In recent years, mental health has emerged as a crucial topic in workplace discussions throughout the UK. The rise in awareness surrounding mental well-being has prompted many organisations to re-evaluate their policies and practices – FI being one of them. With many people experiencing mental health issues each year, it’s clear that fostering a supportive work environment is essential. This is not only for overall productivity but for employee well-being.
What are we doing to support mental health in the workplace?
We at FI are increasingly recognising that mental health affects performance, engagement, and retention. In response, we’ve implemented several mental health initiatives, offering employee assistance programs (EAPs) that provide confidential support, and introduced our Inclusion Webinar Series for FI staff.
What is the Inclusion Webinar Series?
The Inclusion Webinar Series is led by a group of four FI employees from several areas of the business. These people work with location, national individuals and charities to run a series of events around inclusion, diversity, and wellbeing. This series promotes effective working and open discussions on key issues facing our staff. The vision is to create a ‘by the people, for the people’ series of events that cover topics – some lighter, some tougher, that connect with the team. Consequently, sessions so far have included microaggressions, PRIDE: Past, present, future, ADHD, and, Techniques to reduce stress and improve sleep. Next, staff will be invited to attend sessions on understanding perimenopause, men’s suicide awareness, and laughter therapy.
The aim is for the wider team to become more empathetic and understanding of one another and for us to build a stronger community. We’ve had some great feedback so far:
“Thanks, Team, I found today’s session interesting and think the whole series is really beneficial. Thank you all for making them happen.”
“It felt like you [the speaker Colin Foley from the ADHD Foundation] were speaking to me personally – both in the way you presented and in the topic overall, so I spent yesterday afternoon doing some deep diving into how I think and spent some time reflecting on the way I do certain things, which I found to be really helpful.”
“Thank you, a great session and valuable series you are putting on.”
“Many thanks for organising the session. I thought it was engaging, interesting, and informative. Looking forward to what comes next.”
What else are we doing across the business to support team members?
Creating a culture of openness is vital. Encouraging employees to speak about their mental health without fear of stigma can foster a more supportive atmosphere. Here are some practical examples of the steps we’ve taken to show we value our employees’ well-being:
- Regular team check-ins
- Mental health days
- Flexible working arrangements
The future
As we move forward, it’s imperative that we, as a business, not only comply with legal obligations but also embrace a proactive stance on mental health. At FI, the conversation around mental health is evolving and is a priority that benefits everyone involved.
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