Each year, Schneider Electric recognizes International Men's Day on November 19th.
International Men’s Day highlights the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities. The day also serves to highlight positive role models and awareness raising about men’s well-being.
The importance of supporting wellbeing
To mark the occasion in the UK and Ireland, Schneider Electric brought several of its male colleagues together to discuss their role in building an inclusive company and what support the company has offered them to help achieve work-life balance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the main theme, “I am Me, I am Unique, I am Schneider”, the men discussed the importance of supporting wellbeing during these unprecedented times. They also discussed the specific support available from Schneider Electric and for each other, as well as how new ways of working are helping them manage their unique life and work.
“Having the flexibility to work differently with Schneider Electric was helped inordinately. You know you can share your different thoughts and feelings with somebody who understands, and that was the key thing for me,” commented Paul Edwards, Learning and Development Solutions Manager.
“I'm very lucky to be part of a close team and I think as a team we're all great at being open with each other,” stated Senior HR Business Partner, Nicholas Stockley.
“I've learned more about myself as an individual and also more around my team now,” reflected Steve Hassard, a Service Operations Manager.
“The other thing that I really wanted to do right at the start was make sure I got this message across to the team to say: 'Don’t do as I do, do as you need to do,' ” explained Marc Garner, Vice President of Secure Power.
“I certainly would have been mortified if my three year old was screaming at me to look at the latest picture she had just drawn at nursery while I was on a call, whereas now, you know, it's OK,” said Liam Dear, an Internal Sales Manager.
Seeking help and accessing support
Ultimately, Schneider Electric recognized the need to encourage men to reach out for support when they need it.
Despite some men saying they find it hard to talk to someone about how they are feeling when they are struggling, during the first three months of lockdown three in ten contacts to global charity Samaritans were from men sharing concerns about loneliness or isolation. This highlights the importance of seeking help and getting support when needed.
It can take a lot to open-up about how you are feeling - and Schneider Electric understands this. But, once men do open up, they open themselves up to a world of support and it encourage others to do the same.
We can all reach out to our friends, brothers, fathers, sons - anyone who needs a little encouragement to open-up.
There is no shame in dealing with mental health but, particularly in a year like this, there has never been a better time to speak up and seek support.
Learn more about Schneider Electric's employee support
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They want their people - no matter who they are or where in the world they live - to feel they belong and are uniquely valued. This is how they drive innovation, engagement and high performance.
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Disclosure: Where Women Work researches and publishes insightful evidence about how its paid member organizations support women's equality.