BCGE: When Absence Management Becomes a Strategic Lever

At BCGE, workplace health is not limited to a legal obligation. For several years, it has been an integral part of the bank’s strategic thinking, with a clear commitment to caring for employees. It is in this context that the bank has implemented, with Loyco, a comprehensive workplace health management system.

Starting with long-term absence management, BCGE has built, step by step and hand in hand with Loyco, a holistic approach to workplace health. The idea: include all stakeholders for optimal coordination to promote prevention.

What actions have been implemented and why? An overview of the chosen approach.

Supporting Employees Above All

One of the first steps in implementing the workplace health management system was to rethink the management of repeated or long-term absences.

Extensive work was therefore carried out to co-develop an absence management procedure, which involved HR, managers, and external service providers, including Loyco. This approach made it possible to define a common framework, understandable by all stakeholders.

At the same time, tools were introduced to better detect certain situations, particularly through notification systems linked to repeated absences, managed by Loyapps, our absence management platform. Specifically, when an employee accumulates several absences over a twelve-month period, automatic notifications are sent to managers and then to HR.

The objective is not to monitor the individuals concerned but to create opportunities for dialogue, to ensure they are doing well, to identify any difficulties related to their work environment and, if necessary, to propose appropriate measures or implement return-to-work support.

Evolving Management Practices

Very quickly, a key element became clear: the success of the system depends largely on its adoption by managers.

Beyond tools and processes, it is the approach that must evolve. It is no longer just about noting an absence, but understanding what it may reveal and supporting the employee over time.

This evolution has resulted in significant training work, conducted with Loyco. Managers have been supported to approach return-to-work interviews more confidently, manage repeated absences, and prepare for returns after longer periods of absence.

Internal communication initiatives were also carried out so that everyone understands that the approach pursues a support objective and not a surveillance one.

Multiple Perspectives for a More Nuanced Understanding

In parallel, BCGE has sought to gain greater visibility into absenteeism patterns. Having more detailed data, provided by Loyco, makes it possible to move from a reactive approach to a much more anticipatory one.

Absence analysis is no longer limited to quantitative monitoring. It enables:

identifying trends
spotting at-risk situations
adapting actions accordingly

Regular exchanges between the various stakeholders complement this analysis, particularly in the form of roundtable discussions bringing together HR, insurance providers, and external partners. Among these partners is, for example, the Inter-Company Social Service (SSIE), which supports employees during long-term health issues that do not allow a return to work. This cross-perspective approach fosters a more comprehensive understanding of situations and helps identify concrete support options tailored to each case.

Depending on the situation, personalized support can be offered through care management, with the objective of supporting the individual throughout their return-to-work journey.

A More Holistic View of Health

Over the years, the partnership between BCGE and Loyco has expanded to other initiatives.

The bank organizes vaccination campaigns at its various sites and offers its employees personalized health insurance advice, provided by our experts. An ergonomist, recommended by Loyco, also works to improve the quality of the work environment. All of these actions have strengthened the extensive internal catalog of services related to the health and well-being of BCGE employees.

This holistic approach reflects a strong conviction that we share:
Health issues cannot be addressed only when an absence occurs. They require preventive actions, appropriate tools, and close support.