Market Harborough Building Society has signed the mortgage industry mental health charter as part of its commitment to support employees’ health and wellbeing and mental health.
The charter was established to support UK firms operating within the mortgage sector in response to a worsening mental health situation within the industry. The aim is to offer guidance through a framework to help employers best cater to their employees’ mental health needs.
By signing, Market Harborough Building Society has voluntarily agreed to abide by governing rules designed to ensure best practice when dealing with its workforce’s health and wellbeing.
These include developing mental health awareness among employees using activities and advocacy, encouraging open conversations about mental health and the support available to those who may be struggling, and providing staff with good working conditions that encourage a healthy work-life balance and opportunities for development.
Other rules include promoting effective people management through line managers and ensuring there is a focus on physical and mental wellbeing as well as performance, routinely monitoring employee mental health and wellbeing through surveys and regular contact with managers, and having a named contact for mental health support.
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Iain Kirkpatrick, chief executive officer of Market Harborough Building Society, said, “Through our Thrive Agenda, we promise to help our members, staff and community flourish. Signing the charter is a natural next step and shows our unwavering commitment to supporting our staff mental health. As we forge ahead to become best for brokers, we’ll continue to do what’s right for our employees’ wellbeing too.”
The organisation’s benefits package includes free, professional 24/7 wellbeing support, private medical insurance and a health cash plan, mental health first-aiders across the organisation, hybrid working and family-friendly policies, subsidised yoga classes, discounted gym membership, up to three days of paid time off to volunteer, and advice sessions from experts on menopause, nutrition, anti-bullying and dementia support.