Insurance Industry - National Benchmarking against the Thriving at Work standards for mental health provision

Insurance Industry - National Thriving at work benchmarking Survey

Welcome to the National Insurance Industry - National Thriving at work bench marking survey.

Support for employees suffering from poor mental health is now an essential requirement for business. The aim of this survey being led by national insurance industry is to benchmark the present mental health provision across the industry.

The question set is based upon the standards set out by the 'Thriving at Work' report which was an outcome of the Prime Ministers review into mental health within business and is not only designed to understand but also to direct organisations to the relevant guidance to improve mental health provision in the workplace. Individual results will remain confidential and not be shared.

Please be honest when completing this survey as it is important we have a true picture of the collective position of the Insurance Industry.

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* 1. Core Standard 1: Does your organisation produce, implement and communicate a mental health at work plan?

Yes - this will include a strategy document or pledge, how senior leaders will get involved, how you will raise awareness to everyone working across the company, how you will involve staff in dialogue and decision making to create a culture of openness and trust, how you will promote a healthy work / life balance, how you will provide opportunities for learning and development and how you will offer positive working environments and social connections.

No - for guidance please refer to page 6 of the How to Implement the Thriving at Work Mental Health Standards

If Yes please provide a summary of how your organisation is meeting the standards, please specify the name of organisation:

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* 2. Core Standard 2: Has your organisation started to develop mental health awareness among employees? (Note - please name your organisation in the answer to this question)

Yes - this will include embedding mental health in your induction and training, ensuring your employees are given information on how best to manage mental health and what support is available. Consideration should be given to raising the profile of mental health through innovative ways; using a speaker on mental health or having a senior leader talk about their experience helps to break down the stigma. You will use many channels of communication to raise awareness including discussion groups, social media, blogs, and factsheets for managers and useful external resources.

No - for guidance please refer to page 16 of the How to Implement the Thriving at Work Mental Health Standards

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* 3. Core Standard 3: Does your organisation encourage open conversations about mental health and the support available when employees are struggling?

Yes - disclosure and open conversations around mental health need to be encouraged at all stages of the employee journey starting with recruitment. You will communicate your commitment to equal opportunities during the recruitment process and ensure candidates are not discriminated against at any stage. During induction employees will be made aware of the mental health support available to them. If disclosure is made managers should be equipped to have effective conversations and offer/seek support. You will have an absence management policy with emphasis on supporting employees with mental health problems with adjustments if required.

No - for guidance please refer to page 20 of the How to Implement the Thriving at Work Mental Health Standards

If Yes, please provide a summary of the steps your company has taken to meet the standard:

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* 4. Core Standard 4: Does your organisation provide your employees with good working conditions and ensure they have a healthy work life balance and opportunities for development?

Yes - you will encourage and facilitate a culture where people have some control over their work, build social networks, have a healthy work/life balance and readily have opportunities to develop. Managers will be supported and trained in how to support employee health and wellbeing at work. Flexible working, avoiding long hours, encouraging lunch breaks away from the desk and taking regular annual leave are all things that should be encourage by managers.

No - for guidance please refer to page 26 of the How to Implement the Thriving at Work Mental Health Standards

If Yes, please provide a summary of the steps your company has taken to meet the standard:

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* 5. Core Standard 5: Does your organisation promote effective people management through line managers and supervisors?

Yes - your line managers will be competent in managing common health problems within their team; they will have active conversations and know where to refer for additional support. You will train managers to take simple steps to support their staff; encouraging open conversations about mental health through team meetings and regular catch-ups. Managers will be supported in setting clear priorities, celebrating successes and involving staff in decision making.

No - for guidance please refer to page 32 of the How to Implement the Thriving at Work Mental Health Standards

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* 6. Core Standard 6: Does your organisation routinely monitor employee mental health and wellbeing?

Yes - developing a clear picture of the mental health of your organisation helps you understand what affects staff’s mental wellbeing and how well you’re supporting them. Your organisation will undertake staff surveys and audits to ask about employee perception of health, wellbeing and mental health.

No - for guidance please refer to page 36 of the How to Implement the Thriving at Work Mental Health Standards

If Yes, please provide a summary of the steps your company has taken to meet the standard:

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* 7. Enhanced Standard 1: Does your organisation report on health and wellbeing; specifically impact and outcomes?

Yes - you will understand the impact of mental health on your organisation by using various forms of data including sickness absence records, Occupational Health referral data, staff surveys, appraisals, mental health indexes. You will monitor this on a monthly and annual basis in order to review the impact of your mental health plan and the associated costs to the business. You will participate in an annual survey or report, e.g. Mind Workplace Wellbeing Index.

No - for guidance please refer to page 42 of the How to Implement the Thriving at Work Mental Health Standards

If Yes, please provide a summary of the steps your company has taken to meet the standard:

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* 8. Enhanced Standard 2: Does your organisation have a health and wellbeing lead at Board or Senior Leadership level, with clear reporting duties and responsibilities?

Yes - a member of the senior leadership in Human Resources or Health & Safety team will be accountable for leading on your mental health plan for the business. Senior leaders should all be accountable for adopting the mental health core and enhanced standards in their teams and be measured on sickness absence, occupational health referrals and take-up of Employee Assistance Programmes.

No - for guidance please refer to page 44 of the How to Implement the Thriving at Work Mental Health Standards

If Yes, please provide a summary of the steps your company has taken to meet the standard:

Question Title

* 9. Enhanced Standard 3: Does your organisation encourage openness around health during recruitment, emphasising why information is required and having support in place to facilitate a good response following disclosure?

Yes - core standard three emphasises that it is important to be open about mental health. In order to build employee confidence around how information they share will be used when talking about their mental health, policies must be clear and fair to avoid discouraging them from sharing sensitive issues. You should explain why people are being asked to share information about mental health problems and what will happen with that information. There should be a clear process for employees being able to request any personal and medical information the organisation holds on them.

No - for guidance please refer to page 46 of the How to Implement the Thriving at Work Mental Health Standards

If Yes, please provide a summary of the steps your company has taken to meet the standard:

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* 10. Enhanced Standard 4: Does your organisation provide tailored in-house mental health support and signposting to clinical help including Mental Health First Aiders, Occupational Health and Employee Assistance Programmes?

Yes - your organisation mental health at work plan (from core standard one) will detail internal and external support that is available for those with mental health concerns. The types of support available could include access to counselling through Access to Work, Occupational Health, Employee Assistance Programmes and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as well as other tailored mental health and wellbeing support. Larger employers will extend support to smaller organisations in their supply chain to help them improve the mental health of their employees. Managers and Mental Health First Aiders will have suitable resources to sign post those with mental health concerns to the relevant support services.

No - for guidance please refer to page 50 of the How to Implement the Thriving at Work Mental Health Standards

If Yes, please provide a summary of the steps your company has taken to meet the standard: