Fenix: Building a culture of care at Amadeus
In this video, Fenix members share why the network exists, what it means to them, and how community, empathy, and lived experience help create a more caring and inclusive workplace.
Blog
How Fenix helps employees find community during illness and loss
April 7, 2026
4 Min read
When you’re dealing with a long-term illness, whether your own or a loved one’s, it can be hard to know where to turn. Even when surrounded by colleagues, the experience can feel isolating. Fenix exists to make sure none of us has to face those moments alone.
Fenix is a global Employee Resource Group that supports colleagues navigating a range of health-related challenges: long-term illness, caregiving responsibilities, fertility issues, grief, and other complex life events. What makes the group so meaningful is the combination of lived experience, empathy, and practical help.
Just coming up on its second anniversary, Fenix has become a space where you can talk openly, learn from people who have been through something similar, and understand what steps might help you move forward.
To help explain what Fenix is and why it matters, we recently created a short video with colleagues who share their lived experience. It’s a simple but powerful way to hear directly from the community.
Videos
After many years working in Airline IT, I thought I understood the kind of challenges people face at work, but illness brings a different kind of uncertainty. When Fenix started two years ago, I was supporting my wife through a terminal illness, Pulmonary Fibrosis. The Fenix group wanted to ensure both those experiencing a long-term illness and those caring for family and loved ones with a long-term illness were also supported, so I became involved.
As the group grew, I had the opportunity to support others by sharing my experiences as a caregiver to my wife during the Fenix group calls, and colleagues then reached out privately to ask for advice or simply to talk. Being able to help someone else feel less alone was incredibly meaningful.
Last year, shortly before my wife passed away, I received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease, a degenerative neurological condition. This has given me the perspective of seeing the impact long-term illness can have, both for the individual and also those around them.
I have found colleagues in Fenix who have understood what I was going through - not because they had read about it - but because they had lived it. They offered me reassurance, shared their own experiences, and provided me with practical support. That support has meant the world to me, and reminds me that all of us, at some point, will face moments in life when we need a bit of guidance and understanding.
What’s new in Fenix this year
Over the past year, Fenix has continued to evolve based on what employees say they need most:
- The network has expanded its specialized peer support groups, covering topics such as infertility, acquired disability, cancer, grief, and more.
- Participation continues to grow across Amadeus, with regular webinars focused on different aspects of living with long-term illness or supporting someone who is.
Fenix ambassadors in different regions now represent a wider range of lived experiences, making it easier for colleagues to speak with someone who understands their situation.
How People & Culture is supporting this work
The People & Culture (P&C) team has played an important role in strengthening the inclusion and wellbeing of employees, working closely with Fenix to make sure these conversations translate into real improvements.
Recent actions include:
- Extensive listening sessions across Employee Resource Groups to understand wellbeing priorities and how to best support colleagues facing long-term illness.
- A pilot program in Spain, developed with input from Fenix, that introduces new guidelines for managers and P&C when employees take or return from extended medical leave.
- A French initiative that allowed colleagues to donate time-off to colleagues on extended leave has been expanded beyond France and recently rolled out to Bulgaria.
"Fenix has the full backing of Amadeus leadership. It’s about creating a space where everybody feels they belong, no matter what they are going through – and that’s the kind of culture we are proud to build."
Ana Doval Chief People & Culture Officer, Amadeus
A reflection
One thing I’ve learned through this journey is that many of us try to put on a brave face at work, even when life feels unsteady. Fenix has shown me that allowing oneself to be vulnerable – and trusting others enough to show it – can make all the difference. When we share our experiences, we often realize we’re not as alone as we thought.
For me, and for many others, the simple act of talking to someone who understands can make a difficult moment feel lighter. As I often say, a problem shared is a problem halved.
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