SJL Insurance ensuring staff mental health wellbeing during lockdown

SJL Insurance has offered all of its staff free mental health treatments every month from their homes. The treatments are with a mental health nurse who will consult with staff whilst they work from home.

Founder and chief executive of SJL Insurance, Simon Lancaster said: “Three weeks ago we arranged for nearly all 70 staff to work from home in response to the coronavirus lockdown. I decided to keep the mental health service that we started offering last June, as opposed to cutting costs and abandoning it for now, because I think now more than ever it is needed given the massive environmental and lifestyle change during the coronavirus lockdown.

“Fortunately, because people can now do video calls and mobile phone calls, staff are still able to have an almost identical service with a mental health nurse from their new home office.”

Staff have been invited to see mental health nurse Carie Workman and discuss any issues that they may have, Carie Workman, mental health nurse said the company was the only employer that she was aware of that have adopted this free mental health initiative during lockdown: ““It is a big change for many people, working from home, feeling isolated, missing staff morale and support from colleagues. This can have a negative impact on mental health and well-being.

“In providing professional support during this period it has helped staff to discuss their concerns, have coping skills and strategies put in place as well as feel listened to.