Supporting the wellbeing of our people
The physical and mental wellbeing of our employees directly impacts their performance and productivity. We provide preventive care and health education and awareness on COVID-19 and the importance of mental health.
An increasing number of employee referrals to wellness service providers, particularly related to COVID-19 and mental health.
What we are doing
Employee wellness programmes
In South Africa, our Employee Assistance Programme is managed by external service providers. The confidential short-term counselling services help employees who are facing personal challenges, including financial and legal advice (excluding labour law), work-related problems that are affecting their work performance, and health, mental and emotional wellbeing issues. Both face-to-face and telephonic counselling is offered. Beyond this programme, our people have access to a wide range of professional communication and self-leadership events.
In the UK, an independent occupational health provider oversees health surveillance interventions, including legislated medical examinations. The health provider also assists employees who need counselling, help with stress and health issues, and rehabilitation from workplace accidents. The UK Employee Assistance Programme provides employees and their immediate family members with 24/7 access to a doctor, confidential counselling services, mental health support and professional financial advice. Advantageous savings and credit interest rates are available to those earning lower incomes.
Our Employee Assistance Programme in Australia comprises four counselling services and access to government bodies, which assist with relationship issues, depression, suicide and self-harm tendencies and domestic violence.
Given the size of our operation in the Rest of Africa and the current economic climate, we have delayed the roll out of a formal Employee Assistance Programme; however, our HR team in this operation provides direct support to employees who are facing wellbeing issues.
Our wellness programmes are well advertised and our HR personnel are well informed and able to help employees in need of these services.
Wellness days in South Africa
Wellness days are hosted by some business segments and brands in South Africa, which typically provide employees with access to free eye tests, health screens and advice from various healthcare practitioners, dieticians, physical trainers and financial advisers.
Mental health first aiders in the UK
The commercial vehicles division in the UK has a network of 50 trained mental health first aiders, who have either attended a mental health awareness programme, a 12-week counselling course or a cognitive behavioural therapy course. Their role is to destigmatise mental health problems, encourage our employees to speak up and serve as contact points for employees struggling with their mental health. Where required, the first aiders direct employees for professional support.
How we measure our performance
All service providers who support our employee assistance programmes are required to provide the Group with regular reports. This data is not consolidated at a Group level.
2022 performance and key objectives
South Africa
- We reviewed our Employee Assistance Programme assessing our current service provider, cost and operational model to enhance efficiencies and employee access. While cost and the operating model were found to be sufficient, the review identified a need to increase our communication with employees on the benefits of the programme. We also worked with our medical aid partners to raise employee awareness on the benefits provided by our medical aid offering.
- Employees increased their use of the Employee Assistance Programme to deal with psychological issues. 213 reported cases (2021: 172) were managed with psychosocial cases comprising 82% (2021: 78%) of total cases. Of the 82%, the highest category of cases was grief and stress followed by depression and trauma. Based on our trend reports, there is a correlation between COVID-19 peaks and increases in programme referrals.
- Motus was assigned a dedicated business manager by our largest service provider, who is helping to identify service gaps and enhance the employee experience.
- We held an awareness campaign for employees on the Employee Assistance Programme.
- A number of wellness initiatives were hosted, for example, Retail and Rental, Mobility Solutions and Hyundai worked with pharmacies to provide on-site vaccinations and booster injections.
- Hyundai hosted a month-long wellness programme that included on-site health checks, talks by mental health practitioners, a discussion and demonstration by a fitness specialist and a presentation by a financial specialist to discuss budgeting and wills.
- Kia will hold a wellness month for employees in October 2022.
Regions
- The commercial vehicles division in the UK, established the Employee Resource Group comprising the mental health first aiders at each site. The group meets quarterly with the HR team and the division's Managing Director, enabling its members to influence matters affecting health, safety and employee welfare.
- The commercial vehicles division in the UK, encouraged employees to take a step away from their work to connect with a colleague, exercise, get outdoors, understand their own self-esteem and deal with anxiety.
Objectives
- South Africa: deploy digital emotional intelligence platforms to improve employee wellbeing, and stimulate psychological safety to develop trust and understanding between teams.