Fourth Floor: A Case Study on Stress Awareness and Mental Health Support

Supporting Mental Health and Managing Stress

At Fourth Floor, mental health and stress management are not checkbox exercises but integral parts of an ongoing conversation. The company has cultivated a culture where mental health is openly discussed. This approach includes various initiatives such as:

Suicide Prevention Talks: Collaborating with organisations like Bristol Suicide Prevention to provide critical awareness and support.
Private Medical Insurance: Offering comprehensive private medical insurance to employees, ensuring they receive the best possible mental health support.
Awareness Weeks and Webinars: Actively marking mental health awareness weeks and organising webinars to promote mental well-being.
Mental Health First Aiders: Training six mental health first aiders within the company to provide immediate support and foster a supportive environment.
Neurodiversity Awareness: Hosting events during Neurodiversity Awareness Week to celebrate differences and promote inclusivity.
My Whole Self Day: Encouraging employees to bring their authentic selves to work, enhancing their sense of belonging and value.

Work-Related Stress Policies

Fourth Floor also prioritises employee wellbeing with comprehensive work-related stress policies. These policies are designed to create a flexible, supportive, and balanced work environment. Key aspects include:

Flexible Working: Promoting flexible working hours to allow employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance and maximise their productivity.
Mandatory Holidays: Encouraging employees to take their holidays to recharge and avoid burnout.
Emergency Leave: Providing policies for emergency leave so that employees do not feel compelled to save holidays for unforeseen circumstances.
Workplace Stress Assessment: Conducting thorough workplace stress assessments to evaluate factors such as turnover and employee sickness, identifying potential stress hazards like extreme demands, unclear roles, poor relationships, and lack of support.
Individual Stress Assessments: Offering individual stress assessments to help employees identify specific stressors and address their root causes.

Impact on Employees and Organisation

The emphasis on support at Fourth Floor has significantly impacted both employees and the company. With an open environment for discussing mental health and stress, employees are more likely to be productive and less likely to take sick leave due to stress. For instance, from April 2023 to March 2024, the sickness rate was 0.9%, a decrease from 1.45% the previous year.

The company’s flexible working arrangements, updated parenthood policies, and autonomy over volunteering are designed to foster a sense of belonging and job satisfaction among employees. Fourth Floor’s commitment to employee well-being is not only a testament to their dedication to mental health but also a strategic approach to building a resilient and motivated workforce.

Fourth Floor exemplifies how a company can effectively support mental health and manage work-related stress through a combination of proactive policies, open conversations, and a supportive culture. Their commitment to the Good Employment Charter signifies this. Their holistic approach is designed to create a sustainable culture where employees feel valued and empowered which will ultimately lead to a healthier and more productive workplace.

To find out more about becoming a Supporter of the Good Employment Charter, get in touch with the team.