How Mediclinic put employee support at the centre of a difficult transition
2025 WINNER · Human Resources and talent management
Mediclinic’s winning entry dealt with a difficult moment in working life: organisational restructuring. Its June 2025 hospital consolidation in Abu Dhabi affected approximately 260 employees. The response focused on clear information, dignity and practical support throughout the transition.
What they did
Named HR contacts, townhalls, FAQs and individual meetings helped employees navigate the process. Counselling was available on site and remotely, alongside a 24-hour helpline.
Career support included priority consideration for internal vacancies, recruitment-agency partnerships, interview preparation and online learning. Workshops addressed settlement processes, financial planning and adapting to change.
The team planned pulse surveys during and at the end of the notice period, so that employees’ experience of the support could inform future practice.
What the entry shows
The entry recorded 75 workshop attendees and 42 EAP attendees. After one month, it reported that 66% of impacted staff said they had been treated with respect and empathy and provided with support.
That result is an early signal, not evidence of universal satisfaction. Evaluation was still ongoing, including feedback from employees and HR teams. The story is about the support provided through a difficult process, rather than claiming the process removed its emotional impact.
What others can learn
Care should remain visible when an organisation is making difficult decisions. Clear answers, a named person to contact, independent emotional support and practical help with the next step each address a different source of uncertainty.
Measuring how employees experience that support also creates a basis for learning, including where the response falls short.
Based on the organisation’s original 2025 mentl awards submission. Figures and observations are those reported in the entry.
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