Zurich Bermuda Earns Gold Designation
Zurich Bermuda has earned a Gold designation under the Bermuda Mental Health Foundation’s Mindful Employer Certificate Program.
A spokesperson said, “The Foundation found that Zurich’s existing workplace policies in the areas of HR, employee benefits [including wellness and mental health coverage], flexible work arrangements, and policy manuals are exemplary.
“The Foundation launched the Mindful Employer Certification [MEC] Program this year. It is an initiative which seeks to challenge, highlight and cultivate company cultures that put mental health as a workplace priority.
“The Mindful Employer Certification ensures that employers are in compliance with existing legislation while challenging them to develop, implement or enhance sound policies and practices around mental health.
“The MEC Program begins with a baseline assessment of a company’s existing policies and practices and measures them against a set of key standards aimed at fostering a mentally healthy and stigma-free workplace.”
“Employers who value and prioritize mental health will see a positive impact on retention, engagement, wellness and health care costs. More importantly, by completing the MEC Program, companies like Zurich not only provide a supportive work environment but are also in a powerful position to help change attitudes around what can often be a taboo topic,” said Foundation Director and HR professional, Annie Richardson.
The spokesperson said,” Both she and Cathy Sousa, a Mental Health Professional and a fellow Foundation Director, are assessors for the Program.”
“The concept for the MEC Program has been a work in progress for the Foundation and we are pleased with the level of interest that it has attracted thus far. Zurich Bermuda is the first company to receive a MEC certification and we commend this wonderful organization on achieving our highest designation, the Gold Standard. We look forward to working with all of Bermuda’s employers to ensure they have or create a mentally friendly work environment,” said Foundation Chairman James Macdonald.
In speaking for Zurich, Philip Thorne, CEO of Zurich Investment Service Ltd, and Mike Deevy, CEO of Zurich Insurance Company Ltd, Bermuda Branch, said jointly, “For Zurich globally, the wellbeing [including mental health] of our employees and the communities we operate in is very important to us, and so we are extremely proud to have achieved the Gold Standard MEC.
“While mental wellbeing is always important, in 2020 we have seen this elevated as a result of COVID-19. Now more than ever, we continue to ensure that our policies and practices are robust enough to support our employees during such a challenging time.
“If you would like to learn more about the MEC Program or the Bermuda Mental Health Foundation, please visit www.bmhf.bm. If your company is interested in earning Mindful Employer designation, please visit here or call the Foundation at [441] 703-0003.”
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