Employee experience All maxed out
Even before the pandemic, banking was famously stressful. Since 2020, the strain has been ramped up even further, with remote working and lockdowns just two of the challenges employees now face. Given a career in banking takes a heavy toll on mental health even in normal conditions, things are far from easy. Jim Banks talks to Alison Unsted, CEO of the City Mental Health Alliance, as well as the former industry senior executive, about how HR teams are supporting staff, the importance of openness from top executives – and whether fundamental reforms to working hours and staff responsibilities are needed.
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efore the pandemic, the banking sector’s priority was maximising productivity and driving profit. Fast forward two years, and the emphasis is shifting towards keeping employees fit to work. In a culture that is still perceived as macho and staffed by workaholics, any additional stress can tip people over the edge. The pandemic has been challenging for everyone, of course, but for those working in high- intensity industries like banking, it has lifted the curtain on a problem that was once all too well hidden. “The pandemic has helped to shift the weight of understanding and responsibility of well-being from the individual to the business,” says Alison Unsted, CEO of the City Mental Health Alliance (CMHA) UK.
“As a result, the well-being of colleagues is now understood as a critical driver of an organisation’s ability to operate effectively.”
“The impact of the pandemic on mental health is still being felt – there was a global crisis before the pandemic and the pandemic has led to a further 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression, according to the World Health Organisation,” Unsted adds. Her point is supported by other statistics too. Among other things, a new report by the WHO and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) notes that 15% of working-age adults across the globe live with a mental disorder – but that support is often under-resourced.
Future Banking /
www.nsbanking.com Future Banking /
www.nsbanking.com
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