In an effort to encourage employees to ride to work while promoting an eco-friendly, healthy and economical mode of transportation, Nations Trust Bank recently launched its CYCOLOGY #OfficeByBike2022 initiative, which has since seen high levels of staff participation and enthusiasm.
Following its introduction in June 2022, over 100 cyclists across all verticals including the senior management to junior staff have participated in this initiative kickstarted by the Bank’s Sports & Welfare Club. Nations Trust Bank has also committed to supporting its employees by providing riders with a complimentary cycling kit as well as continuous training and workshops on bike maintenance and safety to ensure safer riding on city streets.
Speaking on the camaraderie built around this initiative, Ramanika Unamboowe, Executive Vice President – Human Resources at Nations Trust Bank said, “Nations Trust Bank made a collective decision that rising above the ongoing crisis through novel concepts will ensure that our staff are content, healthy and able to continue serving the nation. A huge thank you goes out to our Sports & Welfare Club for establishing this timely initiative and their continued efforts to bring the Nations team closer together. #OfficeByBike2022 and all its encompassing elements is the culmination of the Bank’s spirit, especially during a time where hybrid work has become the norm.”
Safe parking spaces in security-patrolled areas and facilities for showering and changing are also offered to riders on top of the authorised flexible working hours to avoid riding during peak traffic times. Standing as an additional motivator for staff to reclaim their independence to move around, a special bicycle loan will also be offered to all staff to purchase standard or electric bicycles at a concessionary rate.
“The amount of excitement and participation showcased by the bank staff for CYCOLOGY #OfficeByBike2022 has been beyond our expectations. I am truly humbled to see how the group of riders has evolved from just riding to work to organized fun rides as well as endurance rides out of the city. We look forward to introducing more initiatives to boost our staff’s physical health as well as their mental health,” said Chamila Sumathiratne, the President of the Sports & Welfare Club.
Paralleled to all these initiatives, standing as a true testament to Nations Trust Bank’s values in terms of equality for all staff, a knowledge sharing session on Diversity in Cycling called Women on Wheels (WOW) was organised for all the ladies who make up the Bank’s workforce. Conducted on the 27thof July by Dharshini Ariyaratne and Ayomi Aluwihare Gunawardene, the topics discussed at the session were beginner challenges, health and safety tips, dress codes, managing family affairs and myths about physical capabilities. Ariyaratne is the Co-founder of Pedal Pushers, Sri Lanka’s first recreational cycling club and the Head of Languages at Asian International School Colombo and Gunawardene is a Corporate/Commercial Law Precedent Partner at FJ & G De Saram.
