playing an active role in promoting workplace health across Essex.

We’re grateful to Essex Working Well, and The Printing Charity,  for supporting us on this journey – and to our own team, who bring our values to life every day.