Treasury: Working Conditions

(asked on 10th November 2017) - View Source

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to improve the (a) physical and (b) mental wellbeing of staff employed in his Department.


Answered by
Andrew Jones Portrait
Andrew Jones
This question was answered on 20th November 2017

The Civil Service has set out five priorities for the physical and mental health and wellbeing of its employees. The Civil Service has committed to being a leading employer on mental health support, in line with in the recently published independent review Thriving At Work.

In HM Treasury we are taking the following steps:

  1. Physical Wellbeing

    Employees are encouraged to

  • take their statutory 28 days per year annual leave, including at least one period of two weeks leave in order to have an extended period for rest and relaxation.

  • take part in regular daily activity including active travel, make use of the Cycle to Work Scheme, to move regularly throughout the day especially when using display screen equipment for long periods; to get involved in national wellbeing campaigns i.e. Civil Service Walking Challenges and other promotions

  • use the on-site gym and fitness classes, take part in sports activities run by the Treasury’s Sports and Social Club including Sports Day;

  • eat healthily. The Treasury works with the onsite caterers to encourage and provide healthy food options.

  • specialists within Human Resources ensure workplace adjustments are implemented.

  1. Mental Wellbeing

    The Treasury signed the Time to Change Pledge in February 2014 to help rid the stigma associated with poor mental health. Activities include:

  • promoting and delivering ‘Time to Talk Workshops’ that offer tips and information about how to manage mental health;

  • ensuring all new staff complete the eLearning ‘Stress Essentials’ and promoting the Civil Service eLearning ‘Mental Health Awareness’;

  • the Mental Wellbeing Network co-ordinates events during Mental Health Awareness Weeks, World Mental Health Day and Time to Talk Day to encourage open dialogue;

  • Treasury teams complete pulse checks and heatmaps to assess progress against wellbeing criteria from the annual People Survey;

  • Support for senior managers to deal with mental wellbeing issues;

  • 10 trained Mental Health First Aiders support the mental wellbeing of employees;

Use of the Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Service to help improve both mental and physical wellbeing.

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