Join the movement for <suicide-safe> workplaces
Redefining well-being in hospitality
Poor mental health and high suicide risk among hospitality workers doesn’t have to be the norm. R;pple is campaigning for change in partnership with industry friends the Revolution Bars Group – the popular chain that has rolled out the R;pple tool on its Wi-Fi networks for all its employees nationwide - and The Burnt Chef Project - a community for mental health support and education for the hospitality industry.
This World Suicide Prevention Day, R;pple is calling on employers to sign up for its five commitments and pledge to make positive changes and protect their workforce.
Hospitality Pledge
Let's work together to create safe and supportive
workplaces for all.
Even better communication to reduce the stigma of suicide & mental health
One of the greatest challenges for individuals struggling with mental health is the associated stigma which prevents them from reaching out to get treatment. Employers can help to reduce the stigma of suicide and mental health issues by simply opening the conversation.
Do it this week: Ensure the correct language and terminology is used around mental health and suicide and circulate 1 x educational resource internally on the topic for World Suicide Prevention Day - see our Language Matters guide here.
Do it next month: Share supportive material for employees to learn about mental health conditions and voice concerns about their own mental health.
Work on it by next year: Develop a staff mental health check-in survey (which could be anonymous) to help employees recognise if they have an issue and need to reach out.
Upskill employees on how to support peers and raise concerns
One of the biggest challenges in preventing suicide is being able to recognise when someone is struggling, especially if they are suffering in silence. Educate staff on how to look out for each other and the process for raising concerns.
Do it this month: Assign everyone with a wellness buddy - someone they connect with on a set regular basis (ideally F2F on a walk) to discuss mental health practices, goals and challenges.
Do it next month: Arrange short virtual mental health training for all so that employees have the basic knowledge on how to intervene and help. Free resources you can explore include Zero Suicide Alliance's 20-minute online suicide awareness training and the suicide awareness module available via The Burnt Chef Academy.
Work on it by next year: Set up annual mental health and suicide prevention training sessions with relevant staff. Find our recommended partners here.
Protect staff safety at every touchpoint
Staff health and safety online is often not considered. R;pple is a simple yet life-saving tool available as a browser extension and through Wi-Fi integration that intercepts harmful searches relating to suicide or self-harm, by instead providing resources for people to seek free, accessible 24/7 mental health support.
Do it this week: Inform your immediate team / employees on how to download the R;pple tool individually on their personal laptop or desktop computers for free (share our one-pager and download instructions).
Do it next 6 months: Implement a business-wide roll-out of R;pple so that all work devices have the R;pple browser extension deployed on laptops and desktop computers.
Work on it, as soon as you can: Deploy the R;pple tool in all venues on the Wi-Fi network so that anyone connected to the Wi-Fi (customers and staff) will be intercepted should they conduct harmful online searches.
Ensure a ‘wellness action plan’ is in place
There should be a clear action plan in place for any employees who have been identified as potentially vulnerable or at risk. For example:
Step 1: Colleague raises concern over vulnerable employee to employer.
Step 2: Trained staff member approaches employee (using appropriate language) in a private, safe, and calm space to understand more.
Step 3: Offer immediate resources to employee and ensure they feel supported, as well as longer term resources to assist the employee in managing their mental health in the future.
Step 4: Offer for employee to have a ‘mental health day(s)’ to take time off work - no questions asked, and no pay reduction.
Step 5: Set next steps / actions if specific people or causes have been flagged as contributing to their mental health.
Wellness plan resources tailored for the hospitality industry include The Burnt Chef Project’s check in tool for individuals and guide for line managers.
Provide support for each of the most triggering elements of the job
There are a number of elements specific to the hospitality sector that negatively impact mental wellbeing. Below are some of the most common pulled from our survey, with ways to help your employees:
High-stress environment: Training to equip staff with tools to cope with on-the-job stressors.
Low pay / financial wellbeing: Providing free financial wellbeing training, financial counselling, or financial support for workers experiencing financial hardship; this could range from anything to free lunch, to travel-to-work funding. You can join us for the Financial Wellbeing Month Hospitality stream to discuss challenges and best practices.
Abuse from customers: Ensure all customers entering the venue know there is a zero-tolerance policy on abuse to staff, offer staff counselling post any abuse.
Colleague challenges / issues: Ensure all staff are aware there is a zero-tolerance policy to bullying. Implement an open and inclusive culture to ensure they have support to talk about any issues in the workplace without judgement or repercussions.
Speak to our team
For questions about the R;pple tool and wider R;pple work