PDMS signs Mental Health at Work Commitment

PDMS has signed the Mental Health at Work Commitment, reinforcing our dedication to improving and supporting the mental health of our staff

By signing the Commitment, we have committed to achieving better mental health outcomes which reflects our ongoing efforts to foster a workplace where wellbeing is prioritised and employees feel supported.

Developed through collaboration between mental health charities, leading employers and membership bodies, the Mental Health at Work Commitment offers a clear and practical framework for organisations that understand the vital role of mental health in the workplace. 

The Commitment framework sets out six evidence-based standards designed to help employers cultivate an environment where they can make a meaningful difference and people can truly thrive.

Wellbeing at PDMS

By adopting these standards, PDMS has pledged to achieve better mental health outcomes and a lasting, positive impact on our team’s wellbeing. Encouragingly, many of the best practices highlighted in the Commitment are already embedded within our organisation. These include access to Headspace subscriptions for all staff, regular wellbeing talks, and the presence of trained Mental Health First Aiders. Building on this solid foundation, we are planning further initiatives as part of our evolving wellbeing strategy.

Mind, the leading mental health charity behind this initiative, welcomed our participation and recognised  PDMS’s proactive approach in embedding the Commitment’s six standards into the way we operate:

We know it can be hard to talk about mental health and seek support, which is why public commitments such as this one are so important. With issues like stress, anxiety and depression common across all employers, regardless of size or sector, we want to see every employer recognise and address any work-related causes of poor mental health among their staff and it's fantastic to see organisations like PDMS taking the lead.

Mental health at work

The importance of the Mental Health at Work Commitment is underscored by recent research into workplace wellbeing. A 2020 survey of UK adults by Business in the Community, in partnership with Bupa, found that only 51% of employees feel comfortable talking about mental health in the workplace, while 39% reported experiencing a work-related mental health issue in the past year.

More recently, research from Deloitte revealed that poor mental health now costs UK employers up to £51bn annually (2023-24) compared to £45bn in 2019. The study also highlighted that nearly two-thirds of people have experienced at least one characteristic of burnout, which include feelings of exhaustion, mental distance from their job, or decline in performance at work. 

Investment in workplace support and interventions remains a key issue, especially as the pandemic has changed our ways of working. Leading employers are increasingly recognising that prioritising mental health benefits not only their staff but also organisational performance, improving productivity and staff retention. With one in six British workers experiencing a mental health problem, it is essential that all employers take action to create healthier and more supportive working environments.

To find out more about our work to support our staff and the wider community, visit our Social Responsibility page