BOV brings grief and psychological safety into workplace well-being push

Bank of Valletta has turned its attention to a subject many workplaces avoid: grief. In partnership with the Karl Vella Foundation, the bank organised a well-being workshop for employees in Rabat, tackling compassion, loss, and psychological safety.

The event featured two sessions delivered by Mark Calleja, a professional in Training and Human Resources Management with expertise in Consciousness and Transpersonal Psychology from the Karl Vella Foundation.

The first session, titled “Grief – The Price of Love,” explored how individuals and families experience loss differently and underscored the importance of support during difficult times. The second, “Psychological Safety and Compassion at the Workplace,” examined how compassion, trust, and connection can strengthen well-being, relationships, and the workplace.

Employees had the opportunity to speak openly about grief, challenge the stigma surrounding it, and take part in conversations about a subject that is often avoided. The sessions resonated strongly with attendees, many of whom highlighted the value of creating a safe space in which to explore and better understand the grieving process.

Calleja encouraged more organisations to hold similar events for employees’ well-being, not only to raise awareness on sensitive topics, but also to give employees a safe space to come together and discuss experiences such as grief.

The workshop is part of Bank of Valletta’s ongoing collaboration with the Karl Vella Foundation. The bank has supported the Foundation’s “Because You Matter” programme for years. To date, the programme has supported more than 400 people, with 254 beneficiaries currently receiving emotional support and one-to-one or family therapy.

This service offers emotional and psychological support to patients, donors, and carers who travel abroad for specialised medical treatment. Support includes scheduled phone calls, check-ins, individual therapy, and crisis intervention by mental health professionals.

For Malta’s business community, the initiative signals a growing recognition that employee well-being extends beyond physical health and standard mental health days. Grief and psychological safety are increasingly seen as factors that affect productivity, retention, and workplace culture.

Coordinated by the BOV Corporate Social Responsibility Team, the workshop gave employees an opportunity to pause, connect, and openly discuss grief, mental health, resilience, and emotional well-being. It also reflected the shared commitment of Bank of Valletta and the Karl Vella Foundation to foster a workplace where people feel understood, supported, and comfortable seeking help.