Canada Awards for Excellence
Recipient ProfileAlberta Blue Cross
2018 Silver Recipient
Healthy Workplace®
As the province’s largest benefits carrier, Alberta Blue Cross provides health and dental benefits to meet the needs of more than 1.7 million Albertans. Employing nearly 1,200 people, the company is a three-time recipient of the Premier’s Award of Distinction for Healthy Workplaces, and is ranked one of Alberta’s Top 70 Employers.
Employee health and wellness has been a focus since 1976 when the organization began offering flexible hours for employees; this was followed by occupational health and safety assessments, ergonomic initiatives, on-site fitness classes and a smoking cessation program. The organization considers not only physical health but also psychological, environmental and social factors. Today, wellness initiatives include: an on-site fitness centre, support for healthy eating at work, partnerships with local service providers, Wellness Champions throughout the workplace, a Healthy Communities Grant Program and employee-led charitable work.
Our annual employee wellness fair allows our staff to interact with local wellness-based businesses and agencies, as well as different health practitioners, around the province.
Alberta Blue Cross employees participated in a fun smoothie challenge as part of a past company wellness initiative.
“At Alberta Blue Cross, wellness is embedded in our company culture. We believe that instilling confidence opens the door to potential. By supporting our employees to live healthier lives and feel valued, they are more engaged to do their best work. And when our employees’ well-being is thriving, they are best able to support themselves, their families, their communities and our organizational goals.”