The Hayes business which owns McVitie's, Jacob's and Godiva has signed a mental health pledge towards its 4,600 employees across the country.

Pladis, which has its global headquarters in Hayes Park signed on to Time to Change, a scheme run by mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.

The scheme hopes to create a positive shift in public attitudes towards mental health problems.

The company has a mental health ambassador at all of its 13 sites across the UK and Ireland, and is offering mental health awareness training, workplace stress guidance and a 24/7 confidential telephone support line and counselling for employees and their families.

Pladis' global heaquarters in Hayes Park, Hayes. The company has operations in 130 countries

Sue Baker OBE, Director of Time to Change, said: “With one in six British workers experiencing mental illness, it’s crucial that UK employers support staff at all levels to open up, to talk and to listen.

"Too many people with mental health problems are made to feel worthless and alone in a work setting.

"Every person’s attitude makes a difference and so it’s fantastic to see companies like Pladis taking the lead and making a commitment that will ultimately help to improve its productivity and staff retention and create a happy and engaged workforce.”

Vicky Callaghan (Centre) who organised the initiative, with some of the pladis mental health and wellbeing ambassadors

The Hayes-based biscuit and confectionery company has operations in 130 countries spread across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas.

It owns McVitie's - the company behind the digestive as well as Jaffa Cakes and Penguin bars, as well as Godiva, Jacob's, Go Ahead! and Ulker, the biggest biscuit and confectionery brand in Turkey and the Middle East.

Jon Eggleton, Managing Director of pladis UK & Ireland signing the pledge

Jon Eggleton, Managing Director UK and Ireland at Pladis , added: “As a business, we are committed to offering our employees a safe, inclusive and happy work environment.

"Mental health is a big part of our agenda and we are determined to do our part to ensure all our employees are well supported and have equal opportunities.

"Through our Health and Wellbeing programme, we promise to further tackle the discrimination associated with mental health by raising awareness and creating a platform for our employees to talk openly about this significant issue.

"Signing this pledge with Time to Change is a major step forwards in our journey to building a mentally healthy workforce.”

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