Pladis joins companies like Heineken and Southern Water, as well as many NHS trusts, universities and local authorities in making the commitment.
According to Sue Baker, director of Time to Change, one in six British workers experiences mental illness. Despite this, a recent report found that 40% of the mental health trusts in England has seen cuts to the budgets, said Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of mental health charity Sane.
As such, it’s crucial that UK employers support staff at all levels to open up, to talk and to listen.
Domino effect
“It’s fantastic to see companies like Pladis making a commitment that will ultimately help improve its productivity and create a happy and engaged workforce,” said Baker.
At the pledge signing held at the company’s headquarters in Hayes, Middlesex, on Tuesday, Jon Eggleton, Pladis’ MD UK & Ireland, noted that mental health is a big part of the company’s agenda.
Aligned to its commitment, the global biscuit and confectionery company has assigned mental health and wellbeing ambassadors at its 13 sites across UK and Ireland to support its 4,600 employees.
It will also provide mental health awareness training and workplace stress guidance for managers and senior leadership teams, as well as a confidential telephone support line and counselling for employees and their families.
Royal attention
Mental health has been giving a boost recently by Prince Harry, Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, who are pushing to end the stigma surrounding mental health through their charity, Heads Together.
Recently, Heads Together released a series of videos – called #oktosay – encouraging people to voice their struggles. Comedian Stephen Fry (who has been vocal about his struggles with bio polar), footballer Rio Ferdinand and American actress Ruby Wax participated in the making of the series, called #oktosay.