{"id":347154,"date":"2025-08-15T18:13:14","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T18:13:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/347154\/"},"modified":"2025-08-15T18:13:14","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T18:13:14","slug":"fintechs-urged-to-prioritise-employee-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/347154\/","title":{"rendered":"Fintechs urged to prioritise employee mental health"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\/
\nDemulla employees during a weekend gateway team building. <\/strong>[Juliet Omelo, Standard] <\/p>\n

Human Resource professionals have called on fintech companies and other financial institutions to invest more in employee mental health and well-being. \n<\/p>\n

While warning that burnout and workplace stress are silently eroding productivity, the experts said team-building retreats and fun corporate activities are not mere luxuries but critical business strategies for boosting staff morale and output. \n<\/p>\n

Speaking during a leadership and workplace wellness forum in Bungoma, James Mwangi, a corporate wellness consultant said many organisations think a staff retreat is just an expense affair.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

Follow The Standard
\n channel
\n on WhatsApp<\/a>
\n <\/p>\n

\u201cIn reality, it\u2019s an investment with measurable returns improved teamwork, reduced turnover, and sharper problem-solving skills,” said Mr Mwangi.<\/p>\n

READ:<\/strong> Prioritise mental health issues at the workplace<\/a>\n <\/p>\n

Mental health experts say the fast-paced nature of the financial sector marked by tight deadlines, regulatory pressures, and high customer expectations often leaves employees emotionally drained. \n<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

Incorporating activities such as nature retreats, sports days, creative challenges, and cultural trips can provide a reset that enhances resilience and workplace harmony. \n<\/p>\n

A recent study by the Kenya Institute of Human Resource Management found that companies integrating structured wellness and recreational programs recorded up to 23 per cent higher productivity levels and a significant reduction in absenteeism.<\/p>\n

One fintech firm putting this philosophy into practice is Demulla. \n<\/p>\n

Over the weekend, the Demulla family stepped away from loan portfolios, data dashboards, and client calls to spend quality time together at a vibrant team-building retreat. The goal was simple yet powerful\u2014to have fun, recharge, and strengthen the bonds that make them one united team. \n<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

The day was alive with obstacle challenges, problem-solving games, and bursts of pure laughter. On the surface, it may have looked like \u201cjust fun,\u201d but behind the laughter was a deliberate business strategy. \n<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen teams play together, they collaborate better, trust grows faster, and creativity flows more freely. We may work in different regions,\u201d said Viona Aoko, Branch Manager at Sori Branch, adding, \u201cBut events like these make us feel like one branch, one team. That bond is priceless.\u201d <\/p>\n

Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter<\/p>\n

As the day wound down, the atmosphere became even livelier, with dance challenges, karaoke contests, spoken-word pieces, and the crowd-favorite Mr and Miss Demulla competition.<\/p>\n

Away from the usual office routines, colleagues showcased unexpected talents and personalities, creating moments that helped strengthen connections beyond work. \n<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was great to laugh, compete, and cheer with people I usually only interact with over the phone or email,\u201d said Ivy Emma, one of the company\u2019s collection officer. \u201cNow, when I see their names on a message, there\u2019s a friendly face behind it.\u201d \n<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ \n<\/p>\n

Sir Kelvin Keloti, Demulla\u2019s Managing Director, noted that the company\u2019s success is built purely on the creativity of the employees and that it could only be maintained through such activities that juggle the mind. \n<\/p>\n

\u201cOur success is built on people first. Technology is an enabler, but it\u2019s the energy, creativity, and unity of our staff that truly make Demulla thrive. Fun isn\u2019t a distraction, it\u2019s an investment in the human connections that power our innovation.\u201d \n<\/p>\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Mental health strategies to apply in the workplace<\/a> \n<\/p>\n

Even for newcomers, the experience was transformative. \u201cI felt welcomed into the Demulla family from the very first game,\u201d shared Doreen Amojong, an intern. \u201cSeeing leaders and staff interacting so freely was inspiring, it made me feel like I\u2019m part of something bigger.\u201d \n<\/p>\n

From an HR perspective, Annette Mulama, Head of HR, sees such events as essential. \u201cThese activities remind us that while we work hard, we also need to care for our well-being. Building trust and friendship away from the office enhances collaboration when we\u2019re back at our desks and that shows out in our productivity.\u201d \n<\/p>\n

The return on investment in fun is clear- happier teams, stronger collaboration, and a workplace culture that attracts and retains top talent. \n<\/p>\n

Patricia Nalyanya, Head of Customer Experience PR, and Branding, observes that Fun fuels morale, morale drives engagement, and engagement leads to better results. \n<\/p>\n

\u201cOur clients feel the difference when our teams are united and motivated,\u201d she said. \n<\/p>\n

According to her, Demulla\u2019s approach is exactly the kind of forward-thinking strategy fintechs and other financial institutions should adopt. \n<\/p>\n

\u201cWellness is no longer optional, it is a competitive advantage. When employees feel valued, refreshed, and connected, they return to work with renewed passion, ready to innovate and deliver exceptional results,\u201d said Nalyanya.<\/p>\n

Follow The Standard
\n channel
\n on WhatsApp<\/a>
\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Demulla employees during a weekend gateway team building. [Juliet Omelo, Standard] Human Resource professionals have called on…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":347155,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4317],"tags":[105,218,123036,16,15,6422,16580],"class_list":{"0":"post-347154","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mental-health","8":"tag-health","9":"tag-mental-health","10":"tag-mental-healthworkplace-stress","11":"tag-uk","12":"tag-united-kingdom","13":"tag-workplace-mental-health","14":"tag-workplace-productivity"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115034142188902150","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/347154","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=347154"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/347154\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/347155"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=347154"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=347154"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=347154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}