ManLeigh Corporate

Where can we help local businesses…

Jim is an area manager who oversees 20 stores in the North of England. It’s a stressful job that involves driving a lot of miles, dealing with store managers and his boss, and trying to maintain a work/ family balance.

Jim is pretty much a black and white character who says what he thinks, respected and feared, and, in some cases, hated by all those who meet him. Some would say he can be his own worst enemy at times, but he gets results and keeps everyone in line.

Then, gradually, over some time, these character traits become more exaggerated and less productive; Jim becomes more aggressive, less understanding towards work colleagues, and even unpredictable to those who thought they knew him well, some have even noticed the smell of alcohol on Jim’s breath at 10 in the morning but because they see Jim as a friend or think it’s above their pay grade they’re reluctant or frighten to take action.

The pressure has been mounting up for Jim for years now into his second marriage, and the ex has now moved miles away, making it harder to see his children at the best of times, adding to his anxiety levels bills to pay cost of living on the increase and the stresses and strains at work. He has started to drink more than ever, hiding bottles in his office to disguise them as what looks like water in a water bottle, but in truth, the man is now an alcoholic.

Finally, one day, somebody approaches management, explaining they have known Jim for many years and are genuinely concerned for him.

So, what does the manager or company do next?

Let HR take care of it, with the risk of losing the employee completely or sending them over the edge

Manager-to-manager chat may work or could backfire, resulting in the above

A friendly chat over a brew may at least let Jim know he is being noticed, but with no further follow-up or action taken, Jim will continue to live in denial

Or you could ask ManLeigh to help. We have so much experience in dealing with men who are suffering or who have suffered from so many issues

The first stage would be the company to set up a meeting now ManLeigh can be present if this helps in this case with Jim probably gently explaining that it’s been noticed that Jim is struggling at this moment in time and may need some help and support, so they have contacted ManLeigh to have a confidential but relaxed chat In.

In this case, Jim is feeling angry and frustrated, but if it keeps his boss happy, he is willing to run with it, thinking he will hear what ManLeigh has to say and get the hell out of there as quickly as pos

At the meeting, Jim understands the meeting is confidential, and within minutes, he crumbles and is in tears, angry, apologetic, frightened, and has so many questions, like What am I going to do now? Will I lose my Job? Even feels he should resign as he has lost all his confidence and credibility we can explain that is not the case but he does need help we can direct him to the right agencies even help him to attend the first few and then there is the back up of ManLeigh outreach and hub where Jim can meet up with others who have been where he is get that peer to peer to support and the back up as he get himself sober. And we offer community support, not all men like attending men’s groups, so we can meet up at the hub privately if that can help in Jim’s recovery

What does the company get
They get to keep Jim because they like him; he is good at his job

Saving time and money on recruitment, interviewing, and training as they restructure the staff, and it gets noticed that this is a company that goes that extra mile for its employees, which future potential candidates would look for in a company, and get to see.

Also, placing Jim in front of HR is like taking a sledgehammer to a peanut

Jim is still employed; he can still be an active, productive employee and will use his own experience as a valuable asset to the company, and he will remember what the company did for him in the way of supporting him

What does ManLeigh get out of this?
Yes, the satisfaction of doing what we do best: supporting and helping men in need, and, in this case, before they deteriorate  further

All we ask is a donation towards our work from the company that we work with on the understanding that there are no guarantees that we will succeed, but we will do our utmost best to help and support any individual that comes our way.