“Despite being busy as a breadwinner for my family, I am really thankful to Capital One Philippines as I was able to focus on my mental health with the Invest In Yourself Day (IIYD),” said associate Chloe Jayme. “Just as physical fitness helps our bodies to stay strong, mental fitness helps us to achieve and sustain a state of good mental health.”
She added, “When we are mentally healthy, we enjoy our life and environment, and the people in it. We can be creative, learn, try new things, and take risks. We can better cope with difficult times in our personal and professional lives. Since I was given a chance to focus on my mental health, I am more confident that I can achieve great results.”
Another associate, Brent Tolentino, echoed, “I’m glad and very appreciative that Capital One Philippines is giving us an opportunity to have that extra time to invest in ourselves. Kicking it off with flat white coffee on a relaxing Monday morning as I try to nourish the soul a little bit, reading my all-time favorite book.”
Chloe and Brent are one of the many Capital One Philippines associates who enjoy Invest in Yourself Day, a program that gives associates some extended time free of meetings where they can dig into learning or prop up their feet for some much-deserved rest. Most teams observe the same Invest in Yourself Day, which means associates return to work with only a few things to catch up on.
"Capital One Philippines is all about being the best we can be,” said Capital One Philippines Head of Country Joseph Paperman. “Well, IIYD is like our secret weapon for that. It's a day dedicated to just taking a break, learning something new, or whatever helps you recharge. When we take care of ourselves, we come back feeling refreshed and ready to tackle anything. It's like hitting the restart button and coming back even stronger – which is an excellent way to work.”
Aside from IIYD, Capital One Philippines also prides itself with its Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging (DIB) culture, which is essential for fostering innovation, collaboration, and overall associate satisfaction. Its Business Resource Groups (BRGs) such as Empower, Out Front, and Capabilities, also play a pivotal role in providing a supportive network, mentorship, and resources to associates, contributing to a more inclusive work culture.
“We know happy employees are successful employees, that's why we offer programs to help everyone take care of themselves, no matter what their background or needs are,” said Paperman. This way, we can build a work environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and like they can truly be themselves. It's a win-win – healthier employees and more vibrant company culture.”
Integrating opportunities for self-care and connection in how they work
Capital One Philippines’ commitment to the well-being of its associates is an ongoing journey. Recognizing the dynamic nature of workplace needs and individual preferences, the organization is dedicated to evolving and expanding its self-care programs to ensure they remain relevant and impactful.
In addition to its existing initiatives, Capital One Philippines has several programs in the pipeline aimed at fostering a sense of community and enhancing the overall workplace culture.
“Our initiatives are brimming with programs dedicated to strengthening and nurturing the connection and culture at Capital One Philippines,” said Capital One Philippines Director of Human Resources Phil Bravo. “We believe that by continually investing in these initiatives, we can create an environment where our associates feel valued, connected, and inspired to contribute their best to our collective success.”
Capital One Philippines also understands the link between well-designed workspaces and associate wellness, creating a stimulating environment that can foster a positive and engaging work atmosphere. Furthermore, tech plays a supporting role in wellness such as access to video conferencing, collaboration software, and remote work options, allowing associates to manage their workload efficiently and potentially reduce work-life conflict.
“Workspaces and tech environments can significantly impact well-being,” said Capital One Philippines Chief Tech Officer and Shared Services Von Ramos. “We continue to invest in redesigning and updating our physical workplace to include features like open spaces and well-lit areas that can encourage movement and reduce physical strain. This fosters connection for teams, along with individual well-being. We also continue to improve our collaboration areas and meeting rooms to give associates more avenues to connect in-person. Our hope is for these physical workplace upgrades, along with our ongoing technology improvements to further enhance remote work options, and wellness programs, inspire and empower our associates every day.”