Can workplaces be successful health promotion settings? Undoubtedly they can, in both direct and indirect ways. Directly, in being cost effective for companies, and indirectly, in improving the health and well being of all who work in a company. Under European directives the workplace has a responsibility to promote health promotion: this goes beyond health and safety, and protection of the workforce. Using WHO healthy policy principles, workplaces can be seen as a microcosm of society and therefore the principles of health promoting policies can be used to encourage healthy companies.