Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (ADQCC), in collaboration with the Department of Community Development (DCD) and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), has launched the pilot phase of the Active Work Environment Conformity Program in Abu Dhabi to promote a healthy work environment that supports innovation and productivity.
The launch was attended by a number of representatives from key stakeholders in the emirate, underscoring the importance of the programme in fostering physical activity and sports within the workplace, promoting employee wellbeing, and creating a healthy and productive work environment. This, in turn, contributes to enhancing the quality of life in the workplace.
During the event, the Active Work Environment label was unveiled, which will be awarded to entities that meet the programme's criteria. The pilot programme marks an important step toward creating an active society by providing healthy work environments. It aligns with the strategic objectives of the national vision and supports initiatives focused on health and fitness in the workplace.
The pilot phase will be implemented in five government entities and companies, including the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Department of Government Enablement, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), and the Authority of Social Contribution—Ma'an.
The programme will assess several key areas during the evaluation process, including policies and procedures, internal communication, the availability of programmes and services that educate employees about the benefits of physical activity, guidelines for incentives and rewards for physical activity programmes, and the use of technological platforms to track employee activity levels.
His Excellency Mohamed Helal Al Balooshi, Executive Director of Community Engagement and Sports at the Department of Community Development, said: “The programme will contribute to the classification of workplaces, promote a culture of physical activity, and increase employee satisfaction in the entities that adopt the programme. Participation is optional for entities wishing to apply for the Active Work Environment label.
“As the regulator of the social sector, the Department of Community Development is committed to developing sports-related policies and programmes that encourage community members to maintain a balanced lifestyle that integrates work, sport and health. This supports the development of a sustainable community sports culture and highlights the importance of daily physical activity and its positive impact on happiness and wellbeing.”
His Excellency Engineer Badr Khamis Al Shemaili, Executive Director of the Conformity and Standards Sector at ADQCC, said: “At ADQCC, we are committed to supporting initiatives that enhance the quality of life in the workplace, the Active Work Environment Conformity Program is a strategic step towards building a healthy and active society by encouraging organisations to adopt practices that support physical activity and wellbeing. We believe that employee health directly reflects the performance of the organisation, and we strive to achieve this goal through effective partnerships with all stakeholders.”
Suhail Al Arifi, Executive Director of the Sports Development Sector at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, emphasised the programme’s significant value in improving the physical and mental health of employees, fostering an active work environment, promoting wellbeing, and enhancing productivity. Al Arifi also expressed his happiness at partnering with various stakeholders to achieve the programme’s objectives.
