Staff at Clacton Pier are being offered free health and wellbeing
support to help boost their lifestyles.
Bosses at the seaside attraction have signed up to a scheme which will
provide a confidential 24-hour helpline for all employees and their immediate
family members.
It will cover a whole range of issues such as finance, medical
information, alcohol and drugs, relationships, bereavement, domestic abuse,
stress and anxiety, legal, housing concerns, and childcare support.
All calls to the helpline are handled by an experienced therapist or
advisor.
It is the first time that the pier has provided a comprehensive service,
and it comes as part of the benefits of working at the attraction.
Director Billy Ball said that staff are the biggest asset of any firm
and you have no business without them.
“We have between 100 and 150 employees depending on the time of the year
and their health and wellbeing is of paramount importance to us,” he said.
“Balancing work and everyday life can create pressures for all of us and
access to this helpline can assist them to deal with both the personal and
professional problems that can be thrown at us at any time.
“Calls are handled by an experienced professional who will offer expert
advice and compassionate guidance in a friendly and non-judgemental manner.”
The Employee Assistance Programme is delivered by Health Assured, the
UK’s leading wellbeing provider. It will be paid for by the pier, with a fee
charged per employee.
Mr Ball added that sometimes people may prefer to discuss issues with a
totally independent person rather than a line manager, and the helpline
provides that.
“The idea is for people to receive confidential reactive support when
they need it – as well as proactive and preventative guidance,” he said.
There is also a My Healthy Advantage smartphone app as part of the
programme with features such as live chat, personalised news feed, weekly mood
tracker and four-week plans.
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PHOTO BY KEVIN JAY
