Aldi Ireland has announced a new mental health initiative to support colleagues, in partnership with Elephant in the Room (EITR).
The campaign aims to encourage colleagues to engage in open conversations about mental health and well-being in the workplace.
As part of the initiative, EITR has installed a four-foot elephant sculpture in Aldi’s corporate headquarters in Naas, Co. Kildare.
The company will instal sculptures across all of Aldi’s office facilities as the initiative rolls out.
Aldi is advancing this mental health initiative by making an additional donation to its charity partner, Aware.
Since 2022, Aldi has partnered with Aware, in an effort to promote and enhance mental health and wellness support to colleagues.
Due to the success of the partnership to date, it has been extended by another year.
Aware will continue to provide Aldi’s colleagues with advice, guidance, and information on key mental health topics, to promote good mental health and fight stigmas.
Aldi’s partnership with Aware supports its existing employee wellness programme, encompassing counselling, wellness coaching, financial well-being, support, and more.
EITR aims to break down mental health stigmas by proactively promoting and encouraging safe spaces for mental health in the workplace.
The sculpture acts as a reminder to not be afraid of confronting the proverbial ‘elephant in the room’.
‘Promoting Good Mental Health’
Brent Pope, co-founder of EITR, said of the initiative, “We are excited to collaborate with Aldi as a new partner of this impactful initiative.
“Our vision is to help and support as many Irish people, businesses and organisations as possible in promoting good mental health and breaking down the barriers to openly talking about our mental health in the workplace.
“We encourage more organisations to follow Aldi’s lead and show their commitment and dedication to raising awareness about mental health by starting these important conversations at work.”
The HR director at Aldi Ireland, Brian O’Shea, added, “For Aldi, the well-being of our almost 5,000 colleagues is a top priority.
“Our commitment to our employees mirrors our dedication to delivering for all those we serve, whether local communities at each of our 161 store locations, or the colleagues that work in every one of these stores and in our office settings.
“By embracing the Elephant in the Room initiative, we are taking another important step forward in cultivating a workplace culture that prioritises mental health and well-being.”
Stephen Butterly, head of fundraising at Aware, said, “As we extend our partnership with Aldi, we are excited to continue working with the business and welcome their continued investment in creating a safe space for all employees to talk openly and without stigma around mental health and well-being.”
Butterly concluded, “We look forward to starting more important conversations with colleagues across the Aldi business and thank them for their ongoing support of the vital work that we do.”
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