At DAVIDsTEA, we understand that mental health is health. And this year for Mental Health Week, we’re focusing on how we get real.
To us, getting real means taking a people-first approach where our employees feel inspired, empowered and equipped to speak openly about mental health and contribute suggestions on how we can do better.
We support our employees.
We encourage our teams to take time off with our vacation, personal and wellness days. We provide a flexible hybrid work environment for our head office team with not only the option to work from home some days, but to also be present for important moments in their lives, like school events, family gatherings, or personal appointments without the stress.
“I am personally a big proponent of mental health awareness and support in the workplace. We implemented a Mental Illness at Work Policy in 2018, and a portion of our HR team is Mental Health First Aid certified. To support all aspects of mental and physical wellness, in early 2020 we launched 3 extra days off called “Wellness Days”—these allow employees additional paid time off for anything that helps them proactively maintain their mental and physical wellness such as rest, family time, additional vacation, and more. Plus, for any employee who needs it, we have an Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)—a free, confidential counselling service for employees with personal issues that affect their work performance, even if the issues aren’t caused by workplace matters. While I’m proud to share what we’ve done so far, I’m even prouder to continue our journey supporting our team’s mental health.”
—Carolyn, Head of HR at DAVIDsTEA
Our Diversity & Inclusion Committee has also been instrumental in recommending and implementing key initiatives to support our employees, including adding pronouns to email signatures so that we keep gender-specific language in mind. We not only want to create and maintain a workplace that celebrates diversity and equality, but ultimately foster a place where people feel they belong.
We stand for gender equality.
Over 75% of our workforce is made up of people who identify as women. Our leadership team is 62% women, and we are led by a woman, who is the CEO & CBO of DAVIDsTEA. In fact, we were recently named one of the “Best Places Managed by Women” by Great Place to Work® Canada.
We care for our community.
Our communitea means everything to us. We make it our goal to get to know fellow tea lovers by welcoming and appreciating people from all walks of life. From where we operate to where we source, we prioritize mental wellness, equality, diversity and inclusion, family, sustainability and community involvement.
We collaborate with partners who make mental health support accessible.
Mamas for Mamas:
We partnered with this national charitable organization to give back. They help provide emergency support to moms and caregivers in crisis through Mental Health & Wellness programs, as well as their Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support and Whole Mama Wellness Programs. Listen to our podcast episode with founder Shannon Christensen to learn more about their amazing work.
*Until Mother’s Day on May 8, 10% proceeds from Organic Mother’s Little Helper will be donated. You can also find us in their Karma Markets all year long!
Vent Over Tea:
A free and confidential active listening service that promotes mental wellness and human connection. Community members can book a session in English or French with a trained empathetic listener who can offer their undivided attention without judgement.
For our 13th anniversary in 2021, we donated 13% of all sales from that day, helping them grow their team and expand their reach!
BetterSleep:
An app that provides their users with a personalized sleep experience for more restful nights and wakeful days. With soothing sounds, music and bedtime stories, they offer the ultimate toolkit for improved relaxation and sleep.
We partnered with them to bring you little moments of peace throughout your day. Check out our tea and soundscape pairings or listen to “A Dream of Tea,” a 20-minute bedtime story all about our tea Organic Serenity Now.
With every passing day, we’re learning and evolving so that we can continue to do better.
