Retail and commercial banking organisation TSB has announced that it will sign the the Time to Change pledge, showing its commitment to support the mental health of its employees.
The pledge, run by charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, supports TSB's commitment to tackling the stigma associated with mental health, and will commit the organisation to an action plan, the aim of which is to drive a change in attitudes and behaviours towards those facing mental health problems.
TSB will formally sign the Time to Change pledge on Wednesday 15 May. The bank's action plan will aim to create a working environment in which every employee feels able to openly talk about mental health and receive the correct support.
TSB announced that its plan includes the availability of mental health awareness training to all employees through an e-learning course developed by Mind, as well as building a network of mental health first aiders in the workplace. So far, TSB has trained 21 mental health first aiders and is working to identify areas of the business where these individuals might have the greatest impact.
The plan will also focus on normalising conversations about mental health by encouraging employees, including senior leaders, to share personal experiences. It will also encourage managers to keep mental wellbeing on the agenda during one-to-one meetings and team meetings.
Iain Laing, chief risk officer and executive sponsor for wellbeing at TSB, says: “Mental health is an issue we can’t afford to ignore. [According to Time to Change,] a quarter of British workers are affected by conditions like anxiety, depression and stress every year, so it really isn’t something that any of us should feel uncomfortable talking about.
“That’s why I’m delighted to sign up to the Time to Change Pledge, which not only commits the bank to an action plan for change, but also gives a very clear message to all of our [employees] that talking about mental health isn’t a taboo. In fact, it’s something we encourage. Because no one should feel the need to say, 'I’m fine' when they’re not.”
