This year, the theme for Mental Health Day is “It’s time to prioritise Mental Health in the workplace.” By prioritising mental health, organisations can create a supportive atmosphere that not only enhances individual well-being but also boosts overall productivity and morale. This approach benefits not just the employees, but also the friends, family, the organisations and wider communities. Emphasising mental health in the workplace fosters a culture of care, reduces stigma, and encourages open conversations about mental health challenges and solutions.
At Bedford, we are passionate about providing a well-rounded approach to wellbeing that caters to the different lives we lead. As an EMEA-wide and a remote first company, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with working remotely and aim to cultivate a positive environment that supports our employees’ mental, physical, and emotional health.
We aim to encourage open communication and provide platforms for employees to share their experiences and suggestions. By prioritising well-being, we aim to create a workplace where everyone can thrive and feel valued, ultimately driving our collective success. This means we focus on the following five key areas which are essential when talking about Mental Health:
1. Mental Health
We recognise the importance of mental health and support employees to take sick days for mental health reasons, not just physical sickness. To help our employees manage their responsibilities and maintain a healthy work-life balance, we offer flexible working opportunities, both temporary and permanent, as well as sabbaticals.
Additionally, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides comprehensive support, including mental health resources, legal assistance, and more.
We also have a wellness channel on Slack to promote and support good mental health. This channel provides a space for employees to share recommendations and tips for maintaining good mental health. Our people team posts a Wellness Wednesday quote of the day and thought-provoking infographics to drive engagement and promote positivity.
These options ensure that our team members have the support they need to manage life’s challenges and take a break when necessary.
2. Physical Health
Each year, we take on our One Bedford Challenge, motivating all staff to get active and achieve a collective goal. Last week, we successfully completed this year’s target of 8,000km. While the main aim is to raise funds for an incredible charity, the event also encourages our team to get outdoors, engage in sports, whilst also fostering a sense of purpose and collaboration. It’s truly amazing to witness the support and camaraderie among everyone throughout the 10-day challenge.
3. Work-Life Balance
We conduct regular check-ins to ensure that employees are happy with their work-life balance. One way we do this is through HiBob surveys to touch base and gather feedback. We then discuss this feedback in an All-Hands meeting, providing actions and outcomes to ensure everyone feels seen and heard. A tracker is then provided so that each employee can view the timeline and any leadership advice. This ensures visibility throughout the organisation and fosters a culture of transparency and continuous improvement.
4. Social Connections
We organise and encourage the regions to host various social events and activities to help employees build and maintain strong connections with their colleagues. These can be both in person and online.
In addition to this we have social interest groups on slack to encourage employees to find connection. For example, on the tv and film channel they discuss a range of topics, suggest things to watch and new releases to look forward to. Our women’s network offers a supportive space where women can connect, share ideas, and exchange tips on various topics. Currently, we’re focusing on Mental Health, providing valuable insights and resources to help each other thrive.
We are also excited to announce the launch of a new channel called “Empowered parenting club.” The club offers a new community of like-minded parents to share techniques, methods, and skills to raise their children. It also offers a safe space for parents to share difficult situations they are going through to find support and share triumphs to celebrate.
By providing these opportunities for social interaction, we aim to create a supportive and engaging work environment. The purpose of these initiatives is to strengthen the sense of community, which is crucial in remote-first organisations where individuals might otherwise feel isolated.
5. Personal Development
We offer opportunities for continuous learning and growth, supporting employees in their personal and professional development. We do this by providing access to a variety of training programs, workshops, and seminars. Additionally, we encourage participation in industry conferences and offer a numerical reimbursement for further education. Our lunch and learns, as well as career development plans are designed to help employees achieve their goals and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a culture of innovation, continuous improvement and excellence, ensuring that our team members have the resources and support they need to thrive.
Lastly, we invited our People Operations team to share their perspectives as well:
“Our goal at Bedford is to ensure our employees feel seen, heard and valued. We understand there is a symbiotic relationship between work life and personal life, and that mental health is a continuum of both; people will dynamically flow through ups and downs depending on the different circumstances they face. We aim to treat all our employees as individuals, creating psychologically safe spaces where they can be open and honest about their feelings and challenges, helping us to understand their personal needs and offer support to improve their mental wellbeing.”- Debbie Laird, Head of People Operations
“Creating a culture where people feel comfortable and empowered to openly discuss their mental health is crucial at Bedford. By sharing our experiences and challenges, we can learn so much from another and it’s a reminder that none of us are alone in our journeys, and support is always available when we need it.” – Maryam, People Operations Manager
This holistic approach not only enhances individual well-being but also boosts overall productivity and morale. At Bedford, we are committed to the theme of prioritising Mental Health in the workplace, understanding that good mental health is essential for the well-being of our employees, their families, and the wider community. By fostering a culture of care, reducing stigma, and encouraging open conversations about mental health, we strive to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed.
You can read more about Bedford on our about us page, and the additional initiatives we feel passionate about. For additional information on Mental Health, you can also read our blog ‘prioritising mental health’ here.
