Monthly Archives: March 2022

News

eM Client announces general release of Version 9

eM Client, a fully-featured email client for Windows and macOS with a clean and easy-to-use interface, has announced a launch of version 9 of the software. eM Client is a best-in-class solution for anyone seeking a modern and feature-rich email assistant. What sets it apart from other applications is the focus on compatibility and security while giving users vast customisation options.

Various enhancements have been made for both enterprise and home users. With eM Client 9.0, macOS users will benefit from native support for Apple M1 processors, which will boost the responsiveness and efficiency of eM Client to a new level. The integration with both Gmail and Exchange/Office 365 is now even more insightful. Rules, Signatures and Tags (Labels on Gmail and Categories on Exchange) created in eM Client are now fully synchronised with the server.

eM Client 9.0 features a range of new functions including:

  • Email tracking detection – New, unique engine protects users’ privacy by detecting and blocking annoying tracking pixels that are nowadays embedded into many emails to detect email opening.
  • Undo Send – Take further control over your outgoing messages, this function lets you cancel any message that you might have sent accidentally
  • Thread View – Quick access to any message within a conversation is an alternative to conversation view seen in previous versions
  • Notes for emails – Superbly useful function, especially for corporate use. You can now add a note to any of your emails without changing its structure.
  • Modern message list – The message list now includes avatars and message preview for even more effective work with emails. There are a lot of other improvements such as quick RSVP for meeting invitations.
  • Additional online meeting providers – WebEx by Cisco, GoToMeeting, IceWarp and Meetn have been integrated as provider options for online meetings. Easily manage or plan online meetings or start one instantly from inside eM Client directly.
  • Tasks – A brand new design of the whole task view, inspired by the “Get Things Done” methodology.

“The list of new functions is endless, but even that does not show the work and dedication that has been put into this new release. eM Client has matured and even though most of the work is not visible at first glance, the subtle changes can be seen almost everywhere. People familiar with the software will feel right at home and yet there are a lot of new options to explore. We aim to provide quality software that will not only make your life easier but also increase your productivity.” said Michal Bürger, CEO of eM Client.

Price and availability

eM Client 9.0 is available now with a Pro license costing £44.95, with a significant drop of price per device in case of multi-licenses for companies. You can also opt for a Free version with limited functionality. eM Client also offers a 30-day trial to test the application for free. The full information about the new release can be accessed here.

About eM Client

Founded in 2006, eM Client’s goal is to develop a complex email program with a modern and simple interface that is also full of different features like calendar, contacts, notes and chat packed in one, easy to use application. The desktop version supports all major email providers and more than 1.5 million worldwide, with many notable customers such as McDonald’s, Avis or DPD, relying on eM Client to manage their email.

News, South West

Parnall Group Turns To Aqilla for Business Growth

Parnall Group is a family-run, multi-company enterprise based at the historic Trelonk farm and estate in Cornwall, UK. The group has chosen Aqilla cloud accounting software to replace Sage 50 as the expanding group’s needs changed, allowing the accounts team a better user experience when managing entries across multiple accounts.

Aqilla was implemented in early 2020 to replace Sage 50 as the expanding group’s needs changed, allowing the accounts team a better user experience when managing entries across multiple accounts on a daily basis. Standardised reporting for each entity has been set up using Sharperlight – a low maintenance and highly-flexible BI platform, fully-integrated with Aqilla – to streamline the management reporting process.

Finance manager Jonathon Powell explains, “As a group, Aqilla’s interface makes it dead easy for us to use. Once logged in, you can go from one company to another using a simple drop-down menu. With other packages, we would have had to keep logging in and out. Aqilla is a different-looking package to something like Sage, QuickBooks or even SAP, but once you get used to it, it is so easy to use. The more I use it, the more I like it.”

Jonathon and his team use Aqilla for all the usual transactional processes such as invoices, journals and bank transactions. When implementing Aqilla, Custom Attributes can be created as fields in documents such as sales and purchase orders. Multiple fields can be created to enable reporting on things like inventory, batches, serial numbers or indeed whole cost centres. For more complex reporting, a whole new database table can be configured in Aqilla for full Project Accounting, allowing users to include timesheets, expenses and purchases which relate to specific projects.

Summing up on his overall experience of working with Aqilla, Jonathon emphasizes two things, “One of the biggest benefits in working with Aqilla is the fact that you get a real person at the end of the line who can talk you through your problem. Secondly, it’s about how easy Aqilla is to use. Aqilla is a different-looking package to something like Sage, QuickBooks or even SAP but once you get used to it, it is so easy to use.”

News

Owly disappears from the Hootsuite logo to showcase the emptiness of a #WorldWithoutNature

Hootsuite teams up with WWF and global brands to raise awareness6 about dramatic nature loss

Hootsuite, the global leader in social media management, has joined forces with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), NGOs, sports teams, and some of the world’s top brands in removing animal and nature references from its branding for World Wildlife Day.

Hootsuite will remove its mascot, Owly, from all Hootsuite social channels globally for the day to highlight the catastrophic loss of biodiversity and the social and economic risks it poses. Over 100 brands and sports teams around the globe have agreed to take part in the initiative and support the activation, including: Timberland, Gorilla Glue, Dove, Gymshark, On The Beach, Airwick, Duolingo, Carlsberg and numerous football teams such as Wolves, Sunderland, Aston Villa, Hull City, West Brom and more.

“We are incredibly proud at Hootsuite to once again show our support for the #WorldWithoutNature campaign as part of World Wildlife Day,” said Iain Beable, Social Marketing Strategist, Hootsuite. “The continued threat to our planet has never been as obvious as it is now— small steps from us all can make a difference to ensure we create a healthier planet for generations to come.”

According to WWF’s Living Planet Report 2020, global populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish have declined by an average of 68% in recent decades. The report also reveals that if the world continues on with “business as usual”, rates of biodiversity loss seen since 1970 will steadily continue between now and 2050. These losses will likely result in a planet that will not be able to support current and future generations of people.

“The continued loss of biodiversity cannot be ignored. We know that it will have a catastrophic impact on our planet and it’s in our DNA at Hootsuite to step up and take action,” said Eva Taylor, CSR Director, Hootsuite.  “This year, we are including a donation matching campaign using our partner, Benevity, to offer our employees a way to double their impact on March 3rd.”

#WorldWithoutNature comes as governments from around the world gear up to negotiate the details of a new global agreement for nature at the COP15 global biodiversity summit due to be held in Kunming, China, later this year.

“Ahead of crucial negotiations taking place at COP15, which will set global goals on biodiversity for years to come, we’re calling on governments to agree on an ambitious nature-positive goal and a concrete set of targets to reverse nature loss and wildlife decline by the end of the decade,” said Marco Lambertini, Director General of WWF International. “It is time for a strong commitment followed by urgent action.”

WWF’s #WorldWithoutNature activation was originally the brainchild of One Minute Briefs, having first been created on World Wildlife Day in 2020.

The campaign also includes a branded hashtag on Twitter for #WorldWithoutNature.

For more information, please visit: https://explore.panda.org/wwn

 

Electric Vehicles, News

myenergi supports upcoming changes to EV charging regulations

myenergi, pioneer of the world’s first eco-smart EV charger, has thrown its full support behind the UK’s impending Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021. Set to come into force from 30 June, the new rules will play a pivotal role in future-proofing our national energy system.

Introduced in-line with the rapid uptake of alternatively-fuelled vehicles, the new regulations aim to establish standardisation. Alongside protecting the grid by reducing the impact of simultaneous EV charging, the regulations aim to ensure that EV chargers are interoperable, that customers don’t get locked into services from energy suppliers, that new standards of cybersecurity are adopted and that off-peak charging is delivered as standard to reduce ‘rush hour’ periods on the grid.

As a global leader in EV charging technology, myenergi believes that these changes are not only essential, but will work as a steppingstone to help create the energy system of tomorrow.

Dr Chris Horne, Chief Technical Officer (CTO) at myenergi, explains: “With motorists quickly switching from fossil fuels to electric, there is obviously a number of knock-on implications that need to be considered. Overall demand on the National Grid has been in decline since 2002 and, even if all internal combustion engine-powered vehicles switched to electric powertrains overnight, we’d only experience an increase in national energy demand of around 10%. Having said this, the transition to electrification has impacts for network inertia and balancing.

“The problem we could face in the future is that, if everyone decided to charge their EVs at the same time, the increase in demand would be too quick for the grid to handle. In result, the unnecessary pressure could result in power cuts.

“Fortunately, the transition to electrification hasn’t come out of the blue and this situation is no shock to the system. However, to protect energy supply for the future, we need to adopt new regulations to protect our national energy systems – it’s an essential step towards the smart energy grid of the future.”

Alongside provisions around cyber security of and management of customer data, the regulations introduce three new requirements:

  1. Default off-peak charging
  2. A random delay at the start of the charge
  3. Steps to promote customers to sign up to Demand Response Services

Dr Horne adds: “From July, all new charging points will be automatically set up to charge EVs at the best time for the electricity network. The peak demand happens in the mornings and afternoons so, by default, your EV will only charge overnight or during the middle of the day.

“What’s more, every new EV charger sold will be programmed to calculate a random delay of up to 10 minutes every time a charge starts. This might be unnerving the first few times it happens, but it will prevent EV chargers all over the UK from immediately turning on when the low price tariffs kick-in.

“Finally, provisions have been included to better enable access to Demand Side Response services; a complex system of variable procurements that operate as a stable, competitive marketplace. This will enable aggregators to dial up and down your charge to manage and maintain grid frequency. It won’t happen continuously – it’ll just kick in when the grid is under strain, much like ramping up a generator or connecting a battery during periods of high demand.”

As a pioneer of next-generation energy solutions, myenergi believes that the regulatory changes are essential to balancing the grid. Dr Horne concludes: “At myenergi, we’re committed to leading the charge when it comes to the future of energy. Our state-of-the-art range of eco-smart technologies have been designed to ensure that customers always receive the best possible experience when it comes to powering their homes and vehicles. Embracing new regulation is essential for the health of the national energy system and our products are future-proofed to make it easy for users to adapt.

“Change is important. While it may result in disruptions in the short-term, the long-term benefits are countless. Indeed, these new regulations will allow the UK to transition away from fossil fuels and move towards a cleaner, greener transport network of the future. We should seize this opportunity with both hands, not shy away from progress.”

For more information about myenergi, or the UK’s Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021, visit https://myenergi.com/guides/smart-charge-point-regulations/.

 

News

Top college to host ‘accessible’ open events across North Wales

COLEG CAMBRIA will be holding a series of open events in March.

The sessions will take place in person at the following sites over the coming weeks:

  • Deeside and Deeside Sixth Form Centre: Wednesday March 9 from 5.30pm to 8pm.
  • Llysfasi: Saturday March 12 from 10am to 12pm.
  • Yale, Yale Sixth and Bersham Road in Wrexham: Wednesday March 16 from 5.30pm to 8pm.
  • Northop: Saturday March 19 from 10am to 12pm.

The college will also host accessible open events for neurodiverse people wanting to study in a sensory-supportive setting.

Spaces are limited so those in attendance can explore and enjoy Cambria’s cutting-edge facilities in a warm, welcoming environment without large crowds.

And Head of Inclusion Lizzie Stevens will be on hand to answer any questions on what courses are available.

These will be held in Deeside on Wednesday March 23 from 5.30pm to 6.30pm, and Yale Wrexham from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on Thursday March 24.

Principal Sue Price looks forward to meeting prospective students and their families and showcasing the breadth of programmes on offer across the four sites, from Engineering and Agriculture to Performing Arts, Business, Applied Science and more.

“We are delighted to hold these March open events face-to-face so we can fully demonstrate the wide range of subjects, apprenticeships and qualifications available at Coleg Cambria,” she said.

Cambria’s Chief Executive Yana Williams added: “By hosting open events across all four sites and accessible sessions at Yale and Deeside we can give prospective students a flavour of why they should choose to study here.

“We have unveiled modern, state-of-the-art facilities in past years and innovative courses designed in collaboration with industry, so learners are well prepared for their future careers.

“Importantly, our lecturers and staff will also highlight the college’s focus on health and wellbeing, and why the students are at the heart of everything we do.

“Cambria is about community and helping all of our learners to achieve their goals and strive for excellence in a supportive, inspiring setting – on behalf of the team here, we look forward to seeing you soon.”

For more information and to register for the accessible open events, visit www.cambria.ac.uk/accessibleopenevents

Education, News

Sommet Education launches “fast-track, career impact” executive programmes for hospitality industry professionals

Sommet Education has launched a new portfolio of executive programmes, offered at two of its top-ranked institutions Les Roches Global Hospitality Education and Glion Institute of Higher Education, tailored to the fast-evolving world of the hospitality industry.

For employers, ensuring the development of high-potential employees and guiding them towards leadership positions is a key factor in attracting and retaining talent, whilst continuous development of individual skills and knowledge has become a necessity in the careers of all professionals and currently represents the main determinant of employability.

So , for ambitious professionals eager to learn alongside a high-calibre, international peer group wanting to upskill and fast-track their career alongside employment, Sommet Education has designed three programmes: an Executive Master’s in International Hotel Management by Les Roches Marbella; an Executive MBA in Global Hospitality Management by Les Roches Crans-Montana; and an Executive Master’s in Luxury Management and Guest Experience by Glion Institute of Higher Education.

These distance learning programmes, which will equip participants with the skills, knowledge and network needed to compete for the most demanding positions in the global hospitality market, run for nine to 12 months in duration. They are divided into different modules, allowing participants to study without interrupting their career and balance fast-paced professional activity with in-depth learning.

Face-to-face presence is condensed, intensive, and aimed at broadening horizons through behind-the-scenes field visits to prestigious brands and innovative operators in state-of-the-art hospitality destinations in London, Dubai, Spain and Switzerland. The key objectives of these programmes include networking and bonding with experts and peers.

The executive programmes are taught by the institutions’ faculty, senior industry professionals and acknowledged experts in their chosen fields. Packed with high-level business and management content, including finance, strategy and sustainability, the programmes conclude with a hospitality business capstone project that challenges participants to find actual solutions in a real-world context.

Participants can also benefit from personalised coaching by leading executive search consultancy. Sessions will tackle their personal project and branding, thus enabling them to take the next step in their professional career.

Sommet Education Chief Academic Officer Pierre Ihmle said:

“The fast-paced evolutions in the hospitality industry and the high demand for qualifications have accentuated the fact that staff in general, and even professionals with an established track record, need to continuously learn to grow their career and thrive in their professional life. These three dense executive programmes enable professionals to secure a rapid and efficient return on investment in their career while remaining in their positions.”

News, Pets

Lily’s Kitchen Enhances Customer Experience With Ordergroove Subscriptions

Ordergroove, the leader in Relationship Commerce, announced today that Lily’s Kitchen, the U.K.’s No. 1 brand in premium natural pet food1, has successfully implemented an Ordergroove subscription experience. Seeking to provide a seamless shopping experience for consumers, Lily’s Kitchen partnered with Ordergroove to deliver an innovative subscription offering that prioritises convenience.

Since launching the Ordergroove subscription experience in April 2020, Lily’s Kitchen has achieved rapid success. By June of the same year, the brand attributed more than 10% of its total sales to its subscription experience. At the end of 2021, this figure had doubled and now accounts for 20% of monthly sales.

The bespoke subscription offering, implemented by certified B Corp Lily’s Kitchen, ensures customers receive a regular supply of their pets’ favorite recipes while also offering incentives such as cost savings and delivery. What’s more, subscribers have full control over their recurring orders, including the ability to edit, pause or cancel at any time. Subscribers can also change order frequency or switch between similar products with ease – ensuring customers receive enough wet and dry recipes and treats each month to keep their four-legged friends happy and healthy.

 “We celebrate the pet-parent relationship in all its forms,” said Michelle Corp, eCommerce Director, Lily’s Kitchen. “By adding a subscription experience, we were able to make it much more convenient for pet parents to stock up on their pets’ favorite recipes – and free them up to spend more quality time with their cats and dogs. We knew subscriptions were going to be popular, but their rapid growth was greater than we anticipated. It’s a mutual success story for our valued pet parents, Lily’s Kitchen, and Ordergroove.”

When selecting a subscription solution, Lily’s Kitchen prioritised ease of use and flexibility for its customers. The brand also desired a subscription technology that would seamlessly integrate with its existing eCommerce platform and that had a high level of automation.

“The decision by Lily’s Kitchen to launch a subscription offering aligns perfectly with the brand’s mission to deliver wholesome pet recipes and be a force for good,” said Greg Alvo, CEO, Ordergroove.

“The results Lily’s Kitchen has achieved with subscriptions are phenomenal and are a testament to the importance of fostering relationships, rewarding loyalty and listening to consumers’ call for convenient shopping experiences.”

Climate, News, North of England, Transport

UK Councils introduce electric mopeds in newly revised sustainable Wheels to Work schemes

The growing popularity of the Wheels to Work scheme has indicated to councils throughout the country that it is time to start offering commuters with a sustainable option for personal transport to work.” Richard Jordan CEO at Super Soco UK

UK Councils begin introducing electric mopeds into their Wheels to Work scheme in the push towards sustainable commuting

Two regional councils in the UK have begun implementing a pioneering scheme offering electric mopeds as a form of personal transport to bolster green transport options for commuters. The scheme is aimed to help workers throughout the UK travel to work sustainably and affordably.

Wheels to Work schemes have now been altered to include both electric and petrol mopeds. Mopeds can be hired for up to 12 months for as little as £60 per month, with the payment including CBT training, road tax, insurance, service and maintenance costs and a helmet, gloves and high-vis vest. Users must live within the counties implementing these schemes, be over the age of 16 years, and hold a firm offer of work for 16 hours a week or more.

North Lincolnshire Council is setting the standard for Wheels to Work schemes across the country adding 18 new electric mopeds to its current fleet of ten, giving almost three times as many people the ability to travel into the workplace sustainably. The scheme was originally launched with 5 petrol mopeds, but with new additions to the fleet and the rising popularity, the current scooters have already clocked almost 16,000 miles. The scheme offers a range of electric motorcycles, including models from Super Soco UK, such as the popular the TC Max.

The implementation follows on from Tees Valley Combined Authority’s trialling of an Integrated Transport Programme. The trial project will help people who do not have access to a car or bike, or who cannot make the journey by bus or train to work/college. The scheme offers electric motorbikes, or e-bikes, to eligible users and provides the necessary safety equipment and training, similar to North Lincolnshire’s scheme.

So far the scheme has proved successful, benefiting over 150 people since early 2018. TVCA has secured funding of £840,00 to continue a further three-year period and being transitioning to an all-electric fleet.

During the launch of the extended fleet in North Lincolnshire, Scunthorpe MP Holly-Mumby Croft said: “It was brilliant to go along with my neighbouring MP Andrew Percy and have a look at the new mopeds that North Lincs Council are rolling out. The clean, green and affordable mopeds can be rented by eligible North Lincs residents to help them get to work or college. This is a really great scheme. Being unable to get about can be one of the biggest barriers, especially for younger people. Don’t worry I didn’t ride off without a helmet!”

Reflecting on the Wheels to Work scheme, Richard Jordan, CEO at Super Soco UK, the UK’s top-selling electric motorcycle brand in 2021 and supplier for the Wheels to Work scheme, said: “The growing popularity of the Wheels to Work scheme has indicated to councils throughout the country that it is time to start offering commuters with a sustainable option for personal transport to work. It is clear that public transport is not always the best choice for commuting to work, especially in a post-pandemic world. So offering commuters with a clean, sustainable safe alternative has displayed the demand for such schemes across the country.

“Where public transport has dominated in larger cities, for more rural areas and less connected smaller towns, the Wheels to Work scheme, provides workers with quick, affordable, easy transport. As we all begin to consciously become more sustainable and control our carbon footprints, these schemes allow people the freedom and liberties to travel cleanly and control their environmental impact.

It is now time for other counties in the UK to follow North Lincolnshire and Tees Valley’s lead and begin offering constituents with a safe, sustainable form of personal transport.”

 

About Super Soco UK and GreenMo UK

Super Soco UK is the UK’s most popular brand of electric motorbikes and mopeds, with more than 60 dealers across the UK.  GreenMo UK provides Super Soco mopeds and motorcycles, alongside e-bikes, to the most demanding delivery fleets in the UK. Super Soco UK and GreenMo UK are part of the Go Green group, which operates over 35,000 electric vehicles in 8 countries across Europe.  .

 

News, North of England, Sport

Yorkshire entrepreneur invests in self-defence Academy following surge in demand for training

Leeds based self-defence club, Spartans Academy of Krav Maga, has secured significant financial investment from York-based entrepreneur and businessman, Tom Maxwell, to support a new strategy for growth following a surge in demand for self-defence training.

Headquartered in Kirkstall, the Academy operates across Yorkshire and the Northeast, teaching people of all ages the real-world application of Krav Maga, a form of non-competitive self-defence that combines techniques from boxing, wrestling, judo, and karate. Krav Maga was originally developed for Israeli defence forces and military applications.

Spartans Academy teaches people how to use the techniques in real life situations and has seen a 24% increase in both male and female membership over the past 12 months. It is on track to recruit 500 members by the end of the year.

The club has also had a big impact with young people, helping over 1,800 ‘Young Spartans’ in the past five years, from combating bullying to simply boosting self-confidence.

Spartans Academy is operated by Chief Instructor, Gheorghe Husar, one of the most decorated and respected masters of Krav Maga in the world. Husar is currently part of the Global Security Centre Team and offers club members the highest quality levels of teaching available.

Having seen the impact the Academy has had in the Yorkshire community and the importance of the skills and values it teaches, Maxwell is focusing on broadening the scope of the business to make Krav Maga even more accessible by collaborating with schools, Universities, charities and businesses in order to offer classes.

Speaking about the investment, Maxwell, who is both CEO of multi-million pound turnover business Twisted USA and chairman of tropical plant retailer Grow Tropicals, said: “As soon as I heard about the academy and Krav Maga as a discipline, I knew that this was something I wanted to help raise awareness of and push forward.

“Gheorghe is an instructor of the highest quality and is helping teach all demographics of the community these valuable, potentially lifesaving skills for defending yourself in a legal and safe manner. This is resonating with people now more than ever.

“With more and more people wanting to take steps to feel safe, there is undoubtedly tremendous potential to broaden the scope of the Academy and implement this type of training further in the education, charity and corporate sectors, and that’s something I’m really looking forward to.

Husar added: “It’s terrific for the Academy to have someone like Tom on board. His investment and forward thinking have brought new ideas to the table and provided a platform for us to increase the awareness of the importance of being able to defend yourself, if necessary.

“At the Spartans Academy, we have helped a huge variety of people and provided a safe space for them to overcome negative experiences and gain self-confidence, which in turn has delivered a massive benefit to their lives.

“We have already worked with partners including the Scouts, National Citizen Service (NCS) and Sheffield Hallam University and, with the support of Tom, we have no doubt we can continue to increase our reach and make a real difference in the community. We’re excited to see what we can achieve moving forward.”

Spartans offers classes in York, Sheffield, Leeds, Hull, Harrogate and Newcastle and is accessible to everyone, including those looking to learn a new skill or who want to know how to legally defend themselves.

HR, Mental Health, Mental Health at Work, News

HR workload is biggest barrier to better burnout support, according to HR managers

  • 32% of HR managers say heavy workloads prevent them from helping employees with burnout
  • 31% also struggle to recognise signs of burnout in employees
  • 94% of HR managers feel they are burnt-out, which experts warn is preventing them from providing effective employee support
  • Six in 10 (59%) HR managers state they’ve seen an increase in employee burnout in the last six months

New research reveals the barriers HR faces when tackling rising levels of employee burnout. The research, from Wellbeing Partners, shows that the most cited issue preventing HR from providing better burnout support to employees is their own workload. Thirty-two percent of HR managers say this is a problem. Thirty-one percent also struggle to recognise signs of burnout in employees.

The survey of 200 UK HR managers also shows that while 6 in 10 (59%) say they’ve seen an increase in employee burnout in the last 6 months, 26% admit to having limited understanding of how to deal with it, and more than 1 in 5 (23%) don’t understand the exact protocols to take when employees show deteriorating signs of mental health. Unsurprisingly, 17% don’t know when it’s appropriate to refer employees’ on to mental health professionals.

HR is burnt out too

Wellbeing Partners’ research also reveals that 94% of HR managers say they have signs of burnout too. Nearly half (47%) say they struggle to find motivation and stay focused, 4 in 10 (39%) feel tired or drained most of the time, 30% say they don’t sleep well most nights and 27% feel that nothing they do is effective or makes a difference.

On top of this, unhelpful coping strategies are taking place: over a quarter (28%) say they ‘just want to go on their phone or watch television’ and 17% use food, drugs and/or alcohol to cope.

Lou Campbell, Programmes Director at Wellbeing Partners, clinical experts in employee mental health, states:

“Many HR teams are expected to handle employee burnout and mental health issues, essentially becoming counsellors to support employees with any number of problems. This is a dangerous precedent. HR is unlikely to be professionally trained to navigate employee mental health issues, plus too many HR professionals are simply overwhelmed with so many priorities. It’s creating a vicious organisational circle.

“HR can take manageable action. One key step is to learn the appropriate framework – the boundaries – for having supportive conversations with employees. This helps conversations follow an appropriate path, utilising techniques and phrases which prevent support turning into therapy sessions, and bring conversations to a safe close. While showing care for employees, a framework can help HR professionals avoid entanglement in mental health or personal issues, and provides psychological safety for all parties.

“Ultimately, HR must remember that they are not counsellors and should also learn the skills to signpost employees to professional support. Taking on a counsellor role is not appropriate; ensuring employees get the support they need is. In doing this, HR can gain valuable time for their own wellbeing.”