The Challenge

Like many organizations throughout Canada, MDS Nordion in Kanata, Ontario (a company specializing in radioisotopes, radiation and related techniques to treat disease) underwent a series of major changes during the 1990s. In 1991, this former crown corporation was purchased by MDS Inc., a private-sector health sciences company.

To accomplish a successful transition from a crown corporation to a competitive, privately controlled company, MDS realized that they needed a strong organizational culture with healthy employees. Led by the Vice President of Human Resources, MDS Nordion set out to establish organizational support for employees to enhance their health and well-being (Health Canada, 2002).

Action Taken

The company began the process in 1992 by conducting a comprehensive needs assessment of the factors that were most important for maintaining employee health and wellness. Eighty percent of employees participated. Issues such as stress reduction and striking a balance between work and family life were identified.

The results of the needs assessment guided the development of the Corporate Health Plan, a comprehensive workplace health promotion policy to improve the physical and social workplace environments and give employees access to a range of resources to improve their health. A Volunteer Advisory Committee was established to develop the plan.