Countdown bolsters its support of teams' mental wellness
Monday 8 October 2018: Countdown is one of the largest
employers in the country and is very serious about providing
a supportive and safe workplace for its 18,400 strong team.
With so many Kiwis affected with mental health, Countdown
has introduced mental health training and opened a 24 hour
phone-line to ensure they are offering their team the
support they need.
A 100 Countdown team members will
have undertaken extensive training by the end of this month
across its stores, logistics, support office and senior
management to assist them in understanding the signs of
mental illness and how to approach and talk to team members
who may be impacted.
The company has also appointed
eight trainers across New Zealand who will run workshops
from the New Year in its stores and distribution centres to
help team identify the signs and impacts of mental illness
and how they can offer support.
Countdown now has a
dedicated confidential 0800 number available 24/7
specifically to support team experiencing mental health, as
well as a confidential email for team who are impacted that
can reach out for support. The company also offers
unlimited, free counselling that is 100 per cent
confidential and independent.
Countdown General
Manager of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Kiri
Hannifin, says the company recognises the importance of this
issue and is determined to provide both practical support
for our team members and also raise awareness of the issue
across our business to start addressing the unacceptable
stigma attached to mental health.
“We want our team
to know they work for a business that cares. And we do.
Mental illness is a reality for so many Kiwis and the
experience for too many is one of loneliness, isolation and
fear. The message for our team is you aren't alone. We have
a range of external support options available as well as a
growing number of our own team who are especially trained in
providing guidance.
“There are some very alarming
mental health statistics in New Zealand that all of us
should be concerned about. We know it's not just up to the
health system to be provide support to those in need. As a
big business, we also have a responsibility to do what we
can to support mental wellness and provide a workplace that
our team feel valued, safe and cared for,” she says.
Countdown was the first company to introduce a
Transgender Transitioning Policy and one of the first to
implement the Family Violence Policy.
“Over the
past two years, we have implemented policies such as a
family violence and transgender transitioning policies to
support our team members in more comprehensive and holistic
way than businesses have tended to in the past. These
policies are now embedded and our focus is increasingly on
mental health,” say Kiri Hannifin.
Taimi Allen, CEO, Changing Minds says that Countdown’s work in the mental health space is simply good business.
“Employees
don't leave their lives at the door when they clock in, and
a business that not only supports the mental health of it's
staff, but values the resilience that overcoming challenges
brings makes economic sense.
“Having a supportive
workplace where people feel their employer has their best
interests at heart is a place people want to come to work
and ultimately saves money in productivity, attrition,
turnover, absenteeism and presenteeism, “ says Taimi
Allen.
ENDS