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Background
Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) became a founding member of the Working with Cancer Pledge initiated by media company Publicis Group in December 2022. With support from top executives LBG aimed to create a workplace culture where employees impacted by cancer could feel supported and bring their whole selves to work. By carefully crafting pledges that incorporated the respective journeys of people with a diagnosis, their caregivers and their managers, together with research-based actions, LBG demonstrated its commitment to address cancer stigma within the organisation and provide a psychologically safe environment for their employees.
Approach
LBG initiated a comprehensive communications campaign creating awareness of their pledges within the organisation and beyond, including at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2023. Just that simple act of showing that the bank cared and was listening resulted in an outpouring of support and personal story sharing, the likes of which were unprecedented in the bank.
In partnership with a range of stakeholders, LBG carried out a three-month research project into its colleagues’ experiences relating to cancer. To immediately support colleagues the organisation launched several initiatives including a peer support community, monthly colleague support calls and a dedicated information hub. Training programmes to educate managers on how to sensitively support individuals affected by cancer were also initiated.
Outcome
The cancer initiative had a significant impact within the organisation. More than 600 employees shared their stories, there are 250 active members of the affected by cancer community and it grows daily with more than 80 colleagues participating in private chat to support one another. For example, one group executive shared his own cancer journey with their business area of some 28,000 people during an all-colleague call and included further updates in quarterly newsletters.
A three-year strategy based on extensive employee research was developed to further support individuals affected by cancer. Manager training for all managers launched in July with the aim of training all 15,000 people managers within a year. Training for 40 support buddies who will deliver 1:1 support to colleagues going through a cancer journey is planned. These buddies will act as a critical friend during this key moment that matters.
With research-based action and commitment from top leadership, LBG has made significant strides to create a psychologically safe and supportive work environment, encouraging open dialogue and support for those affected by cancer. The initiative earned LBG the position of UK lead partner for the Publicis Group’s Working with Cancer Pledge, and other major financial institutions and charities have reached out to LBG to learn from its approach and commitment to breaking down workplace cancer stigma.