As the COVID-19 pandemic steadily increases discussions around mental health in the workplace, SAP fosters a company culture that helps its employees cope in these challenging times. New work-life balance initiatives currently in place have made working at SAP even better as the tech giant continues to fulfill its commitment to protecting the health of its employees and safeguarding business simultaneously.
SAP CEO Christian Klein said that a healthy workplace culture is fundamental for a resilient business, further stressing the importance of creating a work environment that is genuinely supportive of mental health. He maintained:
“Well-being and mental health have always been important to us at SAP, but the current times further emphasise the need to make physical and emotional wellness a top priority.”
With over 11,400 employees trained in mindfulness courses, the not-for-profit SAP Global Mindfulness Practice program offers best-practice models that help bring positivity and enables employees to thrive in a connected world. The company also regularly reports its Business Health Culture Index that evaluates its level of support for people’s well-being, work-life balance, and organisational health.
Additionally, SAP has announced a “Global Mental Health Day” to be held on the 27th of April 2021 as a way to encourage employees to unwind and recharge. Launching off the back of a recently published Qualtrics employee pulse survey — which revealed that one-third or 30% of SAP employees are struggling to maintain a healthy work-life balance — the company-sponsored global holiday will allow employees to do something for themselves and their families.
Dr. Autumn Krauss, Chief Scientist at SAP SuccessFactors, has applauded SAP’s commitment to allocating a Mental Health Day across its entire workforce of more than 100,000 employees. Krauss believes in sustaining the benefits of the global holiday by developing new ways to promote mental health and well-being in the workplace.
Employees Working at SAP ANZ to Benefit from New Policy
Moreover, SAP ANZ has introduced a Life Leave policy that gives employees five additional days of paid leave for important life events. As part of SAP’s major work-life balance programs, the initiative sheds light on the changing expectations of the workplace amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement, Debbie Rigger, Head of Human Resources at SAP Australia and New Zealand, explained:
“The past year has been hard on everyone and has shone a spotlight on the pressures faced by our people. Hearing from our teams through check-ins and surveys, we know that many have refocused what their priorities are and where they want to devote their time. SAP’s new Life Leave policy is our way of showing our teams that we understand the need to plan work around life, not the other way round.”
The policy enables employees working at SAP ANZ to take five days of paid leave for significant personal situations such as caring for loved ones, preparing for a milestone or lifestyle event, and recharging mental health. Among those who recently used their Life Leave benefits are Jamie Fitzcarlos, Senior Marketing Manager, Industries at SAP ANZ and Kikelomo Abegunde, Customer Engagement Executive at SAP ANZ.
As a stroke survivor, Fitzcarlos used her entitlement to raise awareness for The Stroke Foundation by participating in the 4x4x48 Challenge. Abegunde, on the other hand, used her Life Leave to start her own podcast where she expounds on her journey as a Nigerian-American living in Australia.
Damien Bueno, President and Managing Director at SAP ANZ, concluded:
“These initiatives demonstrate our commitment to our employees to help them focus on their wellbeing and take the time to celebrate the moments that matter to them. This means we have happier, healthier and more engaged employees, which directly leads to better outcomes for our customers and our business.”
