At PMI, the well-being of our employees isn’t just a priority; it’s woven into the fabric of our company culture. We believe that fostering a supportive work environment, conducive to good mental health, is essential for every employee to thrive. We seek to promote an environment that supports employee wellbeing as an enabler of professional and personal fulfillment, sustainable high performance, and business results. Our vision is to provide an environment that nourishes people’s energy.
Employee engagement is one of the cornerstones of our approach to mental health. Through campaigns and initiatives, we aim to highlight the importance of both mental and physical health, normalizing conversations around these topics and providing resources for support. One of our most impactful efforts in 2024 was the “BeWell Challenge.”
The “BeWell Challenge”—promoting self-care
This standout initiative—part of PMI’s ongoing campaign to promote self-care and remind employees to seek help when needed—engaged over 4,000 participants and garnered widespread positive feedback and leadership support.
Organized by PMI’s community of “BeWell Champions,” the BeWell Challenge ran through January 2024 and encouraged employees to undertake daily activities that positively impacted their mental and physical health. Featuring 12 activities, such as “Word of the Year,” “Wonders of the Great Outdoors,” and “Plan your Dreamscape Escape,” each task aimed to inspire reflection, physical activity, and creativity.
A crucial element was the variety of voices: Employees from a range of regions, functions, and backgrounds shared messages reinforcing the importance of well-being. This approach emphasized the global reach of PMI’s workforce while fostering unity around mental and physical health.
This mix of compelling content and strategic timing resulted in significant internal social media engagement, with over 220,000 views and comments.
“The posts hit the right note and resonated deeply within PMI,” said Alexandra Chernova, BeWell co-lead and Head of CX—Digital Channels. “They were thought-provoking and prompted our multicultural community to define their aspirations for 2025. And it was easy for colleagues to engage, feeling that others had similar hopes and objectives. The quantity and tone of responses, likes, and shares spoke for itself.”
The BeWell Challenge underscored PMI’s dedication to creating a supportive environment for all employees. By engaging employees in proactive self-care, PMI is continuing to embed well-being as a cornerstone of our corporate culture and overall strategy.
Meet PMI’s BeWell Champions
It begins with listening—truly listening. For example, when a colleague confides that they’re feeling overwhelmed, the listener shouldn’t just nod and move on; they should stay present, offer support and practical advice, or just an empathetic ear. At PMI, the BeWell Champions—everyday employees who have committed to fostering a culture of care and understanding—do exactly that.
But BeWell Champions are more than volunteers. They are driven individuals who engage in supportive conversations, empowering colleagues to develop healthier habits and view mental health as a regular part of workplace discussions. Champions undergo specialized training to ensure they can support others effectively while maintaining their own well-being.
For example, although they are not therapists themselves, they can signpost employees to PMI’s global Employee Assistance Program (see below), and benefit from the program themselves.
One of the most powerful tools in a BeWell Champion’s kit is the ability to start meaningful conversations. A friendly chat can be the lifeline someone needs on a difficult day. Champions have learned to recognize when a colleague might be struggling. They know how to initiate these crucial discussions and direct others to available support services, creating an environment where asking for help is normalized and encouraged.
Since its launch in 2022, the enthusiasm for becoming a BeWell Champion has been inspiring. The first cohort included 20 Champions from diverse regions and roles within PMI, and their impact was felt immediately, with various activities and initiatives taking root across the company.
The number of Champions has now grown to over 400 across 30 countries, including 90 trainers, allowing adaptation for local languages and cultures. This localized approach strengthens the system, making it both widespread and personalized.
Support when you need it most: The Employee Assistance Program
Imagine facing a personal crisis in the middle of the night, stress piling up, and worries about work and home life intertwining. Challenges don’t follow a schedule, and neither does support. Understanding this, at PMI we provide the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), a 24/7 support service, available via phone or online, whenever someone needs it most.
EAP offers confidential, round-the-clock support to employees and their families, covering everything from psychological counseling to practical advice on managing life’s demands. It’s more than just a helpline—for some it can be a lifeline.
The EAP helped me making up my mind and supported me in deciding to seek psychological support for me and my child.
Virginie Austruy, a senior CC project manager, shared her story: “I wasn’t sure whether I needed psychological support in relation to a family situation and wasn’t ready to make a doctor’s appointment to talk about it. The EAP helped me making up my mind and supported me in deciding to seek psychological support for me and my child.”
Support is just one click away: People can call, log in online, or use the mobile app. A friendly care navigator is at every employee’s fingertips, ready to guide them through personalized care plans addressing their unique situation. Whether it’s stress, anxiety, financial troubles, or relationship issues, the EAP provides up to six counseling sessions per issue each year.
The road ahead
At PMI, our efforts to prioritize mental health are showing tangible results. Our Well-Being Index (more information can be found in our Integrated Report 2024) is a key metric for gauging PMI’s progress and in October 2024, it stood at 83 percent. We aim to maintain it above 80 percent going forward, and there are positive signs that we can achieve this. One of the questions in the survey that contributes to the Index is: “Do you feel that PMI cares for your well-being?” The percentage replying positively to this rose by six points from the previous year.Looking ahead, the path is clear: PMI is committed to building an environment where mental health is not just a talking point, but a foundational aspect of our company culture. It’s about more than just offering support—it’s ensuring that every employee feels empowered to prioritize their well-being. With our growing network of BeWell Champions and ongoing campaigns and challenges dedicated to dismantling stigmas about mental health, the future of well-being at PMI is bright, and the journey is just beginning.
