Plan Ahead builds a new standard for employee wellbeing

About Plan Ahead

Plan Ahead, a forward-thinking construction planning consultancy, is committed to delivering excellence for their clients. As part of this commitment, they recognise the importance of employee wellbeing in driving productivity and fostering a positive workplace culture. Because of their ongoing commitment to supporting their team, the Plan Ahead team sought to enhance their approach to mental health and safety, ensuring employees felt supported both at work and beyond. By partnering with Sonder, Plan Ahead has taken a proactive approach to create a culture of care.

The challenge

While Plan Ahead had existing mental health and wellbeing initiatives, they saw an opportunity to provide even more accessible and proactive support. Some employees were hesitant to reach out to traditional resources like Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs), and the company wanted to ensure that everyone felt comfortable seeking help when needed. Additionally, with employees sometimes working late or commuting long distances, personal safety was a key concern that the company aimed to address.

The company’s previous Employee Assistance Program (EAP) didn’t help much either. It had limited support and wasn’t being used. Recognising the need for a more effective solution, Plan Ahead sought a proactive, 24/7 support system, one that would not only improve employee wellbeing but also help maintain productivity by ensuring employees could access support without disrupting their focus on main tasks.

Addressing these challenges could help Plan Ahead create a more supportive, productive workplace for everyone.

The solution

Proactive and stigma-free mental health support: 

Sonder makes it easy for employees to get mental health support without any stigma. With a variety of accessible options, more employees feel comfortable reaching out, which increases engagement and overall wellbeing.

24/7 preventative support:

By offering support around the clock, Sonder shows employees and their families that they care. This not only sends a positive message but also helps foster a culture of care that benefits everyone.

Holistic wellbeing support: 

Sonder’s solutions helped strengthen internal processes, making life easier for managers and taking some of the load off HR teams. This means better support across the board and smoother operations overall.

Enhanced safety measures: 

With access to personal safety support, employees, especially those working late or commuting long distances, feel much more reassured. Knowing they’ve got help if they need it adds peace of mind and helps boost morale.

The results

The partnership with Sonder has brought significant improvements to Plan Ahead’s employee wellbeing approach. With stigma-free mental health support, employees are more productive and engaged, while turnover and recruitment costs have dropped.

Sonder’s 24/7 support has boosted morale, making employees feel valued and secure. One example is when an employee, worried about their child’s rash, was able to quickly get reassurance via the Sonder app instead of heading to A&E, saving time and reducing stress. Another saw Sonder’s proactive safety notice warn a member of bad weather, enabling them to re-arrange their plans of playing golf to organising something more suitable on their day off.

Overall, the collaboration has helped Plan Ahead create a healthier, more engaged workforce, setting a new standard for wellbeing in the construction industry.