Burton-based pub company Punch Pubs & Co has achieved this accolade for its commitment to workplace wellbeing.
Punch was one of the 61 organisations participating in Mind’s seventh annual Workplace Wellbeing Index and was recognised with a Gold Award, meaning it has successfully embedded mental health into its policies and practices and demonstrated a long-term, in-depth commitment to employee mental health.
This commitment is demonstrated through Punch’s ‘Push the Pineapple’ programme, which aims to empower everyone at Punch to be their authentic self at work by creating an open environment where people feel comfortable speaking openly about their feelings.
It is also a programme that provides practical support through training workshops and handy tool cards that help tackle day-to-day challenges, be they emotional, financial, or technical challenges. Punch has also launched its own podcast, where colleagues come together with various experts to discuss important topics, including mental health, ED & I, physical health and wellbeing, amongst many others. Their mantra simply is that ‘Nothing is off the Table’.
Volunteer Mental Health and Wellbeing Ambassadors and colleagues across Punch support the employee-led initiative. One of whom was also recognised in the awards. HR Business Partner, Aislinn McDonnell, was a finalist in the ‘Wellbeing Lead Award’ category, nominated by her colleagues from within the Punch business.
Speaking about the awards, HR Director for Punch Pubs & Co, Laura Cavendish, said, “We are incredibly proud to have risen from last year’s Silver to Gold in the 2023 Mind Workplace Wellbeing Awards.
“This recognition is a testament to our people’s determination and unerring work to ensure that Punch is a business that supports employees. The award also reflects our commitment to creating a safe space for people to share their experiences and seek help when needed. Our core aims in the Push the Pineapple stream of work is to ensure that every member of the Punch team can feel good and thrive.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to recognise Aislinn. She has been the spearhead since the programme’s inception. Congratulations, Ash, your finalist status as Wellbeing Lead is well deserved.”
Andrew Berrie, Head of Workplace Wellbeing at Mind, said:
“The organisations participating in our Workplace Wellbeing Index are, undoubtedly, leading the way in their work to assess the impact of their efforts. By consulting with their people on what is working and where they could improve, and embedding best practice, they are prioritising employee mental health and wellbeing.”
Mind’s cutting-edge Wellbeing Index benchmarks best policies and practices for positive mental health and wellbeing. The Index also celebrates employers’ excellent work.
