BBVA Prioritizes Employee Wellbeing From the Top

Araceli Morato of BBVA explains the bank is shifting its approach to employee health from regulatory compliance to a proactive wellbeing strategy. Morato notes that in the 1990s, the health department, then called Occupational Medicine, focused on meeting legal requirements and even influenced hiring decisions.

Now, the department falls under Culture and Engagement within Human Resources. BBVA has run 27 editions of its Time4Sleep program, reaching 1,000 employees, with over 80% reporting improvements in sleep duration and quality.

The bank’s recent Wellbeing Week sold out its in-person activities within an hour. Morato emphasizes the importance of sleep and mental health, noting a change in focus accelerated by the pandemic. BBVA now offers 24/7 confidential psychological support and initiatives promoting digital disconnection, with manager performance, and bonuses, linked to employee wellbeing feedback.