Cisco Systems, Inc., commonly known as Cisco, is an American-based multinational technology conglomerate corporation headquartered in San Jose, California. Cisco total number of employees in 2021 was 79,500, a 2.58% increase from 2020.

And the California tech giant says it has been determined to monitor the mental health of its nearly 80,000 employees during all the current national and international turmoil.

That’s why Chairman and CEO Chuck Robbins, as well as head of HR Francine Katsoudas, ordered a team of company researchers to create and validate a measure of employee well-being. Representatives of the team shared their process and findings in a presentation at the Workhuman Live conference in Atlanta.

“Focusing on people first has always been our way” according to a post by Katsoudas on the Company blog. COVID-19 tested Cisco’s resolve to be compassionate, understanding, and responsive to the challenges and crises.

She highlighted some of the tools and strategies used at Cisco:

– – Virtual Fitness – Employees and their families can participate in virtual fitness classes and training tailored to their needs.
– – Extending EAP into the community – Our U.S. employees can share a free emotional crisis and support help line with friends and family who don’t have access to resources. We hope this helps to manage the stress and anxiety related to challenges such as COVID-19 and socio-economic issues. And, we appreciate our partners who are helping to offer this service.
– – Telemental Health – As we work to support mental health while reducing the stigma surrounding it, we’ll make it easier for people to find mental health professionals by offering solutions that remove the geographical and physical barriers that prevent access.
– – Rethink – This digital platform helps to support parents of children with a learning, social, behavioral challenge, or a developmental disability. Rethink offers resources and practical advice, along with 1:1 advice with personal phone consultations.
– – Benefits Advisor – Combining both technology and personalized coaching, this solution will help employees make holistically sound decisions regarding their personal health and financial well-being.
– – Chronic Condition Management – Those living with musculoskeletal issues, substance abuse, and diabetes can access digital resources to deepen their understanding and improve their outcomes.

An earlier this year, Cisco published a study showing that hybrid working has helped improve employee wellbeing, work-life balance, and performance across the world.

Cisco’s “Employees are ready for hybrid work, are you?” study found that six in 10 (61%) employees believe that quality of work has improved. A similar number (60%)felt that their productivity has enhanced. Three-quarters of employees (76%) also feel their role can now be performed just as successfully remotely as in the office.

However, the survey of 28,000 employees from 27 countries reveals that only one in four think that their company is ‘very prepared’ for a hybrid work future.