BAT DBS Romania Hub: A Vibrant New Office For An Employee-Centric Company

2024 represents a new beginning for BAT DBS Romania Hub as the company steps into a new era of innovation and excellence. Recently, it moved to a brand-new office that was designed according to ESG principles and aligned with the needs of the company’s employees, where innovative work meets fun and relaxation areas and a lush of green ambiance make every day both productive and rejuvenating. Located in ONE Cotroceni Park, the new office of BAT DBS Romania Hub—recently certified as a Top Employer for 2024—marks a pivotal moment in the company’s journey and proves its commitment to fostering a workplace of distinction. BR talked to the top executives and discovered the synergies between the dynamic new office space and the company’s unwavering dedication to being a top employer

By Anda Sebesi

Once sustainability became a major part of the company’s business approach, the decision to change the office location was a natural step, driven by a commitment to create “A Better Tomorrow” and align it with the BAT sustainability strategy.

“We took a series of aspects into account, with a primary focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. We actively promote diversity and inclusion, engage in environmentally responsible behaviours within our communities, and prioritise employee well-being. This move reflects our commitment to creating a positive impact on both our internal and external stakeholders,” says Mario Calero Leyva, the general manager of DBS Romania Hub.

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Along similar lines, Martijn van Loon, Head of Finance at DBS Romania Hub, says that one of the key objectives was to choose a space that emphasises sustainability and employee well-being.

“The current building is LEED- and WELLcertified, confirming that we share the same ambitions with the new landlord. Additionally, during construction, environmentally-friendly materials were used to reduce waste and ensure the health and safety of builders and partners.”

Collaboration, learning and development, and employee engagement are three concepts that defined the design of the new office space. As a result, there is an entire floor dedicated to collaboration that hosts a big cafeteria, an event hall, a learning area, an innovation room, a café, a library, and an agile working area. As it implements a hybrid work schedule, BAT DBS Romania Hub believes in the power of meaningful connections and shared experiences.

“It isn’t just about work; it is about personal development activities that span work-related projects. We believe that the bonds between our teams facilitate productivity. By enriching personal experiences and networks, we bring our diverse teams together, nurturing our engaging company culture and fostering a sense of belonging,” adds Mario Calero Leyva.

Following its strong learning and development agenda, BAT DBS Romania Hub designed its workspace in a supportive tone for initiatives such as leadership training, professional certification events, as well as mentoring and coaching initiatives. Last but not least, as the company is a true believer in the idea that work should complement life, it’s more focused than ever on its employees’ well-being, taking a holistic approach. As a result, the new office offers great spaces for relaxation through green areas, two well-being rooms with inhouse chair massages, an in-house nutritionist, and a playroom with ping-pong and foosball for playful breaks.

“We also have a dedicated area for on-site fitness with daily classes at the beginning and end of the workday, as well as monthly personal development sessions on matters such as financial education, nutrition, mental health, and enhancing overall well-being. On top of these sessions, our benefits package includes individual psychotherapy sessions as well as many other initiatives, based on our team’s feedback and demands,” says Mario Calero Leyva.

 

The office also is equipped with a flexible floor that can be used for engagement, well-being, and leisure events.

“We’ve also provided our teams with a lot of meeting spaces at different sizes for individual or team work, all equipped with the latest technology. Our floors have been designed using a neighbourhood concept to grant easy access to frequent needs, such as coffee, printing or fresh fruit. Furthermore, in order to enhance productivity, our office has biophilia, sunlight reach, and sunny terraces,” he adds.

As employee safety and wellbeing is the company’s number one priority, the new office is a safe workspace which is aligned with the latest health, safety, and emergency requirements.

“From a well-being perspective, the current layouts and technologies encourage collaboration and support a healthy lifestyle. Natural light, modern ventilation systems, office chair massages, relaxation and gaming areas, and the availability of fresh fruit are just a few examples of how we aim to enhance the well-being of our employees,” van Loon explains.

GLOBAL RECOGNITION

Earlier this year, BAT announced that it has received Top Employer certification in Romania, following a complex evaluation process that certifies employers with best practices in the human resources area.

“This achievement certifies that we are aligned with best inclass processes being constantly focused on People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Well-being, and many more. BAT DBS Romania organisation is not just a workplace, but a platform for personal and professional growth. We support the career of our employees in a global scale, with 6 DBS hubs across the world. Our strong organisational culture has been proven by our positive employee engagement feedback. Being certified as a Top Employer showcases our dedication to a better work environment and highlights this through outstanding HR policies and people practices,” says Merve Mutlu, Head of HR at BAT DBS Romania Hub & Global HRBP.

Having a positive and engaged company culture is a top priority for BAT DBS Romania Hub. As its employees are the most important assets, the company truly believes that an engaging organisational culture sits at the heart of innovation and creativity.

“We take pride in being an organisation where employees are not just heard, but actively listened to. In this sense, our strategy is centred on our people’s voices, as we collect feedback from them in a bi-annual global survey, making sure that every colleague’s concerns, aspirations, and suggestions are taken into consideration,” Merve Mutlu adds.

Currently, BAT DBS Romania Hub focuses on four key areas. The first is all about a flexible work environment and employee well-being, achieved by fostering social responsibility and providing its people with access to the best mental health services.

“We promote a flexible working model to support both the professional and personal lives of our employees. After the pandemic, we implemented a hybrid way of working. During office days, we invest our time in collaboration, moments that matter, and team celebrations,” Merve Mutlu says.

Second, the company focuses on recognizing and celebrating the successes all together. The third priority is talent development: the company has a robust L&D agenda in place, which is aligned with BAT’s global guidelines and customised for the DBS Romania population.

“Our learning and development strategy targets different needs, from the junior level up to the most senior,” Merve Mutlu explains.

Finally, the company deploys a robust leadership strategy, with regular crossfunctional connection sessions that serves as a dynamic platform where its leadership team cascades strategic insights, unveils the latest developments, and celebrates its collective success.

STRONG COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING

In an era where employee well-being is recognised as a cornerstone of success, BAT DBS Romania Hub stands out with a robust commitment to fostering a workplace that prioritises mental and physical health, fitness, and overall holistic wellness. Grounded in a philosophy of personal commitment and responsibility, the company’s approach is both innovative and human-centric.

“Understanding that well-being is multifaceted, BAT DBS Romania Hub has curated a comprehensive set of benefits and programmes. These extend beyond the traditional realms of physical and emotional well-being to encompass financial and social aspects, fostering a ‘whole’ person approach. BAT DBS Romania Hub’s well-being strategy is a testament to its dedication of creating a workplace that goes beyond professional growth, emphasising the overall wellbeing and fulfilment of its diverse workforce,” says Radu Costan, Head of EHS and Wellbeing BAT DBS Romania Hub.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

BAT DBS Romania Hub has a very active community of Learning Influencers, an informal network of staff members who are passionate about learning and stimulate social learning by organising “sharing clubs” for their teams.

“We are so excited about moving into the new office, as we’ll have many collaboration spaces, which provide more opportunities to learn and grow together and inspire each other. We are firm believers in #OwnYourDevelopment, in giving each employee the power to drive their own personal and career development— and learning is a big part of that, as it opens up interesting career opportunities for everyone who’s keen on expanding their skills and take on new challenges,” says Andreea Funieru, DBS Global Learning & Development Manager.

Employee well-being at BAT

• FLEXIBILITY: BAT promotes a hybrid remote working model, facilitating improved work-life integration.
• SMART FINANCE: Monthly finance workshops covering topics like investing, finance for families, and efficient loan management.
• SOCIAL INITIATIVES: From First Aid Sessions to Blood Donation campaigns, employees are actively engaged in activities with a high social impact.
• COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH PROGRAMMES: Health insurance, screenings, vaccinations, employee assistance, regular medical checkups, office chair massages, on site nutritionist support and on site aerobic classes and availability of fresh fruit and mixed nuts.
• DISCONNECT & BE CREATIVE: BAT encourages employees to unwind through painting and cooking ateliers, harnessing creativity.
• VOLUNTEERING INITIATIVES: Beyond the office, BAT DBS Romania Hub continues to plant trees for every new joiner, as we are sowing the seeds of a thriving, sustainable, and socially