With over 12 years since its founding, D&V Philippines has steadily grown its client base and increase its service offerings to various clients from Australia, the US, the UK, Canada and Asia. Throughout all this, the company has grown to be more than a thousand strong – with our employees working hard to provide quality services for our clients, united in a common goal.
Knowing that our employees are our strongest assets, we have made employee well-being the heart of D&V Philippines’ corporate culture. From providing the necessary resources to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic to providing benefits that help employees ease back into reporting to our office in our current hybrid work arrangement, we have made it our priority to study and learn what our employees need the most and do our best to provide it.
In recent years, the growing need for mental health support has become evident and seeing the need for this support within our company, we have taken proactive steps to ensure our employees have access to the necessary resources to care for their mental wellbeing.
Today and in the future, our company will remain steadfast in prioritizing mental health through various offerings and initiatives.
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D&V Philippines’ Wellness Team
Beginning in 2018, our Wellness Team has recently become a sub-unit of our Facilities Management Department. The wellness team is a dedicated group responsible for driving company initiatives and events meant to improve employee wellness. This initiative allowed the company to cement their welfare efforts as in the creation of this sub-unit, workflow processes and instructions were finalized, paving the way for activities such as the wellness week, health talks, various seminars on health and increased medical testing and counselling capabilities within our clinic.
Since then, the wellness team has grown twice in size as they annually create new policies to help foster a healthy and inclusive workspace, with the focus this year being on mental health awareness and care.
Our Approach to Employee Mental Health
In strict compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012, we are dedicated to giving our employees a completely safe space with our health policies.
Case in point, our part-time mental health physician who is available in our Makati office every week complies with the guidelines set by our Legal and Human Resources Departments, maintaining full confidentiality in every aspect of each mental health consultation. These confidentiality agreements are in place to protect employees’ privacy and to encourage them to seek professional help without fear of stigma.
With ongoing discussions and assessments, we continuously identify gaps in our wellness policies and implement the necessary changes. Our goal is to create a system that not only acknowledges but also actively supports mental health challenges faced by our employees. Through our proactive approach, we work closely not just with top management but with managers of various teams as well – encouraging leaders to cascade and provide all the necessary information and resources we have for every employee to be able to get the help they need.
Wellness Initiatives
Aside from working closely with our Legal Department with policies that help create a healthy work environment, we also conduct regular wellness programs focusing on different aspects of mental health. These include:
- Workplace mental health awareness – We invite professionals to talk about healthy ways to address stress and burnout, giving employees several options to be able to cope healthily with their work.
- Women empowerment – With over 70% of our employee demographic being women, we feel that it is important to advocate for women empowerment. Because of this, aside from complying with the Magna Carta Act for women, we also provide the necessary resources for our female employees such as women empowerment seminars, lactations rooms and mental health services designed for working mothers and females.
- Health and wellness education – Aimed at providing a holistic approach to health, the Wellness Team acknowledges that physical health and well-being also contributes to one’s mental state. With this, we invite professionals that offer insights into how our employees can achieve balance: maintaining mental and physical well-being.
- Various employee engagement activities – We spearhead activities throughout the year that allow employees to take a break and engage with their colleagues outside of a work setting, promoting healthy boundaries and work– life balance.
Wellness Week: A Dedicated Three-Day Annual Initiative
One of the key highlights of our wellness program is the Wellness Week, held every June or July. This annual event spans three days, offering a series of activities focused on mental, physical, and emotional well-being. From expert-led seminars to stress-relief activities, the Wellness Week ensures that employees have dedicated time to focus on their well-being.
As mental health cases continue to rise globally, the significance of this initiative grows stronger. Employees are encouraged to participate, helping them gain valuable insights into self-care and stress management.
Proactive Year-Round Support: Hiring an In-House Mental Health Physician
Recognizing the increasing need for professional mental health support, D&V Philippines took a decisive step by hiring a part-time in-house mental health physician. Since its launch in October, this initiative has been a resounding success, with appointments fully booked every Wednesday from 10 AM to 2 PM.
The in-house mental health physician provides free counseling to employees, offering a safe and confidential space for them to discuss their concerns. Employees can openly seek guidance on stress management, work-life balance, and mental health challenges without the worry of external exposure.
Confidentiality remains a top priority, with policies developed in collaboration with our legal team to ensure that all consultations are strictly private. This assurance has encouraged more employees to seek help, leading to a noticeable increase in mental health consultations.
D&V Philippines remains committed to evolving its wellness programs based on employee feedback. Every month, the Wellness Team conducts meetings with top management to discuss progress, challenges, and areas for improvement. The enthusiasm from management has been a driving force in ensuring the continuation and enhancement of these initiatives.
Additionally, the Wellness Team actively shares mental health insights and best practices through monthly announcements. This consistent engagement helps normalize discussions around mental health, further reinforcing a culture of openness and support within the company.
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The Impact of a Proactive Approach to Mental Health Care
While we keep mental health sessions with our physician confidential, we have been able to gauge the effectiveness of the initiative through other means such as the annual wellness surveys conducted every October and feedback from management.
In recent assessments, we have seen an increase in mental health consultations – with all sessions with the physician being fully booked since the launch of the initiative October 2024 up to date, indicating that employees feel safe and comfortable seeking help through the resources provided by the company.
Aside from this, the reported number of sick leaves filed by employees upon launching the mental health consultations were reduced significantly, suggesting improved overall well-being and a healthier mindset when it comes to handling work-related stress.
From direct feedback from employees, they have expressed appreciation for the various activities included in the annual wellness week, giving suggestions on what they want to see this 2025 and hoping that some activities still be included.
These key takeaways affirm that our approach to workplace mental health is making a tangible difference in the lives of our employees.
The Next Steps Toward Employee Wellness
While we have made significant progress, we recognize that mental health is an ongoing priority. To further strengthen our initiatives, we aim to continue to expand our wellness initiatives and increase employee access to mental health professionals and other resources that provide holistic employee welfare.
By listening to our employees’ needs and actively working towards better mental health solutions, D&V Philippines continues to build a workplace that prioritizes well-being, fosters resilience, and supports a thriving workforce.
As we move forward, our goal remains clear: to provide our employees with the best possible support system for their mental well-being. By adopting a pro-employee and people-first approach, we are committed to ensuring the welfare of our employees which in turn allow us to provide quality services that our clients continue to enjoy, positioning D&V Philippines as a trusted outsourced partner for their finance and accounting needs.
Need a Partner who provides Consistent Quality Services?
D&V Philippines provides scalable finance and accounting solutions and access to talent that makes sure your business’ operations is top priority. If you’re interested in learning more about our services, schedule a free consultation with us or you may download our Employees to Partners whitepaper to see how our talents can be your assets too!
This article has been written in collaboration with Aly Tagamolila, a content specialist at D&V Philippines.
