Ensuring our platforms, products and services are running smoothly for Canadians during these uncertain times remains our top priority. We are focused on maintaining network stability and security, as well as expanding the availability of our offerings to bring them to even more Canadians – and our employees are critical to all of this. That is why we put the safety and wellbeing of our staff at the forefront of every business decision to ensure they have the support they need to make sure that we keep the network running smoothly remotely. We have taken extensive measures to help our team balance their work and home lives, continue to keep them up-to-date on changing policies and procedures and have provided financial assistance so they can work comfortably from home.
Here are a few ways that we are building a strong remote work culture:
Launched New Technology Tools for Staff
As the COVID-19 pandemic began to evolve, we made swift policy updates to get our workforce working remotely to do our part to help flatten the curve and stop the spread of COVID-19. Our technology teams worked quickly and effectively to ensure that the critical work we do could all be done from home. This included launching new work-from-home tools that employees can use to host meetings and connect with one another.
Instituted a Work-From-Home Allowance for Employees
Our employees are critical to helping us keep Canadians’ money moving through these economic times. Building a strong and resilient remote work culture where our employees feel motivated and productive helps ensure we keep essential payment services operating smoothly. All full-time Interac employees receive a one-time work-from-home allowance to help them upgrade their workspace to promote comfort and workplace efficiency.
Instituted Quiet Hours for Employees
Extended working from home presents different challenges for everyone. Some employees have to homeschool their children, while others may be experiencing an increased workload and added stress. We set ‘Quiet Hours’ throughout the day and have asked staff to avoid booking non-critical meetings during these times in an effort to provide designated time for staff to focus on work without interruption as well as manage household demands.
Keeping Employees Informed
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve hosted People Leader calls to provide updates and answer any questions they may have related to their teams, created and distributed a variety of resources to help employees continue to do their jobs and stay engaged, and listened to feedback from Interac staff to inform new HR programming. We also launched a COVID-19 digital resource centre that employees can access for important updates from the CEO and senior leaders, as well as social engagement activities they can participate in.
Keeping Employees Engaged Remotely
Staying connected during times of physical distancing is key to maintaining and supporting the health and well-being of our staff. Our employees are used to gathering for social events at the office, so our teams worked hard to bring engaging digital programming options that promote employee wellness, productivity and social engagement. From virtual fitness classes and meditation sessions to live cooking and cocktail making lessons hosted by our own employees, we’re finding simple ways to keep our employees engaged and connected.
Building a Strong & Resilient Culture
A strong and united employee culture leads to an engaged and motivated workforce. We are continuing to train our senior leaders on how to lead through a crisis as COVID-19 progresses. This includes ensuring people leaders continue to have a regular cadence of virtual check-ins with their teams and continuing to offer additional support as needed. We are also regularly engaging employees through surveys to get a better understanding of how they’re managing remote work. This is uncharted territory for all of us but listening to the needs of employees and letting that drive business decisions ensures employees across the organization feel heard and supported.
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