The Canada Life Assurance Company has a plan to gradually return its employees to office work, and will be implementing a number of measures to ensure their safety.
The company revealed in a statement that over 95% of its workforce has been working from home since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In recognition of their hard work during this difficult time, Canada Life will be giving its more than 11,000 employees two paid leave days on July 02 and 03, allowing employees to celebrate a long Canada Day weekend.
“Three months ago, we asked our employees to be flexible, adaptable, creative and resilient in the face of great change, disruption and uncertainty,” said Jeff Macoun, Canada Life president and chief operating officer for Canada. “We are so proud everyone rose to the challenge, as we knew they would, so we could continue to be there for our customers, advisors and each other every day.”
After the Canada Day weekend, Canada Life will gradually increase the number of employees returning to the office, starting with those with critical roles that are best performed on-site. The company also said that by the end of October this year, about 25% of its employees will potentially be back in the office.
According to Cathy Weaver, Canada Life senior vice-president of human resources in Canada, the company has implemented new standard protocols to ensure the safety of employees. Distancing will be the new norm, and all employees will be provided with reusable masks. All team meetings will also continue to be conducted online through the summer. Travel restrictions will remain in place.
“Our goals are to keep employees and their families safe, and to keep our business moving forward and growing for our advisors and customers,” said Weaver. “We’ve created new ways of working that will be part of our lives long after COVID-19 has gone.”
