ECCB 2020-2021 Annual Report and Statement of Accounts

ORGANISATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS

benefits offerings to staff, by reviewing qualifying years of service and minimum Debt Service Ratio.

During periods of mandatory lockdown, the Bank provided two days special leave to allow staff a period of rest and rejuvenation without utilising vacation leave. Annual vacation leave requirements were also amended allowing for further flexibility, however remaining in line with relevant labour law requirements. Health and Wellness The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that creating an organisational culture that promotes health and wellness is no longer ‘a nice-to-have’ but a necessity. Finding ways to encourage and support a healthy work/life balance and the overall wellness of the Bank’s staff remained paramount. This was further demonstrated in the Bank’s early and decisive move to resort to telecommuting to ensure that its staff remained safe from the COVID-19 virus while continuing to serve the people of the region. Virtual counselling service was made open to all staff and special leave days were granted as mental health days to help alleviate the initial shock brought about by the drastic changes of the pandemic. The Bank’s wellness drive continued with the organising of breast cancer screening over a two-day period in October 2020 for all interested staff. This was made possible through an initiative organised by the St Kitts and Nevis Ministry of Health, Wellpoint Medical and Oncology and the St Kitts and Nevis Cancer Society. The Bank has also embarked on a Healthy Business Challenge, another initiative of the St Kitts Ministry of Health aimed at supporting workplaces with their implementation of a health and wellness programme. The Healthy Business Challenge (HBC) is designed as an annual programme divided into three four-month sections. Businesses will be given a challenge and will be judged in the categories of healthy eating, physical activity and overall health and wellness. ECCB S.T.A.R Awards Through its S.T.A.R. Awards, the ECCB recognises and celebrates individuals and the department which exemplify the Bank’s mantra of: Service Excellence, Teamwork and Truth Telling, Accountability and Results. The 2020 Awards recognised staff who went above and beyond the call of duty to advance the transformation of the Currency Union, and these were well received, as this year tested the mettle of staff like no other. The onslaught of the Corona Virus Pandemic forced the ECCB to make the decision to “take the office” home. Staff rose to the challenge of transforming their homes into office spaces while remaining committed to serving the region and making positive impact on the operations of the Bank. The S.T.A.R. Awards are presented in two categories: Department and Individual. There were twelve individual awards. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Bank was unable to host its usual Annual Staff Banquet and Awards Ceremony and so a special ceremony was staged at ECCB Headquarters to present the 2020 awards and light the Campus grounds in keeping with the Christmas season.

During periods of mandatory lockdown, the Bank provided two days special leave to allow staff a period of rest and rejuvenation without utilising vacation leave. ” “

EASTERN CARIBBEAN CENTRAL BANK ANNUAL REPORT 2020/2021 30