With the pandemic winding down but international affairs moving at an alarming pace, national bridging lender Black & White Bridging is calling on the industry to continue supporting employees’ mental health.
Over the past two years, many businesses have focussed on the mental health challenges faced by employees in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
But with the Government calling for a return to normality the lender has warned that the focus on mental health cannot be allowed to wain.
Damien Druce (pictured), commercial director at the lender, said: “Mental health has long been a taboo subject in many employment areas, including financial services.
“During the course of the pandemic the property finance space has made great strides in addressing this but with the ongoing cost of living crisis and escalating tensions internationally businesses should not rest on their laurels.
“With initiatives like the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC) we have a great foundation to build on.
“But no matter how large or small a business is we cannot let the mental health challenges of employees, and indeed employers, become a second thought.
“You never know what people are going through personally and as a responsible employer it’s the role of any business to do the best by its staff.”
As such Black & White Bridging, which is approaching its first anniversary as a national lender, has been spending as much time on the working environment for its team members as it does on its product and service proposition.
In October, Black & White was among the first businesses to join the MIMHC. Since then, it has enrolled each team member in a wellness initiative by putting together a team wellness chart aimed at helping everyone achieve their personal and professional goals over the year.
According to Druce building a positive, vibrant team ethos is at the heart of what Black & White is all about.
He said: “Luckily for us we are surrounded by beautiful countryside and we have introduced daily walking pairs to encourage a team member to get out of the office with a random member of the team.
“It helps keep us fit and healthy and also fosters a closer team spirit. We have also encouraged team members to become active and contribute to charities. Our next event will see us taking part in the Weston Half Marathon in March.
“We want people to feel happy in their workplace and feel that they have a supportive environment.
“It is a win/win as they want to pursue a long-term future with us and we are able to help them achieve a work/life balance that works makes them feel supported and valued.
“While it is early days, we believe we have the right formula to recruit and retain people to work for us.
“They genuinely want to come to work because they enjoy the camaraderie and the challenge, not just because they have to pay the bills.
“As a lender we are all about supporting people and that starts with our staff and extends to everyone we deal with. Supporting and nurturing should be one, and indeed is for many, of the key objectives of our industry.”
Last week Black & White Bridging agreed to give a percentage of its revenue on every deal to United Help Ukraine – a donation page for the charity can be found here.
