PEOPLE AND CULTURE

NEWS

Employees given extra day leave to help with wellbeing

27 Jan 2021

    • Insurer Aviva is giving all its 16,000 UK employees an extra day off this year, specifically to help with their wellbeing. This is part of a range of ‘winter wellbeing’ events Aviva is running to support colleagues as the COVID-19 struggle continues.

    Staff can use the extra day how they wish – whether for hobbies or simply to rest and recharge – and is in addition to holiday leave available to employees at any point throughout the year.

    Aviva said it wanted to recognise employees for their continued work to support customers.

    Danny Harmer, Aviva’s Chief People Officer, said:

    “Our people have worked incredibly hard to support our customers throughout what has been a really difficult time for everyone. We want to make this winter a little bit brighter for them and say thank you. So, this is an opportunity for colleagues to take a day for themselves.

    “When our people are at their best, our business is at its best for our customers. Rest is an important part of wellbeing and it’s vital that organisations create space for people to recharge their batteries wherever possible.”

    The ‘Wellbeing Day’ is part of a range of support available to Aviva employees to help this winter, including:

    • In December, UK employees received a £100 voucher to say thank you for their hard work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • A range of support tools to assist with working from home, including mental and wellbeing support, and 24/7 Employee Assistance programme.
    • DigiCare+, available for employees free of charge. This is a smartphone app that can help detect, manage and prevent physical and mental health problems.
    • Free access to wellbeing apps, Headspace and Thrive. Headspace and Thrive are meditation apps that help build overall resilience, but it is also useful for specific areas, for example, helping with sleep.
    • #backtobest – a wellbeing campaign where employees can earn points for doing things that are good for them, like being active or meditating.
    • Flexible working available for all staff. Since the first lockdown Aviva have paid all employees in full, regardless of the hours they are able to work.
    • 35 hours paid leave per year for UK employees to help manage caring responsibilities.