The Time to Change Employer Pledge signals your commitment to changing how your organisation thinks and acts about mental health and makes sure that employees who are facing these problems feel supported. It is based upon a 12-month Employer Action Plan which is founded on the principles of the 2017 Thriving at Work Report and built upon 5 years of evidence-based interventions researched by the Time to Change Employers Team.

By signing the Pledge you will join a growing movement of more than 1,200 employers in England across all sectors from leading retailers to Government departments and local authorities.

This will involve developing an action plan to get your employees talking about mental health. You could include small actions such as running events for World Mental Health Day, to larger ones such as training line managers so they feel comfortable having conversations about mental health with their line reports.

Once your action plan action has been finalised, we will send you a pledge board that a senior leader can sign in front of your employees to mark your commitment.

Signing the Time to Change Employer Pledge is free and Time to Change will offer dedicated support throughout the process as well as a year of support after you sign.

Why do it?

Because poor mental health can have a significant cost to your business:

  • Mental ill-health is the leading cause of sickness absence in the UK, costing an average of £1,035 per employee per year.
  • 300,000 people leave their place of work each year due to poor mental health.
  • Organisations who take the Pledge and put their Action Plan in place have found that employees report feeling more supported about issues concerning mental health.
  • 80% of organisations that signed the pledge agreed that it had helped to raise awareness of mental health amongst staff
  • And 50% reported a rise in staff disclosure of mental health problems, which helps to intervene early and prevent long term sickness

How to do it?

Step 1: Register your interest: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/get-involved/get-your-workplace-involved/employer-pledge

Step 2: Check out the Action Plan template, guidance and resources to help you fill out your action plan: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/get-involved/get-your-workplace-involved/employer-pledge/develop-your-action-plan

Step 3: Submit your draft action plan here: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/get-involved/get-your-workplace-involved/employer-pledge/submit-action-plan

Step 4: Time to Change will work with you to further develop your plan based on best practice interventions in your sector.

Step 5: Once your draft has been finalised and approved, we'll send you a Pledge Board to mark your commitment. You should allow up to 8 weeks from the date of your submission until your planned Pledge Signing to allow for this consultative process and delivery of your pledge board.

 

Please get in touch with persephone@healthwatchkingston if you have any question regarding the Employer Pledge.