Zinc Media launches employee support schemes

Factual super indie Zinc Media has launched two new employee support initiatives to help its staff through the current period of Covid-19 and beyond – an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and a Mental Health First Aid programme.

Zinc Media has 160 staff across five sites – Aberdeen, Belfast, Glasgow, London and Manchester with an emerging Bristol base.

It houses six leading factual TV production brands (Blakeway, Blakeway North, Brook Lapping, Films of Record, Reef, and Tern Television) as well as Zinc Communicate, a marketing communications agency working across publishing and content.

Its new Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) will provide services including counselling, critical incident and trauma support, mental health support, rent and landlord advice, bereavement support, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), medical information and occupational health advice. It also offers access to both financial and legal specialists and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The second initiative is Mental Health First Aid which will help individuals explore how to build, and maintain, good mental fitness. Run in small groups, it will help participants learn how to manage their own mental health, develop a self-care action plan and cover more general strategies to recognise and manage an individual’s mental health.

Katie O’Callaghan, HR Director, Zinc Media, says: “We are acutely aware that the current period is a very stressful time for all our staff. The current Covid-19 situation has impacted everyone in its own way – from those suffering bereavement, or juggling home schooling and childcare with work, to others are caring for sick or elderly relatives. Whatever their situation, we are keen to support all our staff at this difficult time.

“We are all facing huge changes in our lives, which can combine to create uncertainty, fear and anxiety. It’s become clear that the UK will not be returning to a pre-covid normal life for quite a long time. Ahead of us lies a lengthy period of change as we adapt every area of our lives to a post-Covid world, with all sorts of unforeseen circumstances ahead. These initiatives are designed to support our entire team, right across the UK.”