The many initiatives at Equitas SFB
Equitas Small Finance Bank has created Equitas Gyan Kendra (EGK) initiative and since its inception in 2008 has provided vocational training and organized skill development programs to around 562,000 people, mostly beneficiaries of its microfinance endeavors. The programs have helped enhance their family income. The bank has also launched a special project as a part of its CSR initiative called Equitas Bird Nest (EBN), which works exclusively on the rehabilitation of pavement dwellers. Ever since its inception, EBN has moved 2101 families from the periphery of society to the centre.
It has created an opportunity for its microfinance community through job fairs/ placements for children and some 192,000 youths have found employment.
EFFORTS TO KEEP EMPLOYEES HEALTHY
The bank has also been active in ensuring that its employees are in sound mental health. Through its several CSR initiatives, it has supported the employees in harmonizing their mental wellbeing. Some of these initiatives are:
A. Health Champions: The bank has appointed Health Champions in all the regions where it operates. They are employees who are part of a family involved in the medical profession. Ably supported by regional HR, they had used all the social media and networking platforms to connect with all employees in the state and aid their well-being in case of need.
B. ‘Did you Know Series’ was created to showcase positive stories during the
covid pandemic. The series stirred a warrior mindset among the employees. C. Covid Package Policy: The bank has launched a first of its kind Covid Package for its employees to assist them and their families affected by the virus. The package consists of special leave, reimbursement of the cost of testing, home quarantine support, additional support for hospitalization, emergency medical loans, etc.
D. Doctor on Call: An exclusive tie-up with hospitals in Chennai for e-consultation with doctors and specialists. About 50 appointments were availed by employees every month.
E. Covid Warriors: HR team from Equitas transformed itself as Covid Warriors and acted as a bridge between employees and the critical information/resources in need for them as the covid crisis was unfolding. In this new normal situation, our Covid Warriors had served as a single point of contact to address all our employees’ queries and needs, either in terms of clarifying health insurance related queries or their other evolving concerns.
F. Hospital Assist Initiatives: The bank conducted vaccination camps at various locations for employees and their families. Reimbursement of vaccination for self and family of employees was also done. It also helped procure oxygen concentrators, life-saving drugs, and the like for people severely affected.
social animals and we depend on each other for support and cooperation in our day to day lives, he adds.
He also highlights that apart from family, workplace environment should be made supportive, as this is the place where working professionals spend most of their waking hours. An understanding boss/ colleague, peer goes a long way in shedding stress and rejuvenating oneself.
Besides, managers should go beyond work relations and should act as a friend and confidante to extend required support to their team members and they should periodically encourage informal interactions, virtual chit chat over tea/ coffee without any work agenda to keep the environment light and stress-free, says Sunil.
Apart from this, people with mental health problems should be treated with respect and dignity and should never be labelled by their conditions and companies should offer EAP for employees and their families and organize virtual sessions on yoga, meditation, physical activity and mindfulness to relieve employees off stress.