Building Trust and Supportive Environments for Mental Health
At Pickles, we believe that caring for the wellbeing of our team members is paramount. That's why we actively support initiatives like R U OK? day and STEPtember to promote mental health awareness and create a supportive environment for our employees. We also work closely with partners who support important initiatives that focus on the importance of mental health. One such partnership is our Corporate Charity Partnership with Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds Foundation (HHTS), an industry umbrella body created to improve mental health and wellbeing across the road transport, warehousing and logistics sector in Australia.
HHTS was launched in August 2020 to bring awareness to mental health and wellbeing issues across the road transport and logistics industries, with the key goal of lessening and preventing mental health issues. And they even have their own R U OK? day in May each year to keep conversations around mental health and wellbeing going year-round.
At Pickles, we support and promote a variety of initiatives throughout the year. In light of R U OK? day — a nationwide campaign that encourages individuals to reach out and connect with their loved ones, colleagues, and friends — we want to emphasise the importance of genuine, meaningful conversations about mental health.
Here's how we — at Pickles — are trying to make a difference on R U OK? day:
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Trust & connection: Trust is the foundation of any meaningful conversation, especially when discussing sensitive topics like mental health. As a company, we foster trust among our team members by promoting a culture of openness, support, and empathy. Our employees know that they can turn to their colleagues or supervisors for a caring and non-judgmental ear.
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Authenticity: We believe in the power of authenticity when asking the question, "R U OK?" It's not just a checkbox question; it's a genuine concern for the wellbeing of our colleagues. We encourage our employees to ask this question sincerely, with the intention of listening and offering support.
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Creating the right environment: Meaningful conversations often require a private and comfortable space where individuals can freely express themselves. At Pickles, we provide our team members with access to confidential channels for discussing their mental health concerns, both in person and online. Additionally, we promote flexibility in work arrangements, ensuring that employees have the time and space they need to share their thoughts and feelings.
R U OK? day and STEPtember are more than just events at Pickles. And partnerships such as the one we have with HHTS are more than collaborations. These conversations, days, relationships and openings for learning are integral parts of our commitment to mental health and wellbeing. By fostering trust, authenticity, and a supportive environment, we empower our team members to have meaningful conversations not only on these special days but throughout the year. Remember, asking, "R U OK?" can make a world of difference.
13 Sep