Boiler manufacturer Worcester Bosch announced yesterday (4 November 2019) that it is supporting the Time to Change Employer Pledge as part of its mental health strategy.
The organisation, which has headquarters in Worcester and a manufacturing plant in Clay Cross, Derbyshire, aims to raise awareness of mental illness and educate its 1,850 employees in dealing with mental health issues.
The pledge is run by charity Time to Change, with the goal of changing the way organisations and employees think and act about mental health in the workplace.
Time to Change has put together an employer six step action plan to give employers the tools to: produce, implement and communicate a mental health at work plan; develop mental health awareness among employees; encourage open conversations about mental health and the support available when employees are struggling; provide employees with good working conditions and ensure they have a healthy work-life balance and opportunities for development; promote effective people management through line managers and supervisors; and routinely monitor employee mental health and wellbeing.
Other organisations that have signed the pledge so far include corporate fitness provider Gympass, PR firm Speed, banking organisation TSB, Train operator Transport for Wales, learning business Emerald, and Southwark Council.
Signing the employer pledge is part of Worcester Bosch's ongoing commitment to mental health in the workplace. In 2018 and 2019, the organisation trained 200 mental health first aid champions across the business, and it intends to continue training staff with further sessions scheduled for 2019 and 2020.
The organisation is continuing to raise awareness by backing mental health national days such as Time to Talk (6 February 2020), World Mental Health Day (10 October 2020) and Mental Health Awareness Week (4 to 10 October 2020).
Worcester Bosch has also hosted dedicated mental health events during 2018 and 2019, with speakers including inspirational speaker Nick Elston, who hosted ‘Talking Anxiety’ for Mental Health Awareness Week in 2019, and former professional footballer Clarke Carlisle, who supported its 2018 Mental Health Awareness Week. SuperHumans coach Rob Holcroft has also been supporting Worcester Bosch’s mental health first aid champions.
Carl Arntzen, chief executive officer at Worcester Bosch, said: “We understand the importance of raising awareness around mental health within all levels of our organisation. By pledging our support to the Time to Change movement, we are making further steps towards ensuring all our employees feel comfortable both within work and within themselves, and that mental health awareness remains a top priority within Worcester Bosch.”
Jo Loughran, director at Time to Change, added: “With nine in 10 of those who experience mental health problems facing stigma and discrimination as a result, it’s great that Worcester Bosch [is] pledging to support [its] employees by encouraging them to speak openly about their mental health and ensuring a workplace culture where it is safe to do so.”
