Building a Culture of Care at Mercedes-Benz.io

At Mercedes-Benz.io, wellbeing isn’t a side quest, it’s core to how we work, grow, and connect. Taking care of ourselves, and each other, is essential to building the kind of culture where people can truly thrive. That’s why we’re intentional about creating space for it.

Giving structure to these Initiatives

Wellbeing Month is one of those spaces. It’s a moment to pause, reflect, and explore the different dimensions of wellness. This year, we focused on physical, mental, emotional, and social wellbeing through different sessions, conducted by external experts, as well as activities led by our very own MB.ioneers. From talks to mobility breaks and conversations around burnout prevention, this initiative reflects something deeper: a shared commitment to caring, connection, and community.

At the heart of this year’s edition was Débora and our People Experience & Rewards team, whose vision helped turn intention into action.

In today’s fast-paced and hyper-connected world, it’s easy to lose sight of our wellbeing amidst daily demands,” Débora shared. “Initiatives like Wellbeing Month are important because they create intentional space to support the many dimensions of wellness: physical, mental, emotional, and social. They remind us that taking care of ourselves isn’t a luxury - it’s foundational.

And they are not alone in that belief. According to the World Health Organisation, for every $1 invested in mental health and wellbeing at work, companies see a $4 return in improved health and productivity (WHO, 2019). Similarly, a 2022 report by Deloitte found that organisations with strong wellbeing strategies see 55% higher levels of employee engagement and 42% lower turnover rates.

As one of the main organisers, Débora was focused not only on bringing people together, but on aligning our wellbeing efforts with what matters most to our community. She and her team curated a month-long experience that wasn’t just nice to have - it was needed.

The strong interest in topics like food labelling or burnout prevention showed how curious and engaged our people are,” she said. “And seeing peers step up to lead sessions or share personal tips reminded me how generous our community really is.

The goal was clear: to move beyond the surface and create a space where wellbeing is embedded into how we connect, learn, and support one another. With every session, conversation, and shared experience, Wellbeing Month helped reinforce Mercedes-Benz.io’s identity as a people-first organisation, where performance and care grow side by side.

Over the past few weeks, we explored different dimensions of wellbeing through a series of sessions - each one offering practical insights and inspiration for healthier, more intentional choices. From nutrition and mental health to movement and everyday habits, these sessions brought expert knowledge and personal stories to the table. Here’s a quick recap of what we covered:

Workplace Wellbeing: Evidence-Based Nutrition and Food Label Guidance

In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining healthy eating habits can be a challenge — especially for busy professionals constantly on the move. This talk with Dr. André Marçal (from HealthWithUs) was designed to provide practical, evidence-based guidance on how to build healthier eating routines and decode food labels effectively, empowering us to make informed choices in our everyday lives. 

Burnout vs Stress: Knowing the Difference and Responding Effectively

Sometimes, the lines between stress and burnout are often blurred, making it difficult to recognise when normal pressure has evolved into something more serious.

In this talk with Dra. Mariana Ferreira (from PULSO), the goal was to provide a clear understanding of the differences between stress and burnout, equipping MB.ioneers with practical tools to identify early warning signs, apply preventive strategies, and take informed steps toward recovery. Whether you’re supporting yourself or others, understanding these concepts is essential for long-term wellbeing and performance.

The Path to Effective Communication in Group Contexts

This talk with Dra. Nélia Bento (from PULSO) was conceived to teach simple strategies to make our social relationships in the workplace and beyond more positive, and to discover how to use our own distinctive style of interaction to our advantage, whether in our closest personal circle of relationships or with interlocutors with whom we interact due to professional necessity. Plus, to become aware of the real impact of our style of interaction on others and use our distinctive characteristics to create a better environment for ourself, whether in interaction with peers from the same "tribe" or different stakeholders.

MB.ioneers Leading with Care

Besides the informative sessions with external speakers, we also had great contributions from our very own MB.ioneers. Among those peers were Alice and Ghazaleh, who each brought their unique perspectives to the table — quite literally.

Alice, with her love for seasonal cooking and simple, nourishing meals, contributed with a spring-inspired recipe crafted to be accessible for colleagues across locations. She carefully chose ingredients that reflected both ease and flavour, encouraging everyone to reconnect with food as a form of self-care and community.

Some of the most joyful and relaxed moments in the office happen around food. It’s where real connections are made.

That got your attention, didn’t it? Meet Alice — our resident foodie and creator behind @apalipicepe on TikTok. Whether it’s clever meal prep hacks, go-to comfort recipes, or kitchen tips that actually make life easier, she’s always serving up something good. When it comes to food, she’s the voice we trust — on and off the screen. 

Ghazaleh, a strong advocate for movement and mindfulness, designed mobility sessions to offer our teams a moment to breathe and reset, even during the busiest days. Her approach reminded us that wellbeing doesn’t need to be time-consuming or complicated to be effective.

You don’t need to overhaul your life. Try a 10-minute walk or swap one snack for something more nourishing. Listen to your body - not just your calendar.

But this didn’t happen by chance. Outside her day-to-day role, Ghazaleh has turned her passion into a certified pursuit — holding multiple qualifications from the International Sports Science Association in Nutrition, Strength and Conditioning, Bodybuilding, and Personal Training. With that expertise, she guided us through four 30 minute sessions very different from each other: from Yoga and Full Body Pilates, to Strength-Focused Full Body Yoga and a Stretch and Core routine. A well-rounded approach led by someone who lives what she shares.

These moments, driven by community members, show the true spirit of Wellbeing Month: MB.ioneers lifting each other up in simple, meaningful ways. They remind us that wellbeing doesn’t just belong to HR, leadership, or a designated month — it thrives when it’s shared. When people feel empowered to contribute, support, and take care of one another, it becomes part of the everyday rhythm of our culture.

A Culture of Care, All Year Round

Wellbeing Month may only take up a few squares in our calendars, but its impact goes far beyond. It strengthens a culture where people feel safe to be human, supported to grow, and encouraged to show up for one another — in small ways, every day.

And we’re not stopping here. With every talk, stretch break, and community-led initiative, we’re reinforcing a powerful message: you matter. Your health matters. And there’s always room at the table — whether for soup, a chat, or a shared laugh.

At Mercedes-Benz.io, wellbeing is more than an initiative. It’s part of who we are.