Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to start a conversation and raise awareness about mental health issues.

Like physical health, everyone has mental health, which is an overall state of emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. The quality of our mental health can change over time due to life experiences.

Even though we tend to value health and talk about it openly, mental health is often excluded from the conversation due to negative attitudes or beliefs about people with mental health issues. At any given time, many of us are struggling with a mental health issue like a mental illness, which is a condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. According to the World Health Organization, approximately one billion people are living with a mental illness—that’s 1 in every 8 people.

By talking about mental health, we can help create a culture where people feel comfortable with sharing their stories, finding support, and helping others. Throughout the month of May, we’ll share some resources and tips for talking about and improving mental health.

References

Barnes, Carlin, and Marketa Wills. “The Importance of Mental Health Awareness Month.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, LLC, 14 May 2021, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mental-illness-in-america/202105/the-importance-mental-health-awareness-month.

How to Improve Mental Health. (n.d.). MedlinePlus. Retrieved April 11, 2022, from https://medlineplus.gov/howtoimprovementalhealth.html.

Mayo Clinic Staff. “Mental Illness.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 13 Dec. 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968.

“Nearly One Billion People Have a Mental Disorder: WHO.” UN News, United Nations, 17 June 2022, https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/06/1120682.

L&P Sustainability: Forestry

At L&P, we are committed to the responsible use of raw materials, which includes the wood we use in our various bedding products.

In 2022, our U.S. Spring business’s spend with Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®)-certified sources increased by approximately 4% to 76%, compared to 2021. We are also increasing the use of FSC®-certified wood products in our Work Furniture business to help our customers achieve their sustainability goals. 

Read more about our sustainability efforts here: Leggett & Platt 2023 Sustainability Report

L&P Sustainability: Flooring Products

At L&P, our businesses are building sustainability into product development processes and designing products for improved durability, recovery, and recycling at end of life. 

Our Flooring Products business manufactures carpet underlay products that make a direct contribution towards LEED green building certification for our customers. All products can be 100% recycled at the end of their useful life and exceed the CRI Green Label Plus test program. Green Label Plus is an independent testing program that identifies carpet, adhesive, and cushion products with very low volatile organic compounds emissions to help improve indoor air quality and helps our customers achieve LEED green building certification. 

Read more about our sustainability efforts here: Leggett & Platt 2023 Sustainability Report

Happy Administrative Professionals Day!

April 26 is Administrative Professionals Day, and we want to say thank you to the amazing administrative professionals at L&P. You do so much for us—you keep us connected and organized, ensure we’re paid, and much more. We admire and appreciate you!

In honor of Administrative Professionals Day, we invited some of our employees to share what they enjoy most about what they do at L&P. Check out what they shared below.


Amy Robinett
Senior Fixed Asset Accounting Clerk

The best aspect of my job has always been the people I work with. 

Throughout my years at Leggett, I have cultivated and fostered many friendships. These relationships have helped me develop better communication skills and aided me in my commitment to do my best for the company.


Anjali Saini
Human Resources Assistant

One of the most enjoyable aspects of being an administrative professional at L&P is the ability to collaborate with others. People from all levels in the organization come to me for help with their various needs in the office.

No two days are the same, and every day has a new challenge. I enjoy the diversity of tasks and the unexpected challenges, as they make my days very interesting. In a Human Resources role, I learn a little bit of everything—whether I’m learning from my manager, from collaborating with other assistants, or by solving problems and tackling projects. I enjoy being able to jump in to support the company in any way I can.


Carla Oliveira
Customer Service Assistant

A cada oportunidade novos conhecimentos, a cada desafio uma nova vitória. É disso que gosto em fazer parte do administrativo da Leggett, em cada setor que já tive o prazer de trabalhar percebo meu desenvolvimento e me sinto profissionalmente reconhecida. Feliz por ter a oportunidade de estar aqui, feliz por fazer parte do time de vendas e feliz por fazer parte dessa família top que é a Leggett Brasil. 

English Translation: Every opportunity brings new knowledge, and every challenge is a new victory. That’s why I like to be an L&P administrative professional. In every sector I’ve had the pleasure of working in, I’ve noticed my development and feel professionally recognized. I’m happy to have the opportunity to be here, happy to be part of the sales team, and happy to be part of this top family that is Leggett Brazil.


Catherine Lovell
HR & Payroll Officer

I have worked at the Ammanford, UK, branch for 2 years, and I can honestly say it has been a great experience.

At Leggett & Platt, I have felt supported and encouraged within my role by my manager, Clare Rees, and given opportunities to develop my skill set, which is very important to me. Working with a strong and supportive team in a progressive culture makes coming to work a pleasure. I am looking forward to developing my role further at L&P.


Cheryl Jones
Senior Audit Coordinator

What I enjoy most about being an administrative professional at L&P is my department and the people I get to work with every day. I honestly work with some of the best people in Internal Audit. We are close to each other and get together at and outside of work. It feels like a big family. They know that, whatever they need, I am going to do what I can to help them. Sometimes, it feels like I have 28 extra kids, and you know you would do anything for your kids.

That is reciprocated tenfold, as they go out of their way to show me love and appreciation each day. Last year for my 35th anniversary with L&P, current and previous coworkers arranged for me to be showered with love and appreciation for the 35 days leading up to my anniversary. I can’t even begin to share how many ways they’ve showed their appreciation throughout the years, and I honestly can’t imagine working in any other department. 


Kelly Garant
Engineering Assistant

As an administrator in the automotive industry, I enjoy being in an important and supportive role that allows me to work with people at all levels in the organization. I also really enjoy how my position offers a lot of variety—one day is rarely the same as the next.

My mantra is fostering a fun, friendly, and positive work atmosphere, as well as advocating for teamwork and team spirit.


Kelly Taylor
Sr. Credit Maintenance Support Clerk

I truly love working at Leggett & Platt. It’s a great forward-thinking company, and the people I work with are the best part. It’s a very comfortable, yet professional, environment.

We all work together as a team to provide support to our credit management, branch locations, and customers. I love having a variety of tasks that make each day different. 


Nicoleta Cretu
Management Assistant

As an administrative professional at L&P, I enjoy helping others. Many times, I’m the first point of contact for my colleagues, providing support to help solve their problems.

In my 12 years at L&P, I’ve taken on an increasing number of roles and responsibilities at the request of management, and I’ve carried out these duties to the best of my abilities. This enabled me to contribute to the company’s growth and my personal development.

My position comes with evolving challenges, which I see as opportunities for learning and growth. I enjoy taking on new tasks that challenge me to use my skills in new ways or to develop new ones. When a new challenge arises, I am eager to find the best solution for everyone.


Teresa Robertson
Short Term Disability Claims Administrator

I enjoy the opportunity to meet and assist employees at Corporate and at branches throughout the United States. 

I especially enjoy having a job which gives me the opportunity to work in an environment that feels like family. I am blessed that work relationships have turned into friendships that I will keep long past my career at L&P.

Investing in Our L&P Communities: Trinity River Waterwheels Initiative

Leggett & Platt believes in supporting the communities where we live and work. With that goal at heart, L&P is sponsoring the Trinity River Waterwheels Initiative in Fort Worth, Texas.

This initiative seeks to install large, solar-powered litter capture devices, or “waterwheels,” in the Trinity River. Waterwheels are a proven, sustainable, lower-cost technology to clean waterways. A waterwheel can remove up to 50,000 pounds of litter per day – about the size of two and a half garbage trucks. Removing the waste protects the water quality, improves the aesthetic and usability of the river, and improves the aquatic ecosystem for fish and wildlife.

“The Trinity River provides 710 miles of habitat, drinking water, tourism, and recreation,” said Juli Ragland, Environmental Program Manager for the City of Fort Worth. “The impact of this project will reach beyond Fort Worth and the metroplex and provide a cleaner river to the Gulf of Mexico.”

Mr. Trash Wheel, the first waterwheel created in Baltimore, Maryland.

The Trinity River Waterwheels initiative aligns with our L&P commitment to being good stewards of the environment and our company’s value of doing great work together.

“We are excited to be part of the solution to reduce litter in the City of Fort Worth through our support of the Trinity River Waterwheels Initiative,” said Tamara Cook, L&P’s Sustainability Director. “The Waterwheels will benefit the Fort Worth community and communities beyond by collecting trash and litter from the Trinity River.”

The Waterwheels Initiative also aligns with our commitment to being good partners in the communities where we operate. Leggett has produced carpet padding in the Fort Worth area for over 50 years and works hard to create sustainable solutions with our products. In our Flooring business, we manufacture carpet cushion products that are certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Green Label Plus and help customers achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification. Each year, we incorporate several hundred million pounds of recycled urethane foam in our production of bonded carpet cushion.

“Supporting the Waterwheels initiative and recycling foam to make new carpet cushion products are excellent examples of how L&P is supporting positive environmental impacts in the Fort Worth community,” concludes Tamara.

To learn more about the Trinity River Waterwheels Initiative and follow along as they plan construction for the first Waterwheel in Fort Worth, visit their website. And to learn more about our Environmental, Social, and Governance efforts, visit www.leggett.com/sustainability.

Happy Earth Day!

April 22 is Earth Day — a day for us to invest in our future by investing in our planet.

While we come from many cultures, Earth Day reminds us of our shared responsibility and commitment to care for our mutual home. Together, we can draw inspiration from one another to care for the environment and take action to promote a sustainable future for everyone, everywhere.

L&P Careers: Redesigned with You in Mind

We’re excited to share our redesigned Leggett & Platt careers website! L&P Careers is a place to learn about opportunities to grow your career at Leggett and what it’s like to be part of our team. Check it out!

You can also sign up for job alerts and stay informed of every opportunity at L&P. Click on “How to Sign Up for Job Alerts” on the main page.

Happy Retirement, Chuck!

After 48 years of dedicated service to L&P, please join us in extending best wishes to Chuck Denisio on his retirement!

Chuck’s Career at L&P

Chuck started his career with Leggett & Platt in Mason, Ohio, as a Box Spring Nailer and quickly became the Quality Manager/Safety Director in 1976. In 1983, he was promoted to Plant Superintendent after moving to the Edison, New Jersey, facility. When that facility closed in 1984, he had the opportunity to move to Winchester, Kentucky, as the Quality Manager. During his tenure in Winchester, Chuck was also a Plant Superintendent and an Operations Manager before becoming Branch Manager in 2009. He has led the Winchester team in achieving seven Best in Class Awards, several Governor’s Safety and Health Awards, and consistently meeting branch goals.

Recently, Chuck received the title of Kentucky Colonel—the highest title of honor awarded by the Governor of Kentucky—for helping people affected by the floods of eastern Kentucky during the summer of 2022. Chuck and his teams donated more than 1,500 beds and other supplies to help bring relief to those who were affected.

Looking Back

We asked Chuck to share about his favorite memories and what he enjoyed doing the most at L&P:

My favorite memories are watching the company evolve over the years and being a part of the changes that made our company successful. I am proud that we grew from small plant quality circles to a world-class system of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.

I enjoyed working for a company that gave me opportunities at every stage of my career. Helping others succeed in their careers was also very rewarding.

Looking Forward

After he retires, Chuck plans to stay busy with photography, exercising, and volunteering in his community and church.

We wish you all the best, Chuck!

2023 Sustainability Report

At L&P, our mission is to build businesses and a culture that are sustainable for generations to come.

We recently published our 2023 Sustainability Report, which provides information about our approach to and performance on the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters that are most important to our business. As we move through 2023, our key ESG initiatives include:

  • Developing and communicating ESG goals, including climate-related targets.
  • Establishing a roadmap of actions that will support us in meeting our ESG goals and targets.
  • Obtaining third-party limited assurance of our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data and publicly reporting our data.
  • Advancing our ID&E efforts as outlined in more detail in our report.
  • Building upon our management systems to improve data collection and contribute to broader companywide sustainability advancements.
  • Continuing to enhance our supplier assessment process, including a heightened emphasis on labor and social standards and cybersecurity controls.
  • Maintaining our commitment to transparency and continuing to share our corporate sustainability approach and performance.

Thank you for your support as we continue to build and report on our sustainable practices. Read our full Sustainability Report here: 2023 Sustainability Report

L&P Supports Mission of Lafayette House at Annual Fundraiser

Recently, a group of L&P employees attended Ooh-la Lafayette, the annual fundraiser for the Lafayette House of Joplin, Missouri. The Lafayette House is a center that provides safety and healing to those suffering from domestic violence, sexual assault, and substance abuse disorders. Annually, the Lafayette House serves more than 1,000 residents of Southwest Missouri, over half of which are seeking refuge from domestic violence.

Highlights of the evening included a purse auction, Versace raffle items, a fashion show spotlighting local boutiques, and an impactful video featuring survivor stories from those who have benefited from the shelter’s services.

“There were some tears shed as we heard from a woman who had to go to court 78 times to seek protection from her husband,” said Tammy Trent, Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer. Tammy also serves on the Board of the Lafayette House. “This woman used her struggle to educate lawmakers in Missouri on the importance of Lifetime Protection Orders.”

“It was an honor to represent L&P at this event and to be a small part of helping the Lafayette House empower their clients,” Tammy concluded.

Thank you to all of our L&P employees who attended Ooh-la Lafayette and support the mission of the Lafayette House!