Insurer Aviva is giving all of its 16,000 UK employees an extra day off this year to help boost their wellbeing.
Employees will be able to use the extra day of leave as they wish and it can be taken at any point during the year, on top of their usual annual leave entitlement.
Aviva’s chief people officer Danny Harmer 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.”
In December, Aviva employees received a £100 voucher in recognition of their commitment throughout the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
The wellbeing day is part of a range of support offered to employees to help boost their wellbeing this winter, including:
- Working from home support tools, such as mental health and wellbeing support and an employee assistance programme
- Access to the DigiCare+ smartphone app, which can help detect and manage physical and mental health issues
- Free access to health and wellbeing apps, including meditation apps Headspace and Thrive
- A wellbeing campaign, called #backtobest, where staff can earn points for doing things that boost their wellbeing, such as meditating or exercising
- Flexible working, with all staff on full pay regardless of the hours they are able to work during the lockdown
- 35 hours of paid leave per year for caring responsibilities. In 2020, 536 Aviva employees each used an average of 11 and a half hours of paid carers’ leave.