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![]() Insuring Wellness - A Century in the MakingThe Great-West Life Assurance CompanyWinnipeg , ManitobaThe Great-West Life Assurance Company is a life and health insurer founded in Winnipeg in 1891. Together with its Canadian subsidiaries, London Life and Canada Life, it serves the financial security needs of 12 million Canadians. For many Canadians, their link with Great-West is through their employee benefits program. Recognized as a model philanthropist, Great-West’s national program for corporate citizenship, named Key to Giving, provides financial contributions to charitable and community organizations across the country and encourages community involvement of staff and financial security advisors. For example, this philosophy is evidenced by Great-West’s corporate support of the National Quality Institute, a non-profit organization helping Canadian businesses achieve excellence through healthier workplace environments. In fact, of the minimum 1 per cent of average pre-tax profits donated each year by Great-West, a large percentage is allocated to organizations dedicated to workplace health and advancing knowledge of major health concerns. As an example, 29.8 per cent of the $8.4 million donated directly to charitable organizations in 2004 supported the health and wellness category. Great-West has long been viewed as a top employer in Winnipeg. The company continues to attract staff with its workplace amenities and its profile in the community. “As a leader in group and disability insurance, Great-West has a natural interest in encouraging improved workplace health,” states Jim Johnston, Senior Vice-President of Corporate Resources. The company promotes wellness in the workplace both through its Key to Giving support of health-related organizations and its active headquarters environment. “There is a cliché that says: Strong bodies - strong minds, but we really do believe that to be true. If someone is physically fit and well, it does have a positive impact on their ability to do their job,” Johnston adds.
A Workplace in ActionGreat-West provides its headquarters staff, numbering more than 2,500, significant enticements to stay active at work. The company has an on-site fitness centre available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week, free of charge. It features locker and shower facilities, fully equipped rooms for cardio and weight training, as well as an aerobics room where noon-hour classes are offered twice daily during the work week. For a nominal fee, set significantly lower than other fitness centres in the city, staff can participate in after-work fitness classes such as Pilates, yoga, karate and even belly dancing. The Great-West corporate headquarters is also home to an award-winning cafeteria. Recognized by the Heart & Stroke Foundation, it offers nutritional choices deemed and certified Heart Smart, such as a daily salad and sandwich bar. As well, the workplace boasts more than 2,000 plants and greenery, helping boost indoor air quality. Outdoors, a scenic landscape, which blends well with the nearby provincial legislative grounds and the Winnipeg River Walk trail system, flaunts numerous flower gardens, benches and a picnic area. The result is a relaxing environment where employees can enjoy fresh air and activity during work breaks!
Wellness InitiativesGreat-West offers a variety of supports to staff to encourage better health. For example, the Winnipeg headquarters has an on-site medical and wellness office which provides blood pressure verification and over-the-counter medications. It also has a resting area for staff if the need arises. The wellness office organizes several health and wellness-related seminars and activities throughout the year. Recent examples include:
As well, the company employs a Family Services Coordinator who invites guest speakers to discuss issues like parenting, childcare and eldercare. Recent topics of discussion include:
The Family Services Coordinator also provides referral and counselling services for staff seeking additional services. Furthermore, Great-West’s confidential Employee Assistance Program provides staff free access to professional counselling to help them deal with issues including health, financial, legal and family concerns. Resource materials on such topics and others are available from Great-West’s own wellness library. Great-West staff are also encouraged to participate in various active living initiatives led by other organizations:
Recreational and Social ActivitiesGreat-West’s Staff Club has been organizing events and sports leagues at the Winnipeg headquarters for more than 90 years. A full-time Recreation Coordinator helps the Staff Club plan and budget for recreation days or evenings, where any of the following staff leagues can play:
Both employees and retirees are also invited to participate in social activities which are planned by an elected executive committee, including a bowling and billiards night, sports day, curling bonspiel, ski trips as well as an annual dinner and dance.
Employee Involvement in the CommunityGreat-West also supports and promotes fundraising, volunteer and community awareness activities among staff. The motivation is simple: corporate volunteer teams who support charities have a great impact. They stay active, have fun and build team spirit - all while raising money for great causes. Organizations that provide research, advocacy and care to people and their families affected by conditions such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease and stroke have also benefited from Great-West employee involvement. Some examples of 2005 participation include:
In addition to the individual pledges and corporate matches collected by the participating staff members, the company also covered team registrations, and provides recognition to celebrate team efforts.
Communicating WellnessGreat-West also publishes a weekly newsletter for Winnipeg staff. Among other items, it often highlights personal staff experiences, including the following stories of exceptional active living efforts:
ConclusionWith well over a century of experience insuring the life and health of Canadians, The Great-West Life Assurance Company is also clearly a pioneer and champion of promoting of active living at work. For more information, please email: contactus@gwl.ca
Click here to see the full archive of case studies and to access information on the seven principles of highly successful physical activity in the workplace programs. |