Standard Chartered Bank has been recognized for its outstanding HR practice at the 4th Africa Human Resources Innovation Awards 2022 (AHRIA) held at Movenpick Hotel, Accra. The Bank bagged three awards: Most Innovative Workplace Design of the Year, Excellence in Leadership Development for Women, with its Head of Human Resources, Gifty Fordwuo being adjudged Africa Top 50 HR Leaders.
This is testament to the Bank’s commitment to grow and provide a world class employee experience, one that hinges on innovation, inclusiveness, and high performance. This year’s event was under the theme “Rewarding Excellence in the HR sector”.
Chief Executive Officer/Founder of Instinct Wave – organisers of the Awards, Akin Naphtal, commended organisations and practitioners who have pushed the boundaries and raised the bar of excellence in the profession despite the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the global workforce.
“HR operated in crisis mode for much of 2020 and the first half of 2021, figuring out how employees could work from home, trying to provide extra mental and physical health support, and working more than ever on C-level strategies for keeping their organisations functioning. As the dust continues to settle and companies adjust to a new normal, the role of HR has fundamentally changed,” he said.
Commenting on the awards, Gifty Fordwuo, Head Human Resources, Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC said, “Standard Chartered, over the years, has developed systems that make the organisation exceptional in creating an environment and experiences that are safe and career rewarding for employees”.
Standard Chartered recognises the importance of employee wellbeing as it impacts their quality of life and productivity both at work and at home. “At Standard Chartered, our employees’ wellbeing is central to our health, resilience, productivity, and ambition to be an inclusive and innovative organisation. It affects the experience we give to our clients and our relationships with each other,” Gifty Fordwuo added.
The Bank provides an Onsite Clinic with standard equipment, a dedicated resident medical doctor and a nurse to cater for staff who need primary health care. Psychological support by a psychologist on a speed-dial for face to face or virtual sessions to take care of employees’ mental wellbeing. To improve the Physical Wellbeing of employees, the Bank has made provision for all employees to sign unto a global virtual fitness programme with some category of employees signed unto a Gym/fitness centre of their choice.
The bank boasts of an onsite radio station, washrooms and dedicated parking slots for the physically challenged, drivers’ rest room, ergonomic chairs and multiple sets of furniture to provide staff flexibility (team working spaces, concentration desks, adjustable tables, etc).
Standard Chartered Ghana, with this award, adds to its list of growing awards which include the Best Bank in Innovative Digital Marketing 2021 and Best Bank, Diversity and inclusion 2021- World Marketing Awards, Best Wealth Management Bank 2021 – Global Economic Awards and Global Business Outlook Awards and underscores its brand promise, Here for Good.
Organized by Instinct Wave, a Publishing B2B event management company located in Ghana, Nigerian and UK, the Africa Human Resources Innovation Awards is an annual celebration of leading Human Resource Practitioners and organizations with top-notch HR models who have made remarkable contributions to the corporate sector over the years.