The well-being of our employees has always been a top priority, and we took several exceptional measures this year to ensure our team’s safety and well-being. In keeping with local public health recommendations, our corporate office in Ottawa has been closed for much of the past year, making working from home the new normal for everyone. Even when re-opening was authorized, nobody has been forced to return to the office at any point this year. For the few who did, strict safety protocols were put in place to keep them safe.
As an organization, we made sure everyone was equipped and supported to work from home. We also created an internal COVID Response Team to reflect on how best to adjust to our new reality and to look ahead to the future of our organization and our members.
We also recognize that this has been a difficult year for many of our employees. Lockdowns, school closures, isolation and worries about vulnerable relatives can take their toll after months of pandemic. As an employer, we made sure to remain flexible and surveyed our staff regularly to keep track of their well-being and help us address some of the stress we have all been dealing with, while providing access to external support.