THERE IS ONE
phrase employees of helicopter
transportation company Bristow Group have grown
accustomed to hearing – R U OK?
Bristow promotes mental health awareness among its
predominantly male workforce of engineers, pilots and
operational staff who work in remote locations and other
safety critical environments, with the annual R U OK? Day
every September.
The R U OK? organisation encourages Australians to
regularly check on the wellbeing of friends, relatives and
colleagues. Bristow Group first supported the cause in 2011
by sponsoring the Afield Program which develops resources
targeting FIFO and DIDO workers.
Bristow human resources manager Keir Williams says the
program offers an opportunity to highlight support services
available and equip their staff with tools to confidentially
engage in conversation with each other.
“Raising awareness and breaking down the stigma
attached to mental health illnesses has given Bristow staff the
confidence to share personal stories with their workmates,
enabling closer relationships within the workforce and
increasing understanding of the needs of some employees,”
says Williams.
Bristow Group’s Employee Assistance Program has seen an
increase in usage, demonstrating that the message is resonating
with the workforce in a positive and practical way.
RP
BRISTOW EMPLOYEES
ask R U OK?
“It’s simply a fact of life for many
people, particularly in a big country such
as ours where many of the jobs happen to
be located in remote areas.”
MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE
Working in middle management for Mount
Gibson Iron, Richard Kirkup oversees the
wellbeing of around 50 staff onsite in the
far north Kimberley. He also undertakes a
FIFO roster of 12 days on, nine days off.
Like the Tamati family, he enjoys the
FIFO lifestyle for its many benefits but
believes individuals need to carefully
consider their choice before diving
headfirst into the industry.
“I get the best of both worlds. I live in
Perth and spend quality time with family
and friends, then I get out of the city
and back to work which I enjoy because
my job challenges me,” Kirkup says.
“And of course the money is
fantastic. I know a lot of young people
who have been able to set themselves
up early in life.
“But FIFO is a choice and it’s not
for everyone. Each individual needs to
figure out what working situation is best
for them and their family.”
Kirkup sums it up well when he says
the issue of mental wellbeing across
all Australian industries is evolving
and will require ongoing attention and
improvements in workplace strategies.
“We have come from a time when 20
or 30 years ago the image of the industry
was of a hardcore miner who just got in
and got the job done,” he explains.
“But there is a new generation of
people, a lot of whom are fresh out of
their trade school or university and come
into the job without a lot of life skills.
“I believe that supporting workers
and their families is becoming more
recognised within the industry and the
more awareness we can create about the
lifestyle – both the benefits and challenges
– the better it will be for all.”
RP
»
FIFO worker Richard
Kirkup says the
lifestyle gives him the
best of both worlds
Bristow Group employees with the R U OK? Foundation bus
SUMMER 2014-15 RESOURCE
PEOPLE
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OHS & WELLBEING
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