Prioritizing and investing in employee mental health and well-being
It’s no surprise that mental health has taken on increased importance over the last few years. Stresses related to the pandemic such as job loss, health risks, caregiving responsibilities, and adjustments to remote or hybrid work life, have made it harder for workers everywhere to stay mentally healthy.
Over the last year, we made strides in prioritizing workplace health and well-being by introducing the following new initiatives:
1. Increased Benefits for Psychological Services
In June 2022, we increased our psychological services benefits from $1,500 to $3,000 per employee with expenses being reimbursed at 100% vs. the previous rate of 85%—providing the additional support employees* may need as they continue to navigate life post-pandemic, and help them be their happiest and healthiest selves.
2. A One-stop Shop Portal for Well-being
Minto employees also have access to a one-stop-shop for well-being via the company Intranet where they can find health, dental, and vision benefits coverage resources, as well as access to Lifespeak and LifeWorks, the Employee and Family Assistance Programs (EFAP), Telemedicine, tips for financial health and social well-being, and health and fitness articles.
3. Access to Wellness-Related Training
We recently introduced new wellness-related training offerings for employees including content on building personal resilience and workplace inclusion, as well as management training on mental health leader training programs.
4. Building Social Connections
We believe fostering social connections through community events and gatherings are a big driver of employee engagement and contribute significantly to employee well-being. At Minto, we invest in team events, office and off-site activities, and find ways for employees to give back through our annual Seasons of Giving and other charitable events.
5. Mental Health Leadership Certificate
People Managers had the opportunity to enroll in Mental Health Leadership certificate training offered by Lifeworks/ Queen’s University to learn techniques on:
- How to set clear limits for work, family, and self-care.
- The importance of maintaining their mental health and promoting a healthy workplace.
- Coaching for early intervention.
- How to have supportive conversations with employees returning to work.
*non-unionized employees
