We are pleased to announce that The Poppy Factory has signed up to the ‘Mindful Employer’ Charter for employers who are positive about mental health.
Only around a quarter of people in the UK receive proper support for mental health problems, leaving the majority of people to grapple with conditions like anxiety, depression and PTSD on their own. By confronting stigma and raising awareness of the facts surrounding mental health, we can ensure people have the confidence to ask for help and get the support they need.
The Poppy Factory employs 36 veterans and dependents with disabilities, making Remembrance products for The Royal British Legion and the Royal Family. We expanded in 2010 to support veterans with disabilities into work across England and Wales, and have so far helped over 800 wounded, injured or sick veterans into meaningful employment.
Signing upto the ‘Mindful Employer’ Charter shows that as an employer we aim to:
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Show a positive and enabling attitude to employees and job applicants with mental health issues. This will include positive statements in local recruitment literature.
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Ensure that all staff involved in recruitment and selection are briefed on mental health issues and The Equality Act 2010, and given appropriate interview skills.
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Make it clear in any recruitment or occupational health check that people who have experienced mental health issues will not be discriminated against and that disclosure of a mental health problem will enable both employee and employer to assess and provide the right level of support or adjustment.
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Not make assumptions that a person with a mental health problem will be more vulnerable to workplace stress or take more time off than any other employee or job applicant.
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Provide non-judgemental and proactive support to individual staff who experience mental health issues.
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Ensure all line managers have information and training about managing mental health in the workplace.