Unison Disabled Staff Group 25 th April 2012 Improving Employee Mental Health at TfL

1. Unison Disabled Staff Group 25th April 2012 Improving Employee Mental Health at TfL

2. Mental Health

3. Foresight Report 2008:Mental Capital and Wellbeing

4. Assessing the work environment • Reviewed workplace risk assessment process for psychological risks in 2005 with safety colleagues responsible for the process. • This led to improved use of psychological expertise in workplace risk assessment • Ongoing collaboration with safety/human factors colleagues

5. Diagnosis and remediation of underlying issues • Ongoing annual data analysis informs the planning process – sickness absence/employee survey • Work to identify issues and provide support at hotspots • In depth research at two sites to identify factors and enable specific and focussed planning

6. Improving Management competence: Interventions at Team Level • Stress ‘hotspots’ - those areas in particular difficulty • Send in a specialist - we use an occupational therapist with expertise in mental health issues • Spend time with manager(s) and employees separately to identify problems • Then facilitate the team working together to identify improvements and implement them

7. Interventions at Team Level • Engage senior managers as the first step • Workshops/Training for managers on identifying, responding to and supporting employees with mental health problems • One to one coaching for managers re individual cases – action planning • Workshops for staff on building resilience • Other measures as identified through the process

8. Programme summary • Mental health plan developed and delivered each year • At the individual level • Stress reduction groups/one to one counselling • Communications • At the team level • Advice and support on individual cases • Stress ‘hotspot’ work • People management training • Communications

9. Programme summary continued • At the organisational level • Steering group • Analysis of absence figures and company employee survey • Development of training materials in mental health & resilience and use in routine training • Workplace risk assessment • Supportive policies – harassment and bullying, flexible working etc • Communications – plan and strategy

10. Training Materials You can’t stop the waves but you can learn to surf! Manager Guide (July 2004) • Common Causes • How to help employees with stress • RTW advice • Relaxation CD I

11. Training Materials • Going with the Flow: Remaining Resilient Through Change and Challenge • Employee booklet and e-learning course 2011 • Booklet • E-Learning • Workshops • Health Fairs

12. Raising the profile of mental wellbeing at work: • Mental health communications plan • Steering group • Mental health report - presented at board level • Work with Trade Union H&S reps • Collaboration with MIND ‘Time to Change’ Programme • Work with Equality and Inclusion, and the Staff Network Groups on awareness issues

13. Raising the profile • Mental health communications plan • Steering group • Mental health report - presented at board level • Work with Trade Union H&S reps • Collaboration with MIND ‘Time to Change’ Programme

14. Thank You!