VEKA’s long-term commitment to health and wellbeing

By VEKA plc

22 Mar 2021

VEKA, the Burnley-based manufacturer of UPVC windows and doors, is one of the county’s largest employers.

The company takes the health and wellbeing of its employees seriously and here Gabriela Hammond, head of human resources, talks Lancashire Business View through its various efforts to support its workforce. 

Gabriela joined VEKA as HR manager in 2008 and then progressed to head of department by 2011. As a mother of a toddler, health and wellbeing are high on Gabriela’s agenda both professionally and personally. During her time at VEKA she has led several initiatives including introducing healthcare cash plans for all employees.

How important is the health and wellbeing of employees to VEKA plc?

Health and wellbeing have always been a key objective at VEKA plc. As a family-owned business its values have been part of our ethos from the beginning. 

Covid-19 has undoubtedly given us added focus on the wellbeing of our people, and this year we introduced a new brand positioning statement, ‘We Care We Act’. 

This was developed as we reflected on how our business coped during the pandemic and the importance of the people around us; whether the broader VEKA Group or our own team. 

Many are struggling with the balance of home and work and missing the interaction of friends and so we have looked at how we can develop and evolve what we do and how we look after our people. 

Our first initiative is understanding and helping everyone understand mental health a little better and so our team leaders have been trained in mental health awareness and this year we will be adding to our knowledge with the training and appointment of mental health first aiders. 

How does caring for your employees look on a day-to-day basis?

Our two human resources business partners are mental health first aiders, which gives them the ability to focus on the needs of the employee when working with departmental managers. 

These accreditations will be rolled out department by department during 2021. 

During this past year we have developed a toolkit our employees can access. Our internal Intranet (VEKANet) now has an additional section, (developed during lockdown), purely aimed at employee help tools, covering topics such as health, exercise and homeschooling.

How do you measure the success of these initiatives?

VEKA is committed to achieving its strategic objective of being a ‘great place to work.’ 

Every manager has set their own KPIs on how they will contribute to making this happen and we also conduct regular staff surveys to measure our progress. We also have a staff forum that meets every month and this is a key measurement of wellbeing in our business. 

We have also made it very clear in our strategy and our statements that although as a company we are ambitious, our success will be sustainable, and we will never put the livelihoods of our people at risk.  

www.vekauk.com

  • To read this feature in full and access further Lancashire business news, advice and analysis subscribe to Lancashire Business View magazine or join the LBV Hub from just £2.50 per month. Click here to subscribe now.

Enjoyed this? Read more from VEKA plc

Latest news

1

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London. The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and the Rt Hon Steve Reed (L-R Front Row) David Hammond, and Daniel Knowles

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London.

30 Apr 2025

2

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield Edenfield housing development

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield

29 Apr 2025

3

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens Dovestone Gardens launch

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens

29 Apr 2025

4

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success Louise Kirby

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success

29 Apr 2025

5

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire Lidl

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire

29 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase
13421_research_knowledge_exchange_2025_600x300.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
07 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships
30478 Skills Bootcamp open day setting.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin