London Drugs is supporting employee well-being through several mental-health training programs.
Through a mobile app, the pharmacy chain offers employees group and individual learning sessions that focus on resilience in the workplace. Kristi Loewen, manager of employee relations, says the decision to offer the program was inspired by the challenges that employees faced during the coronavirus pandemic.
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“During COVID, we stayed open, so between [frontline employees] and management, we identified a real opportunity to build resilience — we were looking for something to supplement [our existing mental-health program] that was more proactive, as opposed to reactive.”
The program’s focus on psychological safety aligns with the employer’s wider human resources strategy, says Julie Thomas, London Drugs’ health and safety manager, noting the app is promoted to employees through a variety of channels.
“There’s signage and we’ll send out information on upcoming sessions or campaigns and hold little contests that people can participate in if they choose. It’s also featured in our monthly health and safety topics. Overall, we’re pleased with utilization.”
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The company is also hosting courses on mental-health first aid, including a component on the management of aggressive behaviour in a retail setting. The first-aid program consists of two-day workshop that’s currently being rolled out to store managers and senior leaders, says Clayton Dean, London Drugs’ learning and development manager.
“We’ve also done some work on bringing awareness [of managers with mental-health training] to new hires. As soon as you’re onboarding with us, we have a video that says, ‘You have support and your management have all been trained.’ We’ve tried to do a holistic approach from the frontline all the way to senior leaders.”
These programs have also supported the overall effectiveness of London Drugs’ benefits plan by reducing usage of sick days and disability leave, says Kelly Louie, the employer’s manager of compensation and benefits.
“These programs have made a difference, as a whole, combined with giving our employees resources and options to reach out, to better prepare themselves and become more resilient.”
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