Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail wins Best Health & Wellbeing Strategy at HR Leadership & Management Awards 2025

Riding the legacy of 2025’s champions, Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail claimed the Best Health & Wellbeing Strategy category at the HR Leadership & Management Awards 2025, recognised for its comprehensive programme focused on embedding a culture of health and wellbeing across its organisation.

The award-winning Health and Wellbeing Strategy was designed to ensure that employee health, both physical and mental, is integral to everyday working life. By placing wellbeing at the core of operations, the initiative supports a thriving, engaged, and resilient workforce across a diverse and operationally complex organisation.

Central to the strategy is strong leadership commitment, supported by a wide network of wellbeing champions and tailored interventions that reflect the realities of different roles, including night and shift workers. This inclusive, practical approach ensures support is accessible and relevant across the workforce.

Judges praised the depth and authenticity of the programme. “Our judges were highly impressed by Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail for embedding a people-first health and wellbeing culture across its diverse workforce,” the panel noted.

“Strong leadership, broad champion engagement, and tailored support for night workers show real care in action. Measurable impact, effective incident response, and external recognition highlight the programme’s excellence and influence,” the panel added.

The recognition reflects evolving standards within the HR Leadership & Management Awards, where wellbeing strategies are increasingly judged on their ability to deliver meaningful outcomes, cultural change, and sustained employee engagement.

With eyes on the next awards cycle, Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail’s achievement sets a strong benchmark for organisations seeking to integrate health and wellbeing into strategic workforce planning. The question now is: which employers will lead the next wave of innovation in employee wellbeing, engagement, and organisational care this 2026?

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