Our Inclusion champion network is a dedicated team of volunteers across the UK&I who are passionate about inspiring each and every one of our colleagues to embrace positive changes, reach their full potential and most importantly, to feel good and function well.

Made up of team members from all levels of seniority, and across each of our offices and regions, the network’s purpose is to keep colleague wellbeing and inclusion at the forefront every day by meeting regularly to discuss and implement the UK&I Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Wellbeing plan. Our Inclusion Champions play a vital role in tailoring mental health initiatives and awareness to reflect the unique needs and cultural contexts of each local community, while also ensuring regional consistency across our approach. We promote national awareness days and initiatives, provide a forum for sharing best practices, address wellbeing and DE&I related challenges, and serve as a source of ideas and suggestions for colleague wellbeing and inclusion. What unites and drives the Inclusion champion network is a true passion for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Wellbeing; every member of the network is motivated to make a difference, no matter how small.

We have a growing network of trained Mental Health First Aiders across all levels and locations of our business.  Mental Health First Aiders are able to recognise people who may be experiencing poor mental health and provide them with first-level support and early intervention. They are able to offer a non-judgmental ear and effectively signpost colleagues to get the help or support they need.  This in turn helps to build supportive communities and a workplace culture where colleagues feel they can be open about their mental health. We welcome applications to be a Mental Health First Aider from all areas of the business and pride ourselves on taking good care of our Mental Health First Aid network with a comprehensive wrap around plan.   

Each month, we dedicate an hour to our colleague’s wellbeing. The wellbeing hour is an opportunity to engage in something that promotes your health and happiness.

During this time, you’re encouraged to reconnect with family, friends and colleagues, or use it as a chance to be active – whether that’s savouring the outdoors or immersing yourself in nature and sport. Alternatively, you might learn something new, which can provide you with an enormous sense of achievement. Or you could focus on mindfulness, taking the time to be fully present, acknowledging your thoughts and emotions whilst engaging with the environment around you.

Don’t just take our word for it though – see what our people have to say:

“The wellbeing hour is great; I use mine to get my hair done so I don't have to go on a weekend”.

“It’s great in the winter where I can finish early or extend my lunch so I can go on a run while it’s still light”.

Evidence suggests that 69% of managers recognise supporting wellbeing as a core part of their management role, yet only 13% of managers get any training on how to better understand and support colleague wellbeing. We’re proud of our in house ‘Managing Well’ workshop, which forms an important module within our people learning plan.

During this interactive half day workshop, our managers learn what we mean by workplace wellbeing and why it’s so important, understand the challenges we face and the factors that influence wellbeing. Our managers are encouraged to reflect on what drives their own wellbeing, learn about tools that can facilitate compassionate conversations, and understand all the resources available to support colleague wellbeing within Hays.

We hold a bi-monthly menopause drop in call; a peer-to-peer conversation that helps people learn and understand more about perimenopause, menopause and beyond. The call provides a safe space to gain support and insight from colleagues’ lived experience. We also invite subject matter experts to join our call to provide educational content on different aspects of hormone health. 

“I joined the Menopause channel because my colleague/good friend told me to – she clearly knew something I didn’t at the time. I was feeling so lost and desperately unhappy, which I was attributing to life post-covid – just recovering from the horrendous experience of being locked up with two kids and my husband for as long as we were!

Anyway, I joined the session and listened to a lady who hadn’t long joined Hays, and she was brave enough to tell her own story of starting HRT. As she described her general feelings and mental state, I started to cry. I resonated with her story so much.

I made a GP appointment that day, and within a week I was prescribed HRT and basically started to get my life back on track.12 months on and I feel myself.” Business Director, London.

Evidence suggests men are less likely to talk about their health than women, yet the reported statistics reveal that men are disproportionally impacted by a number of health conditions, especially mental health, and less likely to seek professional help. With this in mind, we wanted to create a place where men can talk openly about all aspects of health. For colleagues who identify as male, we run a bi-monthly men’s health drop in call. The session is a safe space where colleagues can share lived experience of their own health and where we invite men’s health specialists to share their knowledge and expertise.

We work with an external specialist to provide a programme of financial wellbeing workshops, featuring topics like basic money management, money mindset, and planning for modern returnment.  We also have Financial Wellbeing Champions within the business, who have been trained to help individuals identify what area of their financial wellbeing they may want to improve, and help signpost to next steps. These can include a 1-2-1 session with a financial wellbeing coach, or recommending one of the many benefits we offer relating to finance, such as our mortgage broker service, our carer concierge, or our Sharesave scheme.

We want our colleagues to be empowered to take control of their own financial situation and know what resources and services we offer to support them at every stage if their career and life.

For our people to flourish we recognise the importance of providing a flexible work environment which helps to balance work and home life commitments and includes a safe and vibrant working space. Hybrid working helps to reinforce our passion for people and showcase our ability to be innovative and embrace new ways of working. But flexibility isn’t just about where or when we work, it’s about how we work. At Hays, we’re committed to building a workplace where mental health is prioritised. By offering adaptable working options and tailored support, we help reduce stress, promote emotional wellbeing, and foster a healthier, more sustainable work-life balance.

Sonder is our 24/7 medical, mental health and safety support service. It is backed by expert health and safety professionals, including registered nurses and mental health clinicians. It is specifically designed to assist you in self-care and provide preventative wellbeing and safety support.