WELFARE HIGHLIGHTS

We have dedicated our ONEderful Monday to stress management and ways to overcome it. At UniCredit we all know that no matter how anxious you feel, help is always at your disposal. Find out more about some initiatives set up to support our people in this challenging time and beyond.

In Italy, “the new normal” advice and free phone service

To deal with the unprecedented times we are living in – “the new normal” – our Welfare team recently launched a programme to support colleagues with tips to improve their psycho-physical wellbeing in their personal and professional lives. UniCredit employees can access them here.

Moreover, a free phone service is also available to offer our colleagues psychological support from an emotional perspective. The service, which was in place already before the crisis, has been enhanced to accommodate new requests and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In Germany, everyday life-tips, exercise videos and interactive challenges.

In collaboration with BKK Mobil Oil, an online tool titled “Better Home Office” provides access to articles, videos and expert interviews designed to foster a stress-free new working environment. The program brings together a variety of different building blocks into a coherent overall system, offering valuable everyday life–hacks, exercise videos and interactive challenges for a more productive day at work. Also, thanks to HVB Social Counselling Service, mental health services are available that offer information about onset psychological symptoms. The tips include special features on home office working and everyday life via the Medical Service Hotline.

In Austria, psychological consultations and a meditation app.

IBG Health Center offers psychological consultations by phone or video whereby employees and managers can turn to psychologists for help with professional or personal struggles. In addition, colleagues also have access to a telephone consultation hotline and crisis intervention. 

Additionally, we promote a mindfulness and meditation app called eleMental, developed by Dr. Bardia Monshi, who is a renowned psychologist, resilience and mental trainer, author on the theme “positive thinking is not enough” and a long-standing cooperation partner of Bank Austria. UCBA employees have the opportunity to try the app until September for free and for those who wish to continue using it, UCBA will cover the costs for an extension until the end of the year.

In Serbia complete clinical examination.

Our private health insurance provider offers all employees a complete clinical examination should they carry Covid-19 symptoms or are Covid-19 positive, including: lung X-ray, MRI, scanner, laboratory analysis. Thanks to the testing availability, colleagues can check themselves and thus reduce anxiety by being sure that they haven’t suffered other side effects due to Covid-19.

In Slovenija, free psychologist consultations.

UniCredit Banka Slovenija introduced for consultations with psychologist free of charge. This is part of family-friendly measures introduced as the bank holds the Family Friendly Company certificate. To support colleagues that have faced challenging work and personal situations during the Covid-19 crisis we have actively promoted free talks and increased the number of hours each employee could use. 

In Russia, remote healthcare marathon.

The wellbeing team launched UniCredit Bank Health Challenge, an initiative for all employees. The health challenge is a 4-week remote healthcare marathon covering four areas, including psychical activity, sleep, nutrition, and stress management.

In additional, a free and anonymous psychological helpline for employees is available to give recommendations on for example how to help children cope with self-isolation during Covid-19, tips on how to reduce anxiety while self-isolating at home and webinars on psychological wellbeing were offered.

In Bulgaria, online physical exercises for the whole body.

We launched initiatives encouraging our colleagues to take part in at-home, physical exercises to relax different parts of the body. 

Moreover, the HQ initiative was created to help colleagues working at their desks in the HQ buildings. The initiative encouraged employees to get to their desks using the stairs instead of the elevator as a safer and healthier alternative. We called the campaign “5 reasons to choose the stairs instead of the elevator,” promoting it using stickers in the stairs along with a blog. Each sticker has a motivating text like, “the way to the top is stairs to success: climb them!”, ”make the first step – it’s easy: use the stairs!”, “final meters to the top: don’t give up!” or “the difficulties are temporary: climb up!” 

In Hungary, mindfulness practices.

The HR Team introduced the initiative Learning tip of the week to communicate and bring learning advice, videos and relevant content on a weekly basis.  In order to achieve a work-life balance, people are invited to follow some mindfulness practices to slow down and better manage their time.  Mindfulness helps you be more effective in today’s busy world. It reduces stress, increases focus, and improves your ability to deal with challenges, both at work and home. 

In Croatia, motivational videos and engaging internal campaigns.

During these uncertain times of Covid-19 and the strongest earthquake in the last 140 years in northern Croatia, Zaba’s top management shared motivational video messages on the local Intranet and messages through the mobile banking application. 

A new channel for employees providing psychological assistance via calls and e-mails was introduced, along with extraordinary financial support to those affected by COVID-19 or the recent earthquake, and m-doctor services that are free-of-charge, offering psychological help for all employees. 

Tips for leading virtual teams were introduced and the importance of relaxation and recreation via the intranet continuously promoted, as well as e-learning/educational videos on LinkedIn for achieving positive change and stress management.

A new welfare program was promoted – with extended benefits for employees and their families, specifically focusing on wellbeing.

Zaba conducted a very successful and engaging internal campaign, Fight against COVID-19, promoting virtual Kids days – creative storytelling events for employees’ children.