Only four hospitality operators signed up to mental health awareness pledge
Only four hospitality operators have signed up to Time to Change's employer pledge to address the stigma around mental health: Pizza Hut, Greggs and contract caterers SSP and Compass Group.
Time to Change, a campaign affiliated to mental health charity Mind that addresses the stigma around mental health, was launched in 2007. More than 850 businesses in the UK have signed its employer pledge to commit to change how we think and act around mental health in the workplace.
"I'm disappointed and frustrated that there has been a lack of momentum from employers in the hospitality industry in taking up the Time to Change employers pledge, but I'm not surprised," said Sarah Restall, an employer engagement manager at Time to Change.
"I do believe a lot of the industry's larger organisations will have their own internal operations and support for their staff, it's just all inwardly facing. And many small, independent businesses might not have the capacity or might only have one staff member responsible for rolling out wellbeing policies and practices in addition to other roles. Businesses that don't necessarily feel they can support people once they've encouraged them to open up might not want to start those conversations in the first place."
She added: "But it's an aspirational pledge. All we're asking is for businesses to normalise the conversation so people don't have to get to crisis point before they seek help."
Greggs boss signs pledge to raise awareness about mental health >>