Restaurant chain Nando’s has launched a mental health support service for its 18,000 UK employees in order to improve wellbeing and raise awareness of related issues.
The service was introduced to coincide with Time to Talk Day (Thursday 2 February). Nando’s partnered with programme provider Maximus to offer its workforce the cost-free Access to Work Mental Health Support Service. Funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), this provides nine months of confidential one-to-one support for those struggling with their mental health, including coping skills and workplace adjustments so they can return to, or remain in, work.
Nando’s employees will have access to a package of mental health workplace support that includes wellness recovery action plans, expert guidance on workplace adjustments, mental health training, and support clinics and webinars for restaurant managers and central teams so they can direct anyone experiencing mental health problems to relevant assistance.
According to the restaurant, it introduced this service because it is committed to improving mental health support availability for its employees.
Rob Bray, people director at Nando’s, said: “In the UK, one in four people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year. At Nando’s we’re working towards removing any stigma attached to mental health by making it easy and okay to ask for help, wherever you work in the business. We’re super proud to be the first restaurant chain working with Maximus to offer colleagues access to trained professionals, as well as mental health clinics. Ultimately, we want to help people manage any issues and stay working with us.”
Tom Pursglove MP, minister for disabled people, health and work, added: “On Time to Talk Day all employers across the UK should reflect on how they can support the mental health and wellbeing of their staff. I am delighted that Nando’s, a major UK employer, is using this to shine a light on the importance of mental health in the workplace.”