Over the last year, Morneau Shepell Ltd. has implemented innovative strategies that have fostered openness, diversity and well-being, according to its inaugural corporate social responsibility report.

The company introduced new diversity and inclusivity practices in March 2018, implementing a board diversity policy to maintain a minimum of 30 per cent women and 30 per cent men. To advance this commitment, it also joined the 30% Club. As well, three of its nine board directors are women, and more than 40 per cent of the board are women or racial or ethnic minorities.

It also created a diversity and inclusion council in early 2019 with a mandate to oversee the creation and execution of a plan to further inclusivity efforts.

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In 2018, Morneau Shepell also took steps to improve communication with employees by hosting chief executive officer breakfast meetings and all-employee calls to create an open environment for its staff to share their perspectives on topics and receive guidance on the company’s purpose, values and business strategy.

According to employee engagement surveys, these meetings were successful in promoting transparency and fostered discussions of importance to employees, who appreciated the opportunity to speak with executive leaders.

A 30/60/90-day survey was also introduced for new employees to ensure they were successfully settling into their roles and allowed them to ask questions and eliminate issues that might have occurred early in their careers.

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Another initiative implemented by Morneau Shepell was engaging employees through community and culture. In 2018, it launched a community and culture committee plan, focused on increasing employee engagement and helping staff feel more connected to the business. The committee designed a program to advance total health care across physical and mental health, work and life.

It also renewed its healthy enterprise elite certification with the Bureau de normalization du Quebec in 2018. The certification recognizes Quebec businesses that promote healthy employee lifestyles and workplaces, with ongoing improvements in individual health. Its programs included hosting a series of sporting events, information sessions and services to promote health and creating ergonomic workstations.

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The organization further promoted health care in November 2018 by introducing a digital employee assistance program, LifeWorks, which provides counselling and access to online resources that support physical, mental, social and financial well-being.

As of January 2019, 62 per cent of Morneau Shepell employees reported using the app.