Workplace management

Demand has soared for mental health services as bank employees put in long hours, supervise kids while working at home and endure personal crises. Citi, BofA, Fifth Third and others are getting creative to help them decompress during the pandemic.

The memo from CEO Michael Corbat acknowledged the challenges many employees have faced working remotely during the coronavirus outbreak while taking care of family members and home-schooling their children.

As the coronavirus outbreak starts to ebb in New York and pressure rises on the U.K. government to end London’s lockdown, the largest banks are grappling with how to adhere to social distancing rules.

From paying $1,000 bonuses to branch employees to subsidizing child care expenses, banks are offering a slew of new perks for front-line employees still working and more paid leave for those who are ill or caring for sick family members.

Management at the Oklahoma City bank prides itself on listening to employees, and embracing the volunteer policy suggested by the chief marketing officer is just one example of that.