The health, safety and security of Scotiabank employees is a priority across the organization. Our Occupational Health and Safety policies and programs are predicated on adherence to regulations that shape workplace behaviours, particularly preventative measures that raise awareness and best practices that promote a healthy and safe environment.

Scotiabank’s Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Program is based on the principles of OHSAS 18001, a standard set by the ISO/International Organization for Standardization. In 2008, Scotiabank developed a new online training program to acquaint employees with the key components of our Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. In addition, a number of web seminars on various training topics, including ergonomics, wellness, and conducting workplace inspections, were launched to members of Scotiabank’s Occupational Health & Safety Committees.

• OHS committees exist in locations with more than 300 people. This includes 11,610 employees at 14 worksites across Canada (approximately 35 per cent of our Canadian workforce). Employees at all remaining sites are represented by a health and safety representative. Ten of our global workplaces have collective agreements in place that address health and safety, in consultation with union representatives, which are consistent with the Bank’s comprehensive health and safety policies.

• Through a combination of workplace health and safety committees, health and safety representatives, a corporate health and safety policy committee (committees include management and employee representatives), and a number of support functions throughout the Bank (e.g., Security, ScotiaHealth, Operations and Employee Relations), we engage employees in all aspects of health and safety, from prevention to issue resolution. Employees can raise concerns through the committee/ representative system, or can escalate them through regular channels.

• Scotiabank offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to employees and their eligible dependents in Canada as part of its commitment to employee health and wellness. An external provider administers and runs this confidential program on behalf of Scotiabank. The EAP provides professional counselling services and specialized services designed to support employees’ wellness objectives, such as nutritional counselling, smoking cessation, work/life solutions and mental health management.

• The WorkAssist program is a voluntary counselling support service offered through EAP, which primarily focuses on emotional and mental health. It is designed to help employees on short- or long-term disability benefits return to healthy and productive living. In addition, WorkAssist can help those employees who are at work but who may be struggling with stress, anxiety or depression.