Keeping well

A member of the national disability steering group and the Finance disability network, Chairman’s Awards finalist Marianne Brown has a very personal insight into some of the health and wellbeing challenges facing her colleagues across Royal Mail.

A fibromyalgia sufferer, as a PPM team manager in the project management office at Future Walk, Chesterfield, Marianne has recently returned to work following a round of surgery on her back.

Team Leader of the Year finalist Marianne says that the business has been supportive throughout her illness. And she’s keen to ensure that the support she has received at Chesterfield is replicated across Royal Mail.

An excellent champion of Royal Mail’s values in supporting those with health concerns or disabilities in the workplace, Marianne goes above and beyond to improve conditions for everyone.

She says the key issues facing those with disabilities or other health issues in the business are ‘communication and training.’

‘There are pockets of areas in the country that have really good results when it comes to dealing with these issues,’ she says. ‘But we could do much more to train our people and our managers when it comes to approaching disabilities – at the moment sometimes people can feel that nobody cares.’

Her own experience is, she says, key when it comes to understanding the needs of others. And as a supportive team leader herself, she relies on the support of others to be able to give that support.

‘It’s difficult to juggle work and everything – cooking, cleaning, walking, getting dressed – I do struggle with those things,’ she says. ‘But my boss has been very supportive. And it is getting better.’

The Chairman’s Awards for Excellence is set to take place in London on 18 October. Winners will be announced on the day.