As October is depression and mental health awareness month, we recognize it as a time to highlight resources and raise awareness for mental wellness for all. Still a stigmatized subject, it can be difficult to comfortably open up and talk about mental wellness, especially in the workplace. Corporations tend to talk the talk when it comes to providing staff with resources and initiatives for mental well-being but when it comes down to it, not many walk the walk. In my time as an intern, I’ve observed all the opportunities that Kite Hill PR provides for employees to prioritize their mental health and be successful professionals.
Agility and Flexibility for Balanced Work Schedule
The workweek can get restless and sometimes it’s difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance, especially in this new work-from-home era of business. Kite Hill PR has proven that efficiency is not always the product of a non-stop workflow confined to the hours between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. By providing our team with opportunities throughout the week to take a breath, refocus and get back on track, Kite Hill PR’s value of agility comes into play to create a refreshing and progressive work environment where team members can rely and lean on each other.
Have you ever heard of a SWAB? A SWAB, or sanity walk around the block, reduces daily burnout by giving employees time to take a break, go on a walk to relax and reboot when they’re feeling confined while working from home. SWABs have the power to save productivity by giving time and space for each employee’s needs without sacrificing the quality of the work. Our team is mindful of this time and respects the moments that their team members need to take for themselves.
On Fridays, we prioritize
While a work-from-home approach provides staff with great benefits to work/life balance, meeting fatigue is still a concern. Studies show that 83% of employees spend up to one-third of their work week in video meetings, and 55% say they have more meetings now than they did working entirely in-office. Though crucial to team communication, meetings throughout the day can cause distractions and lead to productivity loss.
To provide a sustainable solution to meeting fatigue, Kite Hill implemented a workday without required meetings, dubbed “Focus Fridays.” Fridays at this PR agency are full of un-interrupted, dedicated time to finish up the week’s assignments before the weekend. Focus Fridays are designed to ensure that employees are not only able to meet their weekly goals, but also enjoy their weekend away from the office. Balance is a core value at this PR agency, one that is consistently upheld through the flexibility and agility of the company.
Benefits that make a difference
Through excellent benefits including a work-from-anywhere approach, flexible vacation policy, and access to resources like Teladoc Virtual Health and TalkSpace Online Mental Health Therapy, Kite Hill PR truly demonstrates care and compassion for the well-being of employees. Mental health is openly discussed and all are encouraged to take advantage of the PTO policy, not just for vacations or sick days, but also when we are in need of a mental health break. The agency prioritizes mental health and well-being above all else.
In my first month as an intern at Kite Hill PR, it’s become increasingly clear that this is truly a people-first agency and CEO Tiffany Guarnaccia walks the walk for her employees. Kite Hill PR ensures employee satisfaction not just in our work but prioritizes each employee’s personal needs by providing opportunities and resources to maintain a healthy work-life relationship and excellent benefits that aid in overall wellness. It’s refreshing to see this type of concern for employees at work, as it is a necessary factor in a successful agency. May more organizations follow suit and make the changes and efforts necessary to make a difference in the lives of their teams.
- Paola Bulo Blanco, Intern