The Eden Hotel Group has launched an employee wellbeing strategy for its more than 450 members of staff, to coincide with World Mental Health Day (10 October).
The strategy was shaped by a staff survey, which found that 81% were feeling negatively affected by the current financial situation, 62% suffered from stress and anxiety as a result, and 59% feared they could not meet monthly expenses as energy prices soar.
Based on four key support themes of money, mind, body and heart, the initiative includes installing wellbeing champions at every hotel in the group, altering the distribution of gratuities to monthly to offer a more regular cash boost, and introducing financial wellbeing portal Wagestream.
Other measures include new employee health plans, free flu vaccinations and discounted gym memberships, training staff as mental health first aiders, updating family-friendly policies, support around the menopause, domestic violence and men’s health, and improving free staff meals to provide more nutritional food.
Additionally, a team consisting of the wellbeing champions, HR staff and a general manager, have committed to a 10,000km charity walk today in Stratford-upon-Avon, where its head office is based, in order to raise money for Hospitality Action.
Lisa Redding, head of human resources at Eden Hotel Collection, said: “When we sent our wellbeing survey, we did not envisage it would have the biggest response to any survey we have ever had, but that really re-affirmed our desire to respond to the current climate and needs of our teams.
“It was really important that our support was not about increasing pay any further but being creative by helping in other ways, supporting their financial and mental wellbeing by making changes to the way we work, making wellbeing a key part of our culture and providing teams with the relevant advice and resources.”
Earlier this year, the group announced two pay rises totalling up to 14% and launched an employee wellbeing website with support and resources that highlight self-help books and podcasts.