As the world faces rapid change and unprecedented challenge, it’s evident that prioritizing mental health and wellness isn’t just a personal concern; it’s also a global necessity. Our commitment to the well-being of the Oracle community is stronger than ever—but what does that look like for our employees? This Stress Awareness Week, we spoke with members of Oracle Asia Pacific (APAC) to find out.
Early on the radar
Mental health largely made its way the forefront of global conversation as a result of COVID-19, but it had been on Oracle APAC’s radar prior to the pandemic.
“Before COVID-19, we had piloted a few trainings on mental health, as we recognized that the workplace is one of the major stressors in one’s life,” says Geraldine Tay, director of employee experience. “We aimed to raise awareness of this topic to equip our employees and managers with basic coping and support knowledge.”
The importance of the new project skyrocketed when the pandemic hit. Suddenly, communities had to adapt to countless cycles of isolation and lockdown. Parents had to navigate family arrangements and obligations. Individuals had to learn how to avoid and cope with the infection itself—all while juggling work expectations.
A holistic approach
With research indicating a decline in workforce mental health, the Oracle APAC team accelerated the development of the APAC Mental Health Program. The program aims to create and sustain an environment that provides multiple channels of support, allowing individuals to choose what works best for them.
Managers are required to take part in workplace mental health training, and employees have access to free workshops on understanding and improving mental well-being. Dedicated mental health and wellness Slack channels were set up for employees’ day-to-day community support. The program’s microsite also serves as a hub for more individualized resources.
“We want to demonstrate that the company genuinely cares for our employees’ health, wellness, and well-being beyond work performance,” explains Agnes Tan, senior director of human resources.
Revamping wellness
To fulfill this mission, Oracle APAC recently revamped its Wellness Program. With year-round activities, the program is designed to provide employees with holistic support in four areas—physical, psychological, financial, and social.
“Knowing the competitive nature of our employees, we incorporate different types of group and individual challenges for them to have fun against each other,” Agnes shares. “Bringing these activities into the workplace encourages bonding and relationship building within and across lines of businesses.”
The program also includes perks such as massages, vaccinations, and complimentary health screenings. By taking part in these initiatives, employees can save the time, cost, and effort of seeking medical help externally.
Community impact
Oracle’s commitment to well-being isn’t limited to APAC’s mental health and wellness programs. The company also provides valuable resources to help employees thrive in their personal and professional lives.
“We have one of the most comprehensive and multi-angled programs—training and upskilling, personal learning resources, office activities, and employee benefits,” says Geraldine.
The Coaching Pod program, launched by Oracle APAC in 2021, promotes growth and self-discovery through professional coaching sessions. Employees get to achieve their potential at work, while coaches get to pass along their expertise. The initiative draws from Oracle’s strong culture of mentorship.
Many Oracle team members take part in volunteering to alleviate stress and give back to their communities. Each employee is given 40 paid hours a year to contribute to causes they care about, and many continue to volunteer beyond that. They can also gain support and wisdom from Oracle’s employee resource groups (ERGs)—made up of people who share common backgrounds, interests, and life experiences—and various affinity groups.
Personal support
Work isn’t the only source of stress for employees, of course. Unprecedented personal challenges can have a big impact on life both in and out of the office. That’s why the APAC team highlights resources like the Employee Assistance Program, a free, confidential counselling service available 24/7 to employees and their families. Those facing financial hardship can look to Oracle Cares, an employee assistance fund that enables team members to help their colleagues in times of need.
“There are many other in-country resources, such outpatient and inpatient psychiatry, that are made available as part of our medical insurance program for employees and families,” Agnes notes.
In fact, Oracle is one of the few countries in APAC that includes psychiatrist and psychologist consultations in its benefits package.
Healthy choices
While everyone has unique stressors and challenges, sustaining a healthy, stress-free work environment is a community effort. Each day, our employees find ways to prioritize their mental health and well-being—and that of those around them.
“I take regular breaks to practice breathing exercises and mental awareness sessions in order to bring the mind to a more relaxed and rejuvenated state,” says Venkat Nambiyur, director of cloud engineering.
Jai Shekhar, senior director of Oracle talent advisory, agrees that taking time for yourself during the workday is crucial for happiness and performance. He emphasizes that his daily lunch break isn’t just a pause for sustenance. It’s also an investment in holistic wellness—an opportunity to replenish his energy, reduce stress, and mentally reset.
“I’m grateful for our Oracle cafeteria, offering a bounty of high-quality foods at an affordable price. A small investment in our health pays dividends in productivity and satisfaction.”
Oracle’s culture of health and wellness motivated Allan-Roberts Amalanathan, senior manager of go-live assurance, to maintain a regular fitness regimen.
“Recently, I went on to complete my first marathon,” he shares. “Exercise is powerful and can help improve your life. Have your passion, hold onto it, and keep moving!”
Senior consultant Abhijit Mondal upholds his commitment to wellness by promoting a team culture of mutual support and appreciation.
“Our team promotes open and hybrid work culture, where we celebrate the ideas and success of all the team members. A healthy and happy environment like this helps individuals to flourish personally and holistically.”
teaches employees how to make healthy soup
Top priority
Geraldine explains that managers have a heightened responsibility to support their teams with work life balance and mental wellness. In addition to attending mental health trainings, managers must be proactive about creating a safe space for employees to voice their concerns and provide workplace adjustments and flexibility to team members. Many even build basic para-counseling skills to better attend to team members who are struggling. Most importantly, good managers are vulnerable and open about their own challenges.
“We want all employees to remember that their mental health and well-being remains our top priority,” says Agnes. “The support that we provide to each other is invaluable and should never be underestimated.”
Do you want to grow your career at a workplace that prioritizes your mental health and well-being? Learn about life at Oracle and explore our open roles today.