UOB enhances mental wellness program

UOB last week has enhanced the bank’s mental wellness program to complement their permanent hybrid work model. The move is aligned with the organisation’s strategy to keep employees engaged and connected with each other while working remotely, said Dean Tong, head of group HR at UOB. What’s more, the bank understands that managing mental wellness is vital to ensure staff thrive in the ‘future of hybrid work’.

“With COVID-19 permanently transforming the way we work, it is even more important to prioritise our people’s well-being to minimise their risk of stress or burnout as they cope with changing work patterns and lifestyles,” Tong said.

“Since the onset of the pandemic, we have stepped up our efforts to ensure that our people stay productive and connected to their support networks at work regardless of where they are. These include offering virtual courses on building mental resilience, access to dedicated helplines and engaging our colleagues through regular virtual townhalls.”

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Holistic mental wellness strategy

The enhanced wellness program aims to empower employees to take charge of their well-being and develop empathy for their colleagues. One initiative includes its UOB Mental Wellness Days. These will take place every Friday until the end of 2021 and offer staff the opportunity to participate in a range of virtual activities.

“It heartens us to see that our people are taking steps to care for their mental health with some of the virtual activities lined up for ‘UOB Mental Wellness Days’ from June to July oversubscribed by 110%,” Tong said.

The initiative will focus on things like enabling mindfulness and encouraging a sense of self-awareness around the individual’s mental health. This is crucial given that stress and anxiety can manifest in different ways for everyone and for multiple reasons, including challenges at home, difficulty managing the ‘always on’ mentality, as well as feelings of isolation and burnout.

The virtual workshops will be led by certified psychologists and counsellors and complement UOB’s existing library of more than 100 courses and 400 videos on mental health and resilience. The bank is also hosting sessions for managers and leaders to learn how to recognise signs of mental distress in their teams and support peers accordingly.

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All in all, employees can look forward to a variety of virtual group classes spanning across fitness, positive psychology, nutrition, ergonomics, and craft to help them maintain their overall wellness. The calendar of events were designed in collaboration with employees, who can give feedback and provide direct input via the bank’s social intranet. “We will continue to offer a range of interesting activities focusing on holistic wellness every Friday until the rest of the year for all colleagues to pursue better mental and physical health,” Tong said.

UOB’s enhanced mental wellness program also continues to offer dedicated hotlines for employees who need to seek advice or emotional support from mental health professionals. Those who require psychiatric treatment are covered by the bank’s health insurance of up to $3,000 per annum as well as through CARE, which is a wellness benefits program.