For employers and managers
You don't need to be a therapist to make your workplace a safer place for someone who is struggling.
Employers often spend a large part of the week with their staff. Sometimes you will notice a change in somebody before their friends or family do.
A member of staff might be experiencing problems at home, bullying, abuse, harassment, financial difficulties, mental health problems or something they do not feel ready to talk about.
Your job is not to diagnose the problem or solve someone's personal life. You can listen, take concerns seriously and help them find appropriate support.
What might you notice?
Everyone responds differently when something is wrong. One sign on its own does not mean somebody is in difficulty. A change in someone's usual behaviour might be worth noticing.
Starting a conversation
If you are concerned about somebody, you do not need a complicated speech. Find somewhere private and start with what you have noticed.
Good boundaries matter
Caring about somebody who works for you does not mean becoming their counsellor.
Managers and employers have a position of responsibility. Clear professional boundaries protect the employee, the manager and everybody else in the workplace.
Staff should know who they can speak to if the person they are uncomfortable with is their manager.
Young workers and people who are already vulnerable need particular care. Friendly workplaces still need clear boundaries around personal contact, inappropriate comments, unwanted attention and relationships at work.
Create a workplace where people speak up
A policy sitting in a folder is of little value if staff are frightened to use it.
Make sure people know what behaviour is expected, what is not acceptable and who they should speak to when something concerns them.
When somebody raises a concern, take them seriously. Avoid dismissing something because you did not personally see it or because the other person says they meant no harm.
Where a concern involves abuse, safeguarding, harassment, immediate danger or possible criminal behaviour, seek appropriate professional advice rather than trying to investigate everything yourself.
Working Together
We created our Working Together: Boundaries, Safety and Speaking Up document for our own workplace at Jacob's Bagels.
We are making it freely available to other employers and managers who might find it useful as a starting point for their own workplace.
Download Working Together FREEFound it useful?
There is no charge for downloading Working Together. If you find the document useful, please consider making a small voluntary donation to our chosen charity.
Jacob's House and Jacob's Bagels do not receive the donation. Your donation goes directly to the charity.
Donate to our chosen charity No donation is required to download the document.When someone needs more help
Jacob's House provides routes to organisations which specialise in different types of support.
If someone tells you they are in immediate danger, or you believe there is an immediate risk to life, call 999.
Remember: supporting an employee does not mean you have to have all the answers.
Sometimes the most useful thing an employer can do is listen, recognise the person's concern and help them reach somebody qualified to help.
