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Supporting our people

Our work in response to COVID-19 isn’t just about supporting the marketplace, it’s also about supporting our people. This section includes information on some of the policies and procedures that we have put in place during this unprecedented time, as well as useful resources for managers and leaders, links to wellbeing information and suggestions on how we can continue to support our local communities.

Line manager guidance

We have created new guidance and information for our line managers to help equip them with the tools they need to manage their teams remotely. We are continuing to create new content and this will be added to this section as and when it is available.

Best practice

Home working equipment

As we expect to be working at home for quite some time, it’s important to us that all our employees have access to suitable and appropriate furniture and technology. All employees have been asked to assess their own situation and are able to purchase additional equipment if this is needed. We will contribute up to a maximum of £85 for a chair and £100 for a desk (exc. VAT) (or local currency equivalent) and we have also issued guidance for anyone who needs to purchase additional IT equipment such as monitors, headsets, keyboards, laptop chargers or HDMI cables from our agreed supplier.

Emergency leave (Coronavirus related)

We have increased the period of emergency special leave available to Corporation employees from one week to two weeks. Leave can be booked in half or full days and does not need to be booked in blocks. This is designed to support colleagues who cannot undertake work around their home responsibilities – for example, if their dependent is unwell or requires full-time care.

Headspace wellbeing app

We have given free access for all Corporation employees to the Headspace for Work wellbeing app, a science backed mental health programme combining mediation, sleep, and physical exercises. We hope that this will further support our employee's wellbeing, particularly whilst working at home due to COVID-19. 

Wellbeing

Taking care of our minds as well as our bodies is really important while staying at home because of COVID-19. People may be feeling bored, frustrated or lonely as well as low, anxious or concerned about money or those close you. It’s OK to feel this way and everyone will react differently. Staying at home may be difficult, but you are helping to protect yourself and others by doing it.

We have pulled together a wide range of resources with lots of tips on advice on the things you can do to keep on top of your mental wellbeing and cope with how you may be feeling while staying at home. We encourage you to read these resources and share this information with your colleagues, family and friends.

Supporting communities

20% of us in the UK have no-one in our neighbourhoods outside our immediate family we could call on if we needed help or support. The impacts of COVID-19 will be felt on those most vulnerable; those homeless or at risk of homelessness, those aged 70+, those with low immune systems or underlying health conditions and those at financial risk.

Even as we work remotely, our employees have the opportunity to use their paid volunteering time to support their local communities through this difficult period. In addition to the three paid volunteering time per year, we are encouraging Lloyd’s employees to take up to half a day extra every week – or an hour a day – to volunteer.

 

Getting involved locally

Our employees are taking part in a range of initiatives listed below to make a positive difference in their local communities, and as individuals working in the Lloyd’s market, you can too. We encourage you to join us by:

 

  • Signing up to local community initiatives. Visit Next Door or search ‘COVID-19 mutual aid’ on Facebook for local groups close to you
  • Connecting to your neighbours and vulnerable or isolated people with a postcard offering support
  • Donating food and toiletries to your local food bank who are in desperate need
  • Signing up to be an NHS volunteer to help locally
  • Volunteering from your home to support local charities and individuals through Lloyd’s Community Programme
  • Donating blood as hospitals are in huge need for donations at this time
  • Supporting existing charity partners with unrestricted donations to help them through these uncertain times
  • Making donations to the UK National Emergencies Trust campaign and globally to the World Health Organisation’s COVID-19 Solidarity campaign
  • Encouraging our global offices to support local initiatives
  • Supporting employees to get involved through matched funding and virtual fundraising and volunteering initiatives

We want to hear your stories

The community response from businesses across the UK and globally to support the relief efforts around Covid-19 has been incredible, with initiatives to help fundraise, volunteer, donate gifts in kind and support organisations through donations. We'd love to hear more about your acts of kindness and your community responses, so if you have a story to share please email us at: responsiblebusiness@lloyds.com.