Legal & General has announced the shortlist for its inaugural Not A Red Card Awards celebrating businesses which have developed and implemented best practices around addressing mental health in the workplace.
The shortlist includes nominations for a number of large, well-known businesses that have created initiatives to help raise awareness of mental health in the workplace. The companies include Ford Motor Company Limited and Yorkshire Building Society, as well as nominations for small and medium sized businesses (SME) and individual awards for those who have had a significant impact on the discussion around mental health issues in the workplace
The full shortlist can be found here: https://www.legalandgeneral.com/notaredcard/awards?cid=PR18122
The inaugural awards will take place at the second Not A Red Card Forum on 30 October 2018, where sporting personalities, business leaders and mental health experts will come together to discuss the importance of mental health awareness in the workplace.
The day will consist of presentations, panel debates and round table discussions with TV sports presenter Gabby Logan acting as MC throughout. Attendees will be able to hear from a range of speakers about the importance of having open discussions around mental health, as well as practical guidance and resources which can be used to take action around these issues.
The list of speakers include:
- Clarke Carlisle – Former footballer and mental health campaigner
- Paulette Cohen – Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Barclays
- Poppy Jaman – CEO, City Mental Health Alliance
- Rob Stephenson – Founder, Inside-Out.org
Research from last year’s mental health forum found that 48% of attendees didn’t feel their employees would confide in a colleague if they were struggling with their own mental well-being. However, 85% said that they had seen improvements over the past five years with regards to discussing mental health in the workplace.
Nigel Wilson, CEO, Legal & General, said: “I am encouraged to see that mental health in the workplace is now a serious and widely discussed topic, with many more businesses understanding the need to take action in addressing the challenges which still exist around this issue. We’re delighted to be able to recognise some of these organisations and individuals who have taken huge strides in driving change around mental health through our awards. Each of the nominees have demonstrated a commitment to helping lead the discussion and eliminate the stigma often associated with mental wellbeing in the workplace.
“More still needs to be done to ensure employees have access to the support they need. Absence due to mental ill health continues to be a problem for employers. Through our forum we are aiming to encourage more business leaders to implement and improve their own mental health and wellbeing strategies. All of us need to develop an ethos of openness, with the ultimate aim of improving support networks for people suffering from mental health issues.“