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Criteria:
The judges will be looking for nominees who demonstrate:
- exceptional motivation and commitment to improving mental health in the workplace
- authenticity and/or vulnerability in their work to improve mental health at work
- courage and leadership in presenting new ideas, overcoming obstacles and influencing key stakeholders
- collaborative engagement and effective communication with key stakeholders and staff
- a scalable and sustainable positive impact on mental health in the workplace
- an inclusive approach that values diversity fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion among staff of different backgrounds
- innovation and creativity in developing, implementing and improving workplace mental health initiatives and programmes

Eligibility and other requirements:
- The nominee must be employed in a formal HR, Health & Safety, Wellbeing or Diversity & Inclusion role

Recognising an individual staff member or manager who has gone above and beyond to help improve mental health within the workplace.

Criteria:
The judges will be looking for nominees who demonstrate:
- exceptional motivation and commitment to improving mental health in the workplace
- authenticity and/or vulnerability in their work to improve mental health at work
- courage and leadership in presenting new ideas, overcoming obstacles and influencing key stakeholders
- collaborative engagement and effective communication with key stakeholders and staff
- a significant positive impact on mental health in the workplace (eg. stigma reduction; awareness raising; mental health conversations; improving knowledge, skills and confidence; improving staff engagement; improving team or workplace culture)
- an inclusive approach that values diversity fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion among staff of different backgrounds
- innovation and creativity in their approach to improving mental health at work

Eligibility and other requirements:
- The nominee may be an individual employee or people manager who is not a senior leader in the workplace (eg. director, CEO, direct report of CEO)

Recognising an individual with lived experience of neurodiversity, mental illness or mental distress, who has demonstrated leadership by role modelling, reducing stigma and driving positive mental health conversations.

What we mean by "neurodiversity":
Neurodiversity is a diverse range natural variations in the human brain which can affect how someone thinks, communicates, learns and reacts. Although some of these variations are formally identified as neurological conditions (eg. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyscalculia, dyslexia, dyspraxia, intellectual disability, and Tourette syndrome), Neurodiversity is an umbrella term that includes both conditions that are life-long and those that can develop throughout life, including acquired illness and brain injury.

Criteria:
The judges will be looking for nominees who demonstrate:
- exceptional motivation and commitment to improving mental health in the workplace
- authenticity and/or vulnerability in their work to improve mental health at work, including by safely sharing their lived experience to reduce stigma, raise awareness and support a positive workplace culture around mental health
- courage and leadership in sharing their lived experience in a safe and supportive way for the benefit of others
- collaborative engagement and effective communication with key stakeholders and staff
- a significant positive impact on mental health in the workplace (eg. stigma reduction; awareness raising; mental health conversations; improving knowledge, skills and confidence; improving staff engagement; improving team or workplace culture)
- an inclusive approach that values diversity fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion among staff of different backgrounds
- innovation and creativity in their approach to improving mental health at work

Recognising a senior leader at work (eg. director, CEO, direct report of CEO) who has demonstrated leadership in improving mental health within their workplace.

Criteria:
The judges will be looking for nominees who demonstrate:
- exceptional motivation and commitment to improving mental health in the workplace
- authenticity and/or vulnerability in their work to improve mental health at work
- courage and leadership in championing and supporting workplace mental health within the workplace ,including influencing key stakeholders and using their senior leadership position to positively influence the organisation's culture and approach to workplace mental health (eg. influencing and leading workplace mental health vision, strategy, values, policy and prioritisation; executive sponsorship of key workplace programmes or initiatives)
- collaborative engagement and effective communication with key stakeholders and staff
- a significant positive impact on mental health in the workplace (eg. stigma reduction; awareness raising; mental health conversations; improving knowledge, skills and confidence; improving staff engagement; improving team or workplace culture)
- an inclusive approach that values diversity fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion among staff of different backgrounds
- innovation and creativity in their approach to improving mental health at work

Eligibility and other requirements:
- The nominee must be in a senior leadership role (eg. director, CEO, direct report of CEO)

This lifetime achievement award recognises an individual who has devoted much of their working life to improving workplace mental health in New Zealand.

Criteria:
The judges will be looking for nominees who demonstrate:
- exceptional motivation and commitment to improving mental health in the workplace, over a significant portion of their working life
- authenticity and/or vulnerability in their work to improve mental health at work
- courage and leadership in championing and supporting workplace mental health within the workplace
- collaborative engagement and effective communication with key stakeholders and staff
- a significant positive impact on mental health in the workplace (eg. stigma reduction; awareness raising; mental health conversations; improving knowledge, skills and confidence; improving staff engagement; improving team or workplace culture)
- an inclusive approach that values diversity fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion among staff of different backgrounds
- innovation and creativity in their approach to improving mental health at work

Eligibility and other requirements:
- Self-nomination is not permitted for this awards category
- Please do not advise the nominee that they have been nominated
- Because of the nature of this award, it will be given to a person who is in the later stages of their working life
- The judges may hold nominations over for
consideration in future years

Recognising a new workplace mental health programme that is showing significant potential to improve mental health within the workplace.

Criteria:
The judges will be looking for nominees who have developed a recent a recent programme or initiative that demonstrates:
- a significant potential to improve an workplace mental health within the organisation
- collaborative engagement and effective communication with key stakeholders and staff
- cutting edge evidence-based thinking, innovation and creativity
- good alignment with the organisation's values, strategy and organisational priorities
- qualitative and quantitative positive impacts on workplace mental health at the individual, team and organisational level
- a sustainable, scalable approach that identifies and addresses workplace mental health risks, empowers staff, improves skills and capability and fosters a strong workplace mental health culture
- broad support across the workplace, including among senior management, people managers and staff
- an inclusive approach that values diversity and fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion
- an adaptive, flexible, iterative approach that is implemented effectively across the organisation to staff across different locations, levels of seniority, experience, work type and demographic backgrounds

Eligibility and other requirements:
- This programme must have been established within the 18 month period ending on 30 June 2022.

Recognising a workplace mental health programme demonstrating significant positive mental health impacts for a targeted group of staff.

This may be staff with any distinguishing characteristic or trait, including staff with a particular role type, gender or gender identity, age, ethnicity, nationality, physical appearance, disability, neurodiversity or thinking style, religion, sexual orientation, cultural background or family status.

Criteria:
The judges will be looking for nominees who have developed a programme or initiative that demonstrates the following for the target group:
- a significant potential to improve an workplace mental health for the target group
- collaborative engagement and effective communication with key stakeholders and staff
- cutting edge evidence-based thinking, innovation and creativity
- good alignment with the organisation's values, strategy and organisational priorities
- qualitative and quantitative positive impacts on workplace mental health
- a sustainable, scalable approach that identifies and addresses workplace mental health risks, empowers staff, improves skills and capability and fosters a strong workplace mental health culture
- broad support across the workplace, including among senior management, people managers and staff
- an inclusive approach that values diversity and fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion
- an adaptive, flexible, iterative approach that is implemented in a way that might allow for it to be expanded or adapted more broadly across the organisation

Recognising excellence and leadership in designing and implementing workplace policies and practices that support and strengthen diversity and inclusion in the area of mental health and wellbeing.

Criteria:
The judges will be looking for nominees who have designed and implemented workplace neurodiversity and mental health policies and practices demonstrating:
- a significant potential to improve the organisation's approach to welcoming and supporting staff with neurodiversity or mental health conditions
- a holistic approach that has regard to the full employee lifecycle, including attraction, recruitment, onboarding, development and retention
- collaborative engagement and effective communication with key stakeholders and staff
- cutting edge evidence-based thinking, innovation and creativity
- good alignment with the organisation's values, strategy and organisational priorities
- qualitative and quantitative positive impacts on workplace mental health and on employee experience for staff with neurodiversity and mental health conditions
- a sustainable, scalable approach that identifies and addresses workplace mental health risks, empowers staff, improves skills, and fosters a strong workplace mental health culture
- broad support across the workplace, including among senior management, people managers and staff
- an inclusive approach that values diversity and fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion
- an adaptive, flexible, iterative approach that is implemented effectively across the organisation to staff across different locations, levels of seniority, experience, work type and demographic backgrounds

What we mean by "neurodiversity":
Neurodiversity is a diverse range natural variations in the human brain which can affect how someone thinks, communicates, learns and reacts. Although some of these variations are formally identified as neurological conditions (eg. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyscalculia, dyslexia, dyspraxia, intellectual disability, and Tourette syndrome), Neurodiversity is an umbrella term that includes both conditions that are life-long and those that can develop throughout life, including acquired illness and brain injury.

Recognising the outstanding use of innovation or technology to improve workplace mental health outcomes and culture.

Note: You don't need to have employed a technology solution to enter this category. Innovation can take many forms, including developing new ideas and processes, co-creating with staff and more.

Criteria:
The judges will be looking for nominees who have used technology or innovation to improve mental health at work and who have demonstrated:
- a significant potential to improve an workplace mental health within the organisation
- cutting edge evidence-based thinking, innovation and creativity
- good alignment with the organisation's values, strategy and organisational priorities
- qualitative and quantitative positive impacts on workplace mental health at the individual, team and organisational level
- a sustainable, scalable approach that identifies and addresses workplace mental health risks, empowers staff, improves skills and capability and fosters a strong workplace mental health culture
- broad support across the workplace, including among senior management, people managers and staff
- an inclusive approach that values diversity and fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion
- an adaptive, flexible, iterative approach that is implemented effectively across the organisation to staff across different locations, levels of seniority, experience, work type and demographic backgrounds

Recognising excellence in the design and delivery of learning resources and programmes aimed at improving mental health awareness and capability.

Criteria:
The judges will be looking for nominees who have developed a learning resources and programmes that demonstrate:
- a significant potential to improve an workplace mental health within the organisation
- collaborative engagement and effective communication with key stakeholders and staff
- cutting edge evidence-based thinking, innovation and creativity
- good alignment with the organisation's values, strategy and organisational priorities
- qualitative and quantitative positive impacts on workplace mental health at the individual, team and organisational level
- a sustainable, scalable approach that identifies and addresses workplace mental health risks, empowers staff, improves skills and capability and fosters a strong workplace mental health culture
- broad support across the workplace, including among senior management, people managers and staff
- an inclusive approach that values diversity and fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion
- an adaptive, flexible, iterative approach that is implemented effectively across the organisation to staff across different locations, levels of seniority, experience, work type and demographic backgrounds

Recognising excellence in engaging and communicating with staff in relation to mental health within the workplace.

Criteria:
The judges will be looking for nominees who have worked to engage and communicate with staff regarding mental health in a way that demonstrates:
- support and enhancement of the relevant workplace mental health programmes and initiatives
- collaborative engagement and effective communication with key stakeholders and staff
- a significant potential to improve an workplace mental health within the organisation
- cutting edge evidence-based thinking, innovation and creativity
- good alignment with the organisation's values, strategy and organisational priorities
- qualitative and quantitative positive impacts on workplace mental health at the individual, team and organisational level
- a sustainable, scalable approach that identifies and addresses workplace mental health risks, empowers staff, improves skills and capability and fosters a strong workplace mental health culture
- broad support across the workplace, including among senior management, people managers and staff
- an inclusive approach that values diversity and fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion
- an adaptive, flexible, iterative approach that is implemented effectively across the organisation to staff across different locations, levels of seniority, experience, work type and demographic backgrounds

Recognising an external provider of workplace EAP services, technology solutions, consulting or training services that has demonstrated innovation, leadership and positive impact in improving mental health within New Zealand workplaces.

Criteria:
The judges will be looking for nominees who demonstrate the following in their work to improve workplace mental health within client organisations:
- exceptional motivation and commitment to improving workplace mental health
- development and implementation of effective workplace mental health strategies
- collaborative engagement and effective communication with key stakeholders and staff
- cutting edge evidence-based thinking, innovation and creativity
- qualitative and quantitative positive impacts on workplace mental health at the individual, team and organisational level
- a sustainable, scalable approach that empowers staff, improves organisational capability and fosters a strong workplace culture
- broad support across the client workplaces, including among senior management, people managers and staff
- an inclusive approach that values diversity and fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion
- an adaptive, flexible, iterative approach that can be effectively implemented across a broad range of workplaces of differing organisation sizes, industries, work types, staff demographics and geographic spreads

You must provide written client references in order to enter this category.

Recognising an employer with up to 200 employees that has demonstrated leadership, innovation and impact in improving mental health within its workplace.

Criteria:
The judges will be looking for nominees who, having regard to the smaller size of the workplace, demonstrate:
- exceptional motivation and commitment to improving workplace mental health
- development, implementation and/or support of clear and compelling workplace mental health strategies
- collaborative engagement and effective communication with key stakeholders and staff
- cutting edge evidence-based thinking, innovation and creativity
- qualitative and quantitative positive impacts on workplace mental health at the individual, team and organisational level
- a sustainable, scalable approach that identifies and addresses workplace mental health risks, empowers staff, improves skills and capability and fosters a strong workplace mental health culture
- broad support across the workplace, including among senior management, people managers and staff
- an inclusive approach that values diversity and fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion
- an adaptive, flexible, iterative approach that is implemented effectively across the organisation to staff across different, locations, levels of seniority, experience, work type and demographic backgrounds
- the use of the organisation's brand and sphere of influence to share knowledge and promote awareness of the business benefits of improved workplace mental health outside the organisation (eg. across an industry, sector or the wider community)

Recognising an employer with over 200 employees that has demonstrated leadership, innovation and impact in improving mental health within its workplace.

Criteria:
The judges will be looking for nominees who demonstrate:
- exceptional motivation and commitment to improving workplace mental health
- development, implementation and/or support of clear and compelling workplace mental health strategies
- collaborative engagement and effective communication with key stakeholders and staff
- cutting edge evidence-based thinking, innovation and creativity
- qualitative and quantitative positive impacts on workplace mental health at the individual, team and organisational level
- a sustainable, scalable approach that identifies and addresses workplace mental health risks, empowers staff, improves skills and capability and fosters a strong workplace mental health culture
- broad support across the workplace, including among senior management, people managers and staff
- an inclusive approach that values diversity and fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion
- an adaptive, flexible, iterative approach that is implemented effectively across the organisation to staff across different, locations, levels of seniority, experience, work type and demographic backgrounds
- the use of the organisation's brand and sphere of influence to share knowledge and promote awareness of the business benefits of improved workplace mental health outside the organisation (eg. across an industry, sector or the wider community)

Recognising a public sector workplace that has demonstrated leadership, innovation and impact in improving mental health within its workplace.

Criteria:
The judges will be looking for nominees who demonstrate:
- exceptional motivation and commitment to improving workplace mental health
- development, implementation and/or support of clear and compelling workplace mental health strategies
- collaborative engagement and effective communication with key stakeholders and staff
- cutting edge evidence-based thinking, innovation and creativity
- qualitative and quantitative positive impacts on workplace mental health at the individual, team and organisational level
- a sustainable, scalable approach that identifies and addresses workplace mental health risks, empowers staff, improves skills and capability and fosters a strong workplace mental health culture
- broad support across the workplace, including among senior management, people managers and staff
- an inclusive approach that values diversity and fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion
- an adaptive, flexible, iterative approach that is implemented effectively across the organisation to staff across different, locations, levels of seniority, experience, work type and demographic backgrounds
- the use of the organisation's brand and sphere of influence to share knowledge and promote awareness of the business benefits of improved workplace mental health outside the organisation (eg. across an industry, sector or the wider community)

Recognising the organisation that the judges consider has demonstrated the greatest degree of leadership, excellence and positive impact relating to mental health within the workplace.

Entries are not directly submitted for this award category. The winner will be selected from the winners of the Programme and Excellence Awards and Workplace Awards.