This week (5 February 2026) was Time to Talk Day – HSE posted a reminder to make mental health a regular part of workplace discussions. The day is gone, but the job remains and remains strog where so much of our workforce is alone in the van all day.

Time to Talk Day is a chance to take the first step in breaking down barriers around mental health at work. Whether it’s a quick check-in at the sortation load or a more in-depth conversation, listening and understanding how colleagues are feeling can help support wellbeing and prevent work-related stress.

HSE’s Working Minds campaign provides practical tools and guidance to help employers, managers, and workers prevent and reduce work-related stress.

One key approach is the Working Minds '5 Rs':

• reach out and ask a colleague how they’re actually doing, then listen – ‘Talk routes’
• recognise when someone seems off, and gently check in
• reflect on what’s working – avoiding congestion directions.
• make it routine, not just a reaction to crisis

Find out more: Next steps……….

• access the HSE free Working Minds online learning
• for management teams, learn about training course NEBOSH HSE certificate in managing stress at work, which is available both online and in-person