What R U OK? Day & STEPtember means for Pickles
September is a significant month for mental health. The 11th September marks R U OK? Day. A day where we focus on the importance of starting meaningful conversations and checking in with friends, family, and colleagues to see if they are ok. Additionally, the STEPtember challenge begins on the 1st September and runs all month. This initiative focuses on raising funds for babies, children and adults with cerebral palsy.
Changing the stigma around mental health
At Pickles, mental health and caring for each other's wellbeing is paramount. Checking on people's mental health is incredibly important because it helps create a supportive environment where individuals feel valued and understood. Mental health challenges can often go unnoticed or be hidden due to stigma, fear, or misunderstanding, which can lead to feelings of isolation and worsening symptoms. By regularly checking in with others, we help reduce stigma and make it easier for people to seek help when needed. Early intervention through simple acts of checking in can prevent more serious mental health issues and improve overall quality of life. It also fosters stronger relationships and builds trust, whether at work, at home, or in the community. Ultimately, prioritising mental health check-ins supports a healthier, more connected environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive both personally and professionally.
What we do at Pickles to make a difference during STEPtember, on R U OK Day and everyday:
Pickles is Australia's leading asset remarketer with 28 branches across Australia and a growing presence in Asia, with 900+ employees working across a diverse range of industries. Our core values of teamwork, innovation, integrity, and safety are at the heart of everything we do and are actively promoted throughout the business.
Our culture is firmly values-driven, prioritising the development of strong relationships both within the company and with external stakeholders. We know people and relationships are central to how we approach every facet of business. This commitment to building strong connections helps create a supportive and collaborative environment, encouraging teamwork and mutual respect that empowers our staff members to perform at their very best.
We have partnered with R U OK for HHTS for years because we believe mental health is a critical issue that requires ongoing attention and support. We have worked closely with Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds Foundation (HHTS) to improve mental health and wellbeing specifically within the road transport, warehousing, and logistics sectors in Australia. HHTS serves as an umbrella organisation within the industry, promoting awareness, providing resources, and fostering conversations that can help prevent mental health challenges and suicide. Through working with R U OK and HHTS, we contribute to raising awareness for mental health checks, actively support initiatives that encourage early intervention and help create a healthier, more supportive work environment for our industry.
At Pickles, we make it our mission to empower our people both personally and professionally by providing a wide range of opportunities for skills development, competitive benefits, and clear career pathways. Our workplace culture is designed to be inclusive and diverse, ensuring that every individual feels valued and supported. Collaboration and inclusivity are at the core of everything we do, while also offering flexible and agile work practices that focus on supporting our employees' overall wellbeing. This is why we offer leave of absence options for travel, study, or personal reasons. Additionally, after a qualifying period, employees become eligible for extra leave, further enhancing the flexibility to pursue interests or manage life's demands outside of work.
We are also deeply committed to enhancing the health and wellbeing of our people through various programs designed to support both employees and their immediate families. One example is our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides confidential support for a range of personal or work-related issues. Our focus on safety and wellbeing is also reflected in our industry-leading accreditation, as we are the only auction house in Australia certified with the highest occupational health and safety rating AS/NZS 4801:2001. These programs and certifications ensure that our workplace remains safe, supportive, and focused on the welfare of every employee.
How you can get involved:
- Ask R U OK? You don't have to be an expert to start a conversation with a family member, friend or workmate.
- Listen with an open mind: Keep an open mind when people are sharing, let the person know you're there for them and they're in a safe space to share.
- Encourage action: Suggest they get the appropriate support if it sounds to you like they need help.
- Follow up: Check in again with them later to show you care.
- Wear yellow: Yellow is the symbol for R U OK? Day, which represents optimism, joy, and friendship.
R U OK Day and STEPtember are more than just events at Pickles. Whether we are shifting the stigma around mental health or encouraging the overall wellbeing of our staff and community, these are opportunities to come together. By creating space for a meaningful check in, we are building a strong future for our industry and the people who make it so incredible.
11 Sep