New initiative includes pilot programme to safeguard employees' mental health
Hong Kong-based New World Development Co will be introducing first responders for mental health within the organisation as part of its latest initiatives to protect employee wellbeing, according to reports.
They will be introduced early this year, and will be done on a voluntary basis, Bloomberg reported.
Michael Long, head of sustainability at New World Development Co, told the news outlet that these first responders should ideally be from different departments and levels.
They will be mandated to obtain more advanced understanding of mental health issues through a two-day training, according to Long, and are also expected to direct employees to resources in case they need support.
The initiative is part of the conglomerate's recently announced mental health initiative for employees, Bloomberg reported.
Long said the initiative includes a mental health support pilot program that has courses on how to identify colleagues in need and addressing mental health for managers and senior executives.
Data from the pilot programme will then be used for a longer-term strategy, according to the report.
Long said the initiatives come as personal and professional lives have become "so intertwined over the last few years with the pandemic."
"People leaders in most companies over the last three years have learned that people's private lives and their personal mental health and wellbeing do have material impacts on how the person operates, engages and performs at work," the director said as quoted by Bloomberg.
In 2022, New World Group also piloted a 4.5-day work week from July to September for its New World Development, K11, and NWS Corporate Office.
The programme, dubbed as "Summer Fridays," enable eligible employees to enjoy a half-day leave every Friday without any cut in salary. They may also choose to work remotely one day per week, according to New World Group.
Employees that were ineligible for the program due to the nature of their work were also granted alternative flexible work arrangements to help them "achieve work-life balance."
"The Group hopes that the measures will improve employee wellness so that they will be better motivated at work and perform efficiently, creating a win-win situation," New World Group previously said.
As per its website, New World Group also has a variety of physical and virtual wellness and recreational events to look after its employee well-being.
These programmes include fitness classes, sporting competitions, mindfulness classes, as well as seminars on wellness topics.
"Our employees are our valuable assets and their health and well-being always come first. We promote workplace wellness by providing physical and virtual programmes for employees," New World Group said on the website.
These initiatives come as the world grapples with a mental health crisis that was exacerbated by the pandemic and its continuing impact.
An AXA insurance survey last year revealed that only one in 10 of Hong Kong's Gen Z workforce said their mental health is "flourishing."
The same report also revealed that 67% of the respondents had suffered from moderate to extreme stress levels, thanks to the so-called "always on" culture, technology addition, and obsession on social media.
