KEEPING BURNOUT AT BAY – PART 2

Understanding the reality of work-from-home burnouts is the first step towards a healthier outlook. If you feel like you are avoiding work tasks, declining in your performance,  or experiencing constant exhaustion, it’s time to pause and ask for help. Speak to your team leaders and seek out company resources to support you.

At UniCredit, the wellbeing and mental health of our colleagues is of the utmost importance. The services and programs offered help to manage stress-induced work situations and help with preventive measures. For example, Bank Austria offers preventative care and initiatives, such as psychological counselling and crisis support. All are encouraged to use digital counselling sessions, as well as an app called elemental to promote mindfulness and meditation.

Respect for boundaries is essential to protect wellbeing and work engagement. Sticking to a regular schedule can be unrealistic for many households, as many face the challenge of childcare or eldercare during working hours. Even for those without the added obligations, remote working is tough enough with the constant connectivity pressures.

UniCredit has created a Family Board to propose solutions for people’s needs in terms of flexibility, working hours, guidance for remote teams, as well as practical support for parents and carers. Our objective is to create a safe, kind work culture to support our employees.

Remote working often puts pressure on employees to always project the appearance of being busy or hyperproductive. Not only is this approach unsustainable, but it often leads to focusing on short term ‘wins’ instead of more beneficial long-term goals. Harvard Business Review says that “trying to squeeze in work and email responses whenever we have a few minutes to do so – during nap time, on the weekend, or by pausing a movie in the evening – is not only counterproductive but also detrimental to our well-being.”

UniCredit offers psychological support – anytime, anywhere. Employees can utilise the Employee Assistant Program, which offers a psychological support hotline for employees and family members. Professionals will provide free and confidential psychological assistance, respecting privacy and anonymity rights.