Technology-led savings platform Mony Group prioritises mental health and has a wide range of offerings to support its 630 employees’ wellbeing.
The group owns comparison sites Moneysupermarket, Travelsupermarket and Icelolly, as well as consumer finance website Money Saving Expert and Quidco.
Support for staff includes free membership to the Headspace app for employees and their families, a Thrive employee resource group which offers a safe space to talk informally, assistance from mental health first aiders, and mandatory mental health training for all managers.
Financial wellbeing is a pivotal part of the organisation's workplace wellbeing and mental health strategy, and for the past two years it has hosted a ‘Big Mony Workshop’ for staff to improve their financial fitness. They can choose from a range of webinars provided by external providers, pre-booked one-to-one help and tailored checklists to save money.
The group’s support is not a one-size-fits-all approach, as it wants staff to focus on what is important to them, says Lisa Townsend, chief people officer at Mony Group.
“We recognise that staff may feel more comfortable seeking support outside of Mony, so together with Telus Health, we have a free 24/7 confidential wellbeing helpline,” she says. “Community is at the centre of everything we do and is a theme that runs throughout our culture. We have employee resource groups which connect staff across our offices and explore topics like representation and our community charity projects. The groups play a part in helping us celebrate our differences and instil a sense of belonging.”
Mony Group’s initiatives were implemented with the aim of connecting its employees with the purpose of its business, which is to help households save money, and to create an environment where its people can excel both professionally and personally. It considers an effective and evolving mental health and wellbeing strategy and support service as vital to achieving this.
In order to further address and raise the profile of financial wellbeing concerns, the group focused its support provision following the cost-of-living crisis, which caused stress or financial anxiety for some employees. In January 2023, following a staff vote, it selected Campaign Against Living Miserably (Calm) as its charity partner and hosted fundraising events such as gig nights, golf competitions and weightlifting challenges. As a result of these, it donated more than £200,000 of its three year target of £225,000 in the first 18 months alone. This equates to over 16,300 lifesaving calls answered by the Calm helpline.
The group has worked hard to make its voice louder on mental health and wellbeing issues, both internally and externally, adds Townsend.
“There’s no doubt that raising a corporate voice on wellbeing matters has an impact on employees, as we’ve phenomenal engagement across the business. This year, we launched Money Talks as part of the charity partnership, designed to help anyone worrying about their financial situation. It spotlights the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on mental health, featuring engaging videos to help tackle the stigma attached to talking about money worries, along with guides on how to start those difficult conversations,” she says.
