Recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers (2023) and BC's Top Employers (2022):
Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Nov 17, 2022)
Here are some of the reasons why TELUS Communications Inc. was selected as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers (2023) and BC's Top Employers (2022):
- TELUS launched a formal work-from-home strategy back in 2006 called "Work Styles," which includes a variety of alternative working arrangements in addition to working from home -- the company has also expanded their suite of virtual care offerings, from virtual health care services to a dedicated expense (to $1,000) to fund their home offices
- TELUS Garden, the company's corporate headquarters in Vancouver, is LEED Platinum-certified for its many energy-saving (and producing) features, including 300 rooftop solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and 10,000 square feet of outdoor garden terraces on six different levels
- TELUS' charitable program is guided by a "give where we live" philosophy with the company and its employees (as well as retirees) supporting numerous charitable and community organizations -- and employees are encouraged to get involved directly with paid volunteer time and matching charitable donations
TELUS is committed to the well-being of its team
Every spring and fall, Candy Fu, project manager at TELUS Communications Inc., champions her favourite wellness program at work – the TELUS Well-being Challenge, a four-week company-wide initiative focused on healthy activity.
“Our team members get really excited about it,” says Fu. “Every day, people encourage each other and share to see what we’ve accomplished, whether that’s 10,000 steps or virtual yoga. It feels like we’re doing this all together although we’re spread out across Canada.”
The popular program fits in well with the Vancouver-based company’s holistic approach to wellness, covering physical, psychological, social, financial and environmental well-being, reflecting a strategy designed with cultural evolution in mind. The activities are designed using behavioural science insights to help team members form long-lasting well-being habits. People can participate as individuals or join a team to compete in different types of healthy activities in a way that’s meaningful and personalized for them.
Fu, who works from home, says the wide variety of wellness programs that TELUS offers are important to her because of their built-in sociability, so she doesn’t feel isolated from her co-workers. She also appreciates the array of benefits and resources, including $5,000 for mental health support annually and access to mental health employee assistance programs, plus a free premium subscription to the mental health app Calm.
“Booking a virtual mental health consultation through the TELUS Health MyCare app made me realize it was easier to access mental health care than I had thought,” says Fu. “Our leadership also stepped up to make us more comfortable about getting support. I can talk freely with my staff about mental health care programs.”
Over the past year, senior executives opened up to team members about their own issues with anxiety, sharing how people can manage a mental health issue with the right tools and support and still be successful at work at the highest levels. Sandy McIntosh, executive vice-president, people & culture and chief human resources officer, says the reaction to those revelations has been fantastic.
“People have come out and started sharing stories about their challenges with anxiety and other issues,” says McIntosh. “When senior leaders start talking to us about their own vulnerability and using the mental health support that we’ve put into place, it opens up the culture and makes us stronger.”
Currently, about 25 per cent of employees and their families access their mental health benefits annually and over 11,000 are active users of the Calm app.
“During the pandemic, we had a very big uptake on counselling and therapy and are still getting a good uptake where team members are using that $5,000 benefit,” says McIntosh. “We were surprised so many activated the Calm app, but people used it at night to do mindfulness and help their children with anxiety. It was what people needed at the time.”
As people transition back into the office, she says, what they want and need is more human interaction along with continued flexibility.
“People want to continue working from home and coming into the office when they want, but what we’ve found is that they’re coming into the office with more purpose than before, often for a social event,” says McIntosh. “Being social is a necessary part of the culture. There are some team members that we hired in 2020 and 2021 who have never met their manager in person.”
“Our flexible approach to working supports well-being so that people can have the balance they need,” she says. “We have an incredibly strong culture.”
Recognized as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers (2022):
By Kristina Leung and Stephanie Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Mar 7, 2022)
Here are some of the reasons why TELUS Communications Inc. was selected as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers (2022):
- TELUS conducted over 30 roundtables and focus groups in 2020 with more than 1,200 employees representing the diversity of the company's workforce -- and held dedicated roundtables with senior leaders on the topic of understanding racial injustice and systemic racism
- In 2021, TELUS established the REACH resource group for employees who identify as Black, and their allies -- the group has three strategic imperatives: to identify and address potential systemic racism and impediments to growth; to create opportunities through education and practical learning events that develop skills and provide ongoing opportunities; and to ensure representation where opinions and ideas are shared through the company's lens with regards to internal programs and processes alongside our external marketing messages
- TELUS' Connections Network has a membership of over 5,400 women and allies in 22 chapters across Canada and internationally -- the network has three primary strategic objectives of supporting women in their career choices, fostering a community of connected women, and influencing corporate culture on gender issues
Recognized as one of Canada's Greenest Employers (2022):
Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Apr 19, 2022)
Here are some of the reasons why TELUS Communications Inc. was selected as one of Canada's Greenest Employers (2022):
- TELUS' head office in downtown Vancouver is LEED Platinum-certified and features rooftop solar panels, triple-glazed windows, a rainwater harvesting system for non-potable water, outdoor terraces, and state-of-the-art building control systems -- the company's second LEED Platinum office tower in downtown Calgary was completed in 2020 and is designed to generate more energy than it consumes
- TELUS actively encourages employees to work from home through its formal "Work Styles" program, designed to assist employees in adopting flexible work arrangements and reduce the number of trips to and from the office -- the company is also making significant investments in transforming offices from the traditional workstation-focused layout to social workspaces that reflect modern work culture which promotes collaboration, innovation, connection and well-being
- TELUS has a longstanding partnership with Tree Canada to offset its paper usage through tree-planting initiatives and during the pandemic, has made donations to plant and nurture over 38,500 trees with partnership programs
Recognized as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2023):
Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Jan 23, 2023)
Here are some of the reasons why TELUS Communications Inc. was selected as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2023):
- TELUS manages a rotational leadership development program to help kick-start the careers of new graduates, hiring grads for a 24- to 36-month placement in finance, marketing and engineering disciplines -- participants gain hands-on experience through multiple business roles, receive coaching and mentoring, interact regularly with senior leadership, and participate in a number of formal and informal development opportunities
- New graduates in the finance and engineering rotational leadership development programs are also provided talent assessment training and have the opportunity to participate in the recruitment process to hire new graduates for the program in the following year
- TELUS offers new graduates exposure to senior leadership, at least twice a year, through networking and learning events on topics such as strategy, personal development, and inclusive leadership
Lifelong learning is fundamental at TELUS
When Sarah Coveney joined the graduate technology leadership program at TELUS Communications Inc., she didn’t expect to find her passion in cybersecurity, fighting fraud and hacking.
Like many new grads, Coveney wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her electrical engineering degree. After looking at the different telecom companies, TELUS stood out for her because of its strong community involvement and environmental initiatives, as well as offering an ideal rotational program where she could try three different technology roles.
“I thought I’d really like wireless networking, but felt drawn to cybersecurity, a completely different department – which was great,” says Coveney, now a security consultant. “Ultimately, I ended up being on a fraud and analytics focused team because I was really interested in solving problems that come up when there’s fraud or hackers. I’d definitely credit it to the guidance that my mentors gave me and being able to talk to different members on different teams.”
Coveney also appreciates that TELUS promotes having a good work-life balance with very flexible hours that help in managing life outside the job, as well as supporting employees in their career development.
“I feel the company not only cares about the work you’re doing, but you as a person,” says Coveney. “You set quarterly business and personal goals, plus development ones as well. Then, your managers and leaders help you sign up for the courses you want and suggest different ways you can build on your skill set. If you’re curious about a different field, they’ll never stop you. TELUS wants you to always be learning new skills and developing.”
Debbie Oster, vice president, talent acquisition & development, says TELUS provides lots of opportunities and programs to encourage lifelong learning and to help employees with their goals. That includes unlimited access to a wide range of curated programs on an integrated learning platform available to all. Team members also meet with leaders on a bi-weekly basis to discuss performance and objectives.
“The quarterly goals are quite audacious as the idea is to stretch yourself,” says Oster. “We do a lot of teaching to help all the team members and leaders know how to do proper quarterly goals, and we find that the personal development goal resonates specifically with our young team members. Because you’re meeting on a regular basis, you’re being held accountable to your goals.”
TELUS has a formal MBA program with the University of Victoria and tuition reimbursement for courses at outside institutions, whether people are working on a bachelor’s degree or building up their technical skills. The company also partners with McGill University in a one-year program for top talent with high potential.
“Everything connects back to our values, including our learning programs and how we select, develop, retain and assess,” says Oster. “Half of your performance bonus is rewarded on what you completed and the other half is about how you completed it based on our values. It’s about being passionate about our customers and communities first, embracing change, innovating courageously and growing together through spirited teamwork.”
So what do young people ask most when looking at TELUS?
“Our social purpose, and that what they’re doing connects to a greater good, are very important,” says Oster. “They want to be doing something of value. What has to be in place is a role that’s giving them a chance for marketable skills and for growing and developing.
“We’re a people-oriented organization. You’re going to thrive at TELUS if you have a curiosity to learn, are highly collaborative and always looking to be better.”
