Switzerland’s second-largest bank has a large majority of its staff still working from home, even after most pandemic-induced restrictions have been lifted by the government. And the bankers seem to appreciate their new work environment.
The information about the widespread use of home office among Credit Suisse staff coincided with yet another steep increase of new infections reported in Switzerland. The government counted 220 new cases of Covid-19 infections on Thursday, which was the biggest increase since the end of April.
Credit Suisse appears to be well prepared for another surge of cases and the eventuality of a renewed lockdown. Four out of five of its staff are still working from home, the bank said in connection with the half-year report on Thursday. The bank provides the opportunity of home office for 90 percent of its workers.
Anti-Body Test Program
It has also run an anti-body test program for its Swiss-based staff, with 6,000 such tests made available. It now plans to roll out a similar program for its staff in other countries.
Furthermore, the bank showed a willingness to accommodate the concerns among its staff that arose when parents weren’t able to find childcare during the school closure this spring. Bankers were paid during the time they spent looking after their children.
Mutually Supportive
The bankers have responded well to the approach taken by their employer, with 92 percent of respondents in an internal survey saying they felt well supported and informed by the bank. Maybe the bank soon faces a dilemma of how to get its bankers back to the office.
