Health and safety
Scotiabank believes in the importance of health and safety for employees and customers in all our locations.
In Canada our Occupational Health and Safety Program is reviewed and updated annually, to meet the unique needs of the financial services sector. Two new intranet portals were created in 2012, through which important health and safety information can be shared with OHS Workplace Committee members and OHS representatives.
Globally, local HR partners monitor workplace health and safety in their area of responsibility and report on compliance through the Bank's compliance framework.
On April 26, 2012, Scotiabank offices around the world again participated in various events to recognize World Day for Safety and Health at Work. Across several locations, Scotiabank hosted vendor events with participation from organizations such as the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Diabetes Association, Extreme Fitness, Shepell•fgi and Staples. The event at Scotia Plaza in Toronto attracted more than 1,000 participants.
The theme of this year's World Day celebration was "Being Green on the Job," which focused on the safe and efficient use of electricity, eco-friendly office materials and equipment, and waste management processes. Employees were encouraged to submit their suggestions for greening the environment. The winning teams each received a CAD$500 VISA gift certificate.
Over 105 teams entered the contest, and the winning entries were from Mandeville, Jamaica and Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada.
Wellness
Scotiabank's strategic approach to health and well-being supports, encourages and promotes sustainable health and lifestyle changes of employees and their families. By incorporating wellness into policies and programs, it becomes an integral part of the Scotiabank culture, leading to happier, healthier, productive and engaged employees, both at work and at home.
In 2012 Scotiabank launched Scotia Vitality, a health and wellness website for employees in Canada and their family members. The site provides a rich database of information tips and tools in the areas of home, health, work and wealth. Three interactive employee challenges were launched through Scotia Vitality in 2012:
- Scavenger Hunt Challenge to promote the launch of the site and encourage employees and their family members to visit and learn more about Scotia Vitality
- Healthy Recipe Challenge
- Walking Challenge
The following continue to be part of Scotiabank's wellness programs and are available to employees:
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their eligible dependents in Canada and several international locations. EAP provides confidential, professional counseling and specialized services, such as support to quit smoking, work-life solutions, nutritional counseling and mental health management.
- WorkAssist program (for Canadian employees), a voluntary counseling support service offered through EAP, which primarily focuses on emotional and mental health.
- Health Assistance Program (HAP), a telephone service in Canada offering practical, personalized support for non-urgent physical health issues and health-related lifestyle choices.
- Best Doctors, a service that connects seriously ill Scotiabank employees (and their eligible dependents) and their treating physicians with world-renowned specialists to confirm the right diagnosis and treatment options, without employees having to leave home.
- Workperks, Scotiabank's employee discount program, which provides employees and their families, as well as retirees, a variety of savings opportunities including items and services related to health and well-being.
