As a responsible employer, Stancold is always looking for ways to better support our team members in every aspect of their life. A 2017 poll by found that just 13% of employees would be comfortable talking about mental illness at work, compared to 36% that would talk openly about their physical health matters.
We live in an era where understanding mental health and what we can do to improve ours and that of others, is rightly being compared to that of our physical wellbeing, and it’s something we at Stancold take very seriously.
Therefore, we are delighted to announce that in January this year, we formally partnered with Able Futures, who deliver the Access to Work Mental Health Service, a programme supported by the Department for Work & Pensions. This service provides up to nine months of confidential one-to-one mental health support to each Stancold staff member, as and when they require it, designed around their needs and at a completely no cost to the individual.
It’s a service available anyone who is employed, not just Stancold employees, where Able Futures offers practical advice and educational resources to raise awareness of mental health in the workplace and assist in giving advice to any colleagues that may require it.
Mental health campaigners, Time to Change, also note that 95% of employees calling in sick with stress will give a different reason, so in being able to demonstrate commitment to this cause, staff attendance and productivity can potentially improve for a happier and healthier workplace.
We’re really pleased to have formed this new partnership, and as a service open to any size of business, it should be a consideration for all employers. More information on Able Futures’ valuable services can be found here.
