The trucking industry rarely talks about mental health issues. But logistics provider PML is one company that is taking steps to address mental wellbeing within this male-dominated sector.
Some statistics to set the stage: One in four people will experience a mental health problem in any given year, according to Mental Health First Aid.
According to the Mental Health.org charity, men’s mental health is a major issue, with around 1 in 8 experiencing a common mental health problem, such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder, and men aged 40-49 have the highest suicide rates in the UK and the least likely access to psychological therapies than women: only 36% of NHS talk therapy referrals are for men.
However, in a survey conducted by Priory, although 77% of the men surveyed said they had suffered from mental health problems, 40% of the men have never talked to anyone about their mental health.
And since these are just the reported stats, this is likely the tip of the iceberg.
In a male-dominated industry like logistics, which has historically attracted more men than women, almost 1.5 million people work in transport and logistics in the UK, but fewer than a quarter of them are women according to the UK Employment and Employment Commission. Skills. Mental health is likely to remain a taboo subject. But with the Priory survey citing work as the biggest cause of mental health, isn’t it time the industry took action?
pressurized work environment
If there was ever a time when employees in our industry, both men and women, were under greater pressure and therefore vulnerable to compromising their mental health, it is now.
Although recognized as key workers during the pandemic, businesses involved in the transfer of essential goods, including food and drink, frequently went unrecognized during the various closures, although staff continued to work around the clock to maintain supplies, frequently putting on at risk to themselves and their families. .
This was in stark contrast to the many people who were suspended, some of whom enjoyed a very relaxing summer in the sun! Adding to this, the growing issues associated with Brexit, and the clear impact on the efficient movement of food and drink in particular, has created an intensely pressured work environment for employees, hampered by constantly changing government guidelines and subsequent confusion. and ultimately, lengthy delays both in the air and at seaports.
Add to this the intense stress caused by such delays to the HGV driver community, especially those delivering perishables where shelf life reduction is not an option, at a time when drivers were in short supply, and it is fair to say that staff are working in a highly charged environment. Especially when due to covid/travel issues most have not been able to fully unplug and get away to recharge their batteries.
address mental health
Work as the leading cause of mental health is time for the industry to take action, says PML. Ten PML staff recently volunteered to attend a course run by Mental Health First Aid, England.
The course enabled delegates to access mental health first aid guidance and was designed to equip line managers with a step-by-step framework to help create a healthier workplace. It included a focus on key areas, such as learning how to spot an employee experiencing mental health issues; how to manage and support them at work, while on sick leave and when they return to work, while also providing advice on how to prevent early symptoms of mental health problems from developing into serious illness.
Human resources manager Imrana Giannotto said: “The course has proven to be really beneficial in providing solid practical advice to help us spot the telltale signs that an employee’s mental health is being assessed and, more importantly, implement practices and procedures to avoid a problem. situation that results in a colleague suffering from a genuine mental health condition. Noticing little things like withdrawal from regular conversation, lack of cooperation, presenteeism, frequent complaints of being tired all the time, all of these can indicate that a person is not coping and needs support.
“One of the company’s strengths has always been its genuine commitment to staff wellness and we believe our industry needs to be more open about the need to talk about mental wellness. The training has opened our eyes to the importance of this and we are now looking to train more staff to ensure mental first aid is as important as physical first aid within our business.”
Being open to talking about mental health is a big step forward and is especially relevant for workers who work alone, such as HGV drivers who may spend long hours without the company and support of co-workers. PML has already committed significant investment to improve the physical well-being of HGV drivers at its state-of-the-art transport and logistics hub in Kent, including a driver wellness unit offering 24-hour on-site security. , 7 days a week and secure parking so drivers can get a good night’s sleep without fear of theft or attempted stowaway by immigrants; clean bathrooms and showers; access to on-site catering for hot meals and snacks and vending machines offering essential toiletries. However, recognizing the need to control signs of emotional distress is now an equal priority.
Valuing the workforce
Feeling valued is an integral thread to a positive state of mind. Small company actions, which don’t have to be expensive, can make a big difference. The recent Platinum Jubilee was an opportunity for PML to celebrate with staff, who were offered afternoon tea in a box as a gesture of thanks for their continued support.
Similarly, buying ice cream for the team on a hot day and creating a dedicated women’s golf team to provide a regular space to “break” from the stress of work are all examples of meaningful, but not high-budget, gestures that they go a long way.
Creating a dedicated space for employees to relax rather than eat a sandwich at their desk is another welcome initiative that has been put to good use at PML’s Heathrow headquarters. Listening to and acting on staff suggestions also paid off, from installing a hot water dispenser in the packinghouse to raising funds for a charity that is important to a particular employee.
Best Practices Make Business Sense
Protecting staff from mental illness makes both moral and commercial sense. Staff retention is an excellent marker for a happy workforce, and companies that are unaware of the growing awareness of mental and physical well-being will be negatively affected.
Loss of staff is costly, takes time and extensive training to replace valued employees, and can create a climate of malaise within the team. Similarly, frequent and prolonged absenteeism is also costly and disruptive.
“We should all do more to create a pleasant and stimulating environment that promotes a sense of well-being. Similarly, as employers, we also have a responsibility to be available to staff to discuss any issues that may relate to the outside of their jobs. Being able to show genuine concern for someone shouldn’t just extend to when they’re in the workplace,” says Giannotto.
As the Time To Change social movement first decreed in 2007, it’s time to change the way people think and act about mental health issues. Let’s make sure that extends to the logistics sector.
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• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England is a social enterprise with a vision to improve the nation’s mental health. It is the largest provider of Mental Health First Aid training in the UK and Europe, with over ten years’ experience supporting companies to create and maintain healthier workplaces.
• Poor mental health costs UK employers up to £56 billion each year. But for every £1 spent by employers on mental health interventions, they get £5.30 in reduced absences, presenteeism and staff turnover (Deloitte, 2022).
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