Our commitment to wellness
TELUS is committed to fostering a healthy workplace where team members can achieve their full potential. Our aim is to create a workplace of choice that incorporates best practices in health and wellness and offers diverse programs based on our organizational needs. The wellness strategy adopts a holistic approach to overall health and well-being. The Wellness team continues to educate and inform team members about how they can proactively manage their health and well-being. We currently track our program utilization and survey team members for feedback in order to refine programs and services.
In 2011, we expanded our Healthy Minds strategy. This mental health initiative is aimed at expanding team members’ knowledge and reducing stigma around mental health and illness. We offered on-demand workshops and 16 national webinars focusing on mental health awareness.
Throughout 2011, we extended the reach of mental health awareness to support leaders assisting team members with challenging personal issues and crises. The awareness communications campaign included a series of webinars that were attended by 854 team members, including 234 senior leaders. The results of a healthy living survey we will complete in 2012, along with feedback from the webinars, will guide any refinements we need to make to our strategy.
TELUS provides team members access to several complimentary wellness programs, and others that are available at a discounted rate, such as:
- National screening programs for blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and body mass index
- B.C. Mammography Screening program onsite in the Lower Mainland in partnership with the B.C. Cancer Society
- Flu vaccinations
- Naturopathic immune support clinics, offering a complementary approach to well-being during the cold and flu season
- Healthy foods in all vending machines, catering services and cafeterias
- Comprehensive leadership support services, including counseling to help leaders manage difficult issues faced by teams or individuals
- Team member and family support tools
- Corporate rates established with close to 100 fitness partners nationally and more than 20 onsite fitness facilities
- Onsite practitioners for massage, naturopathy and various other services
- Flexible childcare services designed to meet specific and changing needs of families through a variety of services and partnerships
- Partner For Life with Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec, delivering onsite clinics and promoting offsite participation to fill the urgent need for blood in our communities
- TELUS Quit Smoking Recognition Program, which reimburses team members for the cost of their program if they remain smoke-free for one year after treatment.
In 2011, wellness programs were available to every team member in TELUS, offered through various mediums including national information webinars and video workshops which were accessible 24/7. One of our goals for 2011 was that 80 per cent of team members nationally had access to face-to-face wellness programs. Our records indicated that 71 per cent of team members participated in 2011.
The tracking formula changed in 2011 to reflect actual participation rate in wellness programs. In past years, we tracked “opportunity” to participate at onsite events. Beginning in 2011, we tracked the actual participation rate for all virtual and onsite events as we believe this shows more accurately the uptake of our offerings.
Healthy Measures
Approximately five per cent of TELUS team members were screened through the Healthy Measures program in 2011. Results have shown a reduction in health risk factors related to chronic illness for those who have participated in health coaching programs following the clinics. This program will continue to run semi-annually. Team members are encouraged to take advantage of personal health coaching available through our Employee and Family Assistance provider. This coaching allows team members to address chronic health indicators and understand the behaviour modifications needed to live a healthy lifestyle and reduce their health risks. Fifteen per cent of all team members who participated in the health screening program in 2011 enrolled in health coaching.
Active Living
We are constantly looking at new ways to support and encourage healthy life habits. We increased the number of fitness partnerships and launched a newly designed online Active Living challenge. This 11-month, online challenge was created to encourage team members to either begin a fitness regime or enhance their fitness levels. This two-tiered national challenge had a base program that was customizable for team members who were starting their active living journey and more advanced programs for those who needed to enhance their current active lifestyle. The challenge ended in November 2011 with 1,041 team members participating. Feedback from the challenge will be used to enhance future challenges we intend to offer.
In 2011, we achieved 20 per cent participation in our onsite fitness facilities. We fell short of our 2011 goal of 25 per cent participation due to the implementation of the Work Styles program, which encouraged more team members to work remotely, thus impacting our onsite participation rate. Due to the continued advancement of the Work Styles program, we expect onsite participation to decline based on an increase in remote work arranagements.
TELUS International
As part of the overall benefits provided to team members at TELUS International, we offer onsite clinics staffed by a medical team, fitness facilities and recreation partners that offer discounts to team members. In addition, healthy food choices are available in our cafeterias.
TELUS International University’s Special Interest Groups organize health and wellness programs for their fellow team members through their outdoor adventure and cooking clubs. Team members enjoy mountain trekking, climbing, running and healthy food preparation.
A Healthy Living sports tournament, free flu shots and some in-house fitness classes are offered to team members at TELUS International Philippines and TELUS International Central America.