Member Article

FLEETCOR recognised by Mind for promoting staff mental health

FLEETCOR® UK today announces it has been credited with a Silver Award in its first entry into the Workplace Wellbeing Index awards by Mind, the mental health charity. The Silver Award is given to employers who have made demonstrable achievements in promoting staff mental health, proving progress and impact over time. 

Mind’s 2020 research into the effects of the pandemic found that more than half of adults and over two thirds of young people said that their mental health had become worse during the first period of lockdown restrictions. It also reported that some are experiencing anxiety around going back to their jobs after working from home or not working for so long. The charity’s Workplace Wellbeing Index is a benchmark of best policy and practice, and its awards celebrate the achievements of its participants, recognising employers taking action to prioritise better mental health in the workplace.

In its first year completing the Mind Workplace Wellbeing Index, FLEETCOR has been recognised for its commitment to mental health and wellbeing. This includes providing all staff managers training in managing mental health, and providing specialised training to more than 20 employees to become Mental Health First Aiders.

It also offers membership to meditation apps, counselling and mental health support services for all staff, as well as holding webinars and seminars to promote awareness, and a dedicated inbox for mental health enquiries. Its Wellbeing and Vitality Champions support employees and ensure the company’s dedicated Mental and Physical Wellbeing Policy is upheld.

Zoe Boreham, HR Director at FLEETCOR UK, said: “The pandemic has been particularly testing for everybody, so never has it been more important to remove the stigma around mental health and create an environment in which it could be discussed freely. So, we tasked ourselves with increasing awareness among staff, teaching skills that would enable our employees to better cope and help those that need support. Part of that was seeing our leaders stand up and talk openly about their experiences too.”

Alan King, FLEETCOR Group President, Europe & Australasia, added: “We are honoured to have been recognised by Mind for our work in supporting our employees with their mental health and wellbeing with a Silver Award, and we owe it to our employees to continue this work and keep up the momentum.”

Emma Mamo, Head of Workplace Wellbeing at Mind, said: “It inspires me to see how all the organisations participating in the Index are taking positive steps to support the mental health of their employees. In the last year, the coronavirus pandemic has affected all our lives; the way we work has fundamentally changed, whether that is working on the frontline or working at home.  Employers therefore faced, and continue to face, significant challenges in effectively supporting the wellbeing of their people in this new and uncertain context. That’s why, this year more than ever, we were delighted to celebrate the employers making mental health a priority for their organisation through our Workplace Wellbeing Awards.  

She added: “As we would expect, the impact of coronavirus on the mental health of staff is a resounding theme in this year’s Index results; working longer hours and poorer work/life balance were key themes.  However, it has been heartening to see how many employers have supported the mental health of their people in this particularly challenging year and these awards provide a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate those forward-thinking employers who are dedicated to investing in the wellbeing of their staff.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lilidh .