Agency launches ‘Wellness Wednesdays’ to help staff mental health

A major agency and property consultancy has initiated ‘Wellness Wednesdays’ amongst a programme of activities to prioritise staff mental health during the pandemic.

Fisher German, which has 26 offices across the UK, is using the Wednesday events to offer its 600 employees the opportunity to focus on different aspects of their own personal and professional wellbeing each week.

This includes webinars and interactive workshops from experts covering topics including stress, financial wellbeing, coping with change and practical ways to look after wellbeing at home, as well as Q&A sessions with a registered dietician.

Health and fitness have also been prioritised, with a monthly online yoga class and team walking challenges to encourage people to take a break away from their desks.

Colleagues have also been invited to sign up to a four-week programme looking at personal and professional resilience, with one in 10 members of staff across the business taking part either live or by watching the recorded sessions at a time to suit them.

Fisher German is now preparing to mark Time To Talk day - this Thursday, February 4 - which encourages people to talk about mental health and is a key date for the firm after it pledged to become a Time To Change employer, tackling the stigma around mental health in the workplace and providing support to employees.

The firm will be encouraging colleagues to chat to each other online about anything from projects they are working on in the business to hobbies and how they are coping during the third lockdown.

Maria Hawley, human resources director at Fisher German, says: “Promoting positive mental health and wellbeing has always been a key priority at Fisher German, but it’s clear that the third lockdown is taking its toll on people, so we want to do everything we can to support our colleagues, tackle burnout and bring variety to their workdays.

“While we’ve held support sessions throughout the pandemic, our Wellness Wednesday initiative demonstrates a commitment from our business leaders to put colleague wellbeing first, and give individuals the space and time each week to prioritise their needs. 

“This could be through one of our online webinars or workshops or taking part in a team challenge which encourages everyone to get active.”

Fisher German, which has its head office in the East Midlands, has had its pioneering approach praised by the Mental Health and Productivity Pilot, an initiative funded by Midlands Engine which aims to help employers in the region to support the mental health of their workforce.