FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
Construction firm, Skanska, has partnered with Maximus to provide mental health support for its UK employees and help improve wellbeing in the wider construction sector.
Skanska, which employs more than 3,300 local experts in the UK, delivers projects across sectors including real estate, defence, education, and highways, and has been committed to raising awareness of mental health amongst its employees since 2016.
To expand its mental health provision, Skanska UK is partnering with Maximus, who currently support employers across the country through the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service.
The service provides a package of cost-free mental health workplace support to employers, including wellness recovery action plans and expert guidance on workplace adjustments.
As part of the service, Maximus will work with Skanska to deliver webinars, training and workshops across its UK sites, covering topics including prevention of burnout, suicide awareness, PTSD awareness, and links between physical and mental health.
Kaylena Mushen, Partnerships Lead for the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service at Maximus, said: “Research shows that people working in the construction industry can be disproportionately affected by mental health problems, with stress, depression, or anxiety accounting for 27 per cent of all work-related illness in this predominantly male sector.
“Our partnership with Skanska ensures that their UK employees gain access to confidential, work-centred support. We hope that the partnership will help to underline the importance of mental wellbeing within the construction sector.”
Megan Taylor, Head of Occupational Health and Wellbeing at Skanska UK, said: “Employees can feel overwhelmed when coping with poor mental health, and we feel that more can be done to support them. Through our partnership with Maximus, Skanska will lead the way in provision of workforce mental health support within the construction sector. Good work is good for health, and the support offered by Maximus can only benefit those that need it.”
Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, added: “With ambassadors for men’s health increasingly focused on the importance of mental health, this Men’s Health Awareness Week provides a great opportunity to reflect on how employers can support the mental health and wellbeing of their employees.
“We know how important it is that men are encouraged to share their feelings, and employers, particularly in male-dominated industries like construction, are in a good position to help with this.
“The Access to Work Mental Health Support Service is an excellent resource, and I am thrilled that the partnership between Maximus and Skanska will extend its reach and allow people to access greater information and support to boost their mental wellbeing and that of others.”
Are you confident that your contractors and suppliers meet ethical labour standards and human rights obligations?
For many FM services, managing multiple third parties in the supply chain can be a complex challenge. And, in a sector that relies heavily on migrant workers and 65 per cent of FM services facing difficulties in sourcing workers (Q4 2022 RICS survey), exposure to exploitation and modern slavery is a very real risk. With the UK one of the biggest destinations in Europe for trafficking of workers, you need full visibility of the people you work with, so you can minimise your risks and identify which part of your supply chain is most vulnerable.
FMJ, in partnership with Alcumus, is pleased to bring together a panel of experts to discuss how to create an ethical supply chain in FM.
Taking place at 11am on Wednesday 21st of June, the webinar will discuss:
- The regulations to be aware of that are aimed at preventing human right abuses.
- How to gain greater visibility of modern slavery compliance in the supply chain by having a robust verification process in place.
- Steps to creating a compliant, ethical supply chain.
To register for the webinar click here.
