As a modern, caring, and inclusive employer, Westland is committed to redefining wellness by prioritizing our employees' physical, mental, emotional, social, professional, financial, and community well-being. From innovative healthcare solutions to inclusive initiatives, discover how we cultivate a culture where well-being thrives at every level.
How we do things differently
Prioritizing employee wellness goes beyond offering traditional wellness packages. “At Westland, we recognize that wellness encompasses a healthy body, a sound mind, and a tranquil spirit,” says Sneha Fidelis, Benefits Specialist.
Westland offers a diverse range of initiatives designed to cater to the unique needs of each individual and family. From pharmacogenetics and disability plans to mental health support and social inclusion programs, we strive to create a supportive environment, keeping employee well-being at the forefront.
Listening to our employees: Amplifying voices
"We have an active listening strategy to ensure that our benefits meet the needs of Westland's employees," emphasizes Laila Lee, Senior Director of People and Performance. "Decisions are made collaboratively, with input from our employees through various channels such as Amplify Your Voice (sentiment survey), town halls, ERGs (Employee Resource Groups), and pillar committees. Our pillar committees support our vision to be Canada’s favorite insurance broker by developing and executing initiatives in our key focus areas of employees, clients, community, partnerships, and acquisitions."
At Westland, we understand that true well-being stems from inclusivity and belonging. That's why we foster open dialogue between managers and employees, support diversity and inclusion initiatives, and empower employees to contribute and guide decision-making through pillar committees, our Culture and Brand Ambassador program, Diversity Council, and ERGs. Employee feedback is encouraged and actioned, or if it can’t be, communicated transparently.
Taking a multi-dimensional approach
Wellness isn’t one size fits all, and individual needs also change over time, so we offer a wide range of benefits that address the many facets of employee well-being, similar to i4cp’s holistic well-being model:
Physical health: In addition to offering a range of options for group health benefits, we also offer healthcare spending accounts, pharmacogenetics, gender affirmation, dietician services, and various treatments, including anti-obesity, smoking cessation, and fertility. In other words, we provide robust healthcare solutions tailored to individual and family needs.
Prioritizing employee wellness goes beyond offering traditional wellness package
Mental and emotional health: Our mental health support includes neuroplasticity techniques and a global Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that reflects our dedication to mental well-being. Our global EAP even offers an option for employees to select a provider from anywhere across the world, so care can be provided with cultural relevance in their language of choice.
Social health: Through programs like Amplify Belonging and Values Days and offering flexible work schedules and hybrid work, we foster a sense of connectedness to others, inside and outside of work. Amplify belonging is our diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging program, which aims to identify and remove barriers so everyone can grow to their potential and create a culture where all people belong. Paid Values Days provide flexibility for employees to celebrate days that are important to them, such as taking the day off for their birthday.
Financial health: With RRSP matching, TFSA personal savings options, discounted management fees for RRSP and TSFA, access to fee-free financial advisors, and complimentary legal advice, we empower employees to secure their financial futures. Westland is also one of the only Canadian employers offering Dayforce Wallet, allowing employees to get paid as they earn it without having to wait for payday.
Career health: Our Amplify Success program (performance and goal setting program), robust training programs, a wide range of online learning, tuition support, and mentorship initiatives offer professional development opportunities for growth. We’re also launching Career Explorer, which empowers employees to explore opportunities and develop personalized development plans for advancement, career changes, and skill-building at Westland.
Community health: At Westland, our community vision is to be an authentic and invested community member. We encourage our employees to get involved by offering paid Volunteer Days and many opportunities to get involved in causes that make a positive difference beyond the workplace. Check out our Community Impact Report to see what we’ve been able to accomplish collectively. Westland is also proud partners with Pride at Work, the Canadian Association of Black Insurance Professionals (CABIP), and the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI).
Measuring success and continuous improvement
"We measure success not only by quantitative metrics but also through feedback from our employees," explains Leah Stewart, Senior Manager, Payroll and Benefits. "By doing what's right for the individual and leveraging insights from our Amplify Your Voice program, listening strategies, and using an inclusive lens when reviewing benefit offerings, we ensure that our wellness initiatives remain relevant and impactful."
We continue to partner closely with our providers to stay ahead of trends and ensure we offer holistic benefits that cater to all employees and make a positive difference in their daily lives.
As we evolve, we remain committed to prioritizing employee well-being by listening and acting on feedback and insights from our teams.
Advice for organizations
For organizations wanting to prioritize employee wellness, Lisa Chong, Manager of People Programs, offers valuable advice: "Start by actively listening to your employees and involving them in the decision-making process. Well-being is multifaceted, so try to offer a diverse range of initiatives tailored to different dimensions of wellness. Keep up regular communication to stay ahead of changing needs. And most importantly, always prioritize doing what's right for the individual."
Well-being isn’t a goal – it’s a journey. By embracing a holistic approach to employee wellness, we go the extra mile to nurture the health and happiness of our employees with wellness coverage that goes further.
