We have seen a shift in recent years with the prominence of mental health conversations becoming a stronger focus of Australian society, including in the retail sector.
With the quick pace of the retail world, where customer satisfaction and sales targets can often take center stage, the importance of mental health can still sometimes feel overlooked.
The recent ARA x NRA Retail Crime Symposium highlighted just some of the pressures on our frontline staff with impacts being widely felt. The recent release of the ANROWS Report into sexual harassment in the retail and hospitality sectors also highlighted the impact of customer behaviour on the mental health of retail workers.
And, of course the tragic events at Bondi Junction earlier this year had a devastating impact on the emotional well-being of people working in the centre on the day and right across our sector.
For all these reasons, conversations about mental health and the underlying need to support staff on an ongoing basis have never been more important as we mark this year’s RUOK? Day on Thursday, 12 September 2024.
RUOK? Day is an Australian wide campaign that encourages people to stop, pause and ask someone – Are you ok? Its founder, Gavin Larkin, who through his family’s own mental health experience, chose to champion a simple question to start a conversation.
Since then, RUOK? Day has become a national suicide prevention charity that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times. As we all live busy lives, it can be easy to get caught up with everything we need to just get done, but the day is about stopping and reflecting on our own mental health as well as what we can do to support our loved ones, colleagues and those around us.
Retail and RUOK? Day
For retailers, integrating RUOK? Day into the workplace involves more than just a one-day event. It requires creating a culture where mental health is a regular topic of discussion. Whilst RUOK? Day provides us a moment. The importance of the day falling part of a wider campaign is vital.
Host Conversations: On RUOK? Day, organise team meetings or informal gatherings where staff can openly discuss mental health. Provide resources and training to help managers and employees initiate these conversations and offer support
Promote Resources: Ensure that all employees are aware of mental health resources available to them, whether through employee assistance programs, counseling services, or support groups. Make these resources easily accessible and visible.
Encourage Regular Check-ins: Beyond RUOK? Day, encourage regular check-ins among staff. Managers should foster an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their well-being at any time. Regular one-on-one meetings can help in maintaining this open dialogue.
Implement Supportive Policies: Develop and enforce policies that support mental health, such as flexible working hours, mental health days, and access to professional development opportunities. Create an environment where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health.
Lead by Example: Leadership should model positive behaviors and attitudes towards mental health. When senior staff openly discuss their own challenges and demonstrate empathy, it sets a tone that can influence the entire organisation.
Get Informed: The team at RUOK? Day have developed some great resources aimed at supporting people to talk about mental health, as this webpage. Beyond Blue also have resources and insights about managing workplace stress and pressures, which are available here here.
