Story Highlight
– Currys partners with Retail Trust for mental health support.
– 15,000 staff gain access to new wellbeing resources.
– Partnership includes counselling and financial aid services.
– Investment in colleague safety and incident reporting system.
– Strong colleague engagement places Currys in top 3% globally.
Full Story
Currys, a leading name in the UK’s omnichannel technology retail sector, has announced an innovative collaboration with the Retail Trust, a dedicated charity focused on improving conditions for those in the retail industry. This partnership aims to enhance the mental health support available to Currys’ workforce of approximately 15,000 employees.
As a result of this new alliance, Currys employees will gain access to a comprehensive suite of wellbeing resources. This initiative encompasses counselling services not only for staff but also for their immediate family members. Additionally, a distinct provision for young individuals will complement these services. The partnership will also facilitate financial assistance and provide round-the-clock access to a wellbeing helpline managed by the Retail Trust.
Moreover, the initiative introduces essential training and online resources aimed at equipping employees with the skills to manage and respond to abusive situations encountered in the workplace. Central to the partnership is the Retail Trust’s advanced wellbeing dashboard, harnessing generative AI technology to enable Currys to monitor and interpret mental health trends more effectively among its employees.
Recent findings published by the Retail Trust in their Retail People Index indicated a worrying decline in the general wellbeing of retail sector staff across the UK over the past year. Alarmingly, nearly 50% of retail workers reported experiencing verbal or physical abuse during their course of duty, highlighting the urgent need for increased support and protection.
In parallel with the partnership with the Retail Trust, Currys has undertaken substantial initiatives to bolster store safety. These measures include implementing a state-of-the-art incident reporting system, enhancing in-store surveillance camera systems, and fortifying security measures throughout their retail spaces.
Despite the challenges faced by the sector, Currys has maintained high levels of employee engagement. In fact, a recent internal survey positioned Currys in the upper echelon of global companies, ranking in the top 3% for employee engagement, according to assessments conducted by Viva-Glint. This recognition underscores the company’s commitment to nurturing a supportive work environment and emphasises the importance of further investments in employee mental health and overall welfare.
Paula Coughlan, Chief People, Communications and Sustainability Officer at Currys, expressed her pride in the launch of this new wellbeing initiative. She stated, “I’m really proud to share that we’ve launched a new wellbeing partnership with the Retail Trust, which provides all colleagues, and everyone in their household, with access to a significantly broader range of wellbeing support than ever before. It’s another meaningful step forward and builds on the culture of care, trust and support across Currys. My hope is that this makes a real difference for our colleagues and their families, whenever life throws something their way.”
Chris Brook-Carter, Chief Executive of the Retail Trust, commented on the positive implications of their collaboration, saying, “Our new partnership will help Currys to create happier and healthier workplaces in its stores and offices across the UK. We’re giving Currys colleagues access to new training, tools and expert help whenever they need it, and providing managers with more insight to better protect their teams’ wellbeing.”
The Retail Trust has previously launched initiatives such as the “Let’s Respect Retail” campaign in a bid to safeguard retail employees against abuse. The campaign focuses on fostering a respectful environment, while its happiness dashboard supplies comprehensive insights into employee mental health and practical guidance for addressing identified concerns.
This dashboard also serves as a tool for employers, allowing them to track the effectiveness of various workplace mental health strategies in real-time. Furthermore, it enables businesses to benchmark their performance against industry norms and to evaluate and report on the financial implications of their wellbeing measures, contributing positively to the wider economy.
Currys joins a growing roster of prominent employers collaborating with the Retail Trust. Other notable companies, including Poundland and Mountain Warehouse, have also established new partnerships with the charity within the past year, collectively extending support to over 16,000 employees. Meanwhile, energy giant bp has recently fortified its relationship with the Retail Trust by extending its partnership for an additional five years.
This progressive move by Currys reflects a broader trend towards prioritising mental health and employee wellbeing in the retail sector, a field frequently characterised by high-stress environments and interpersonal challenges. As businesses increasingly recognise the impact of mental health on workplace productivity and employee satisfaction, partnerships like that of Currys and the Retail Trust could set a precedent for similar initiatives across the industry.
With the implementation of these resources and training opportunities, there is hope that this initiative will contribute to a cultural shift, fostering safer and more supportive working conditions throughout the retail landscape.
Our Thoughts
Currys’ partnership with the Retail Trust highlights an important focus on employee wellbeing and safety, but several key measures could have been taken to prevent the challenges faced by retail workers. Firstly, systematic risk assessments under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 could help identify specific hazards related to verbal and physical abuse and implement targeted control measures, including de-escalation training.
Additionally, compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 mandates taking reasonable steps to ensure employee safety. The introduction of a robust workplace violence prevention policy, including reporting mechanisms and support systems, would help mitigate risks of abuse. While Currys’ move to enhance security infrastructure is positive, a proactive approach in engaging staff to voice concerns and input into safety protocols could further foster a culture of safety.
Lastly, monitoring the effectiveness of existing mental health initiatives and regularly reviewing working conditions can ensure that the company adapts to emerging risks, thereby creating a safer environment. Regular training and resources, as initiated, need consistent enhancement and focus on prevention strategies to effectively meet safety standards in the retail sector.
