By conducting a comprehensive needs assessment, the company identified the factors that would most improve employee health and wellness, such as striking a better balance between work and family life and reducing stress. These issues, among others, laid the foundation for the Corporate Health Plan. All this is paying dividends. While turnover for the average high tech company sits at around 10 percent, MDS Nordion has recorded turnover just under 6 percent since 1994 - a major accomplishment in a sector where skilled workers are regularly being lured away with higher salaries and better perks. Annual sick day usage per person has also declined consistently since 1993, from an average of about 5.5 days to less than 4 days average per person per year.
Wellness is a win-win situation for employees and the company.
Walking down MDS Nordion's corridors, one gets the feeling that staff truly enjoy coming to work. In fact, many customers still refer to them as Central - a throwback to the days when operators where at the hub of telecommunications. Over the past five years, the business unit has redefined itself by capitalizing on new business opportunities. Today, total revenues remain strong, despite the decrease in revenues from traditional sources, such as directory assistance. Other indicators, including levels and trends in the quality of services provided, operational excellence and customer and employee satisfaction, are solid and often set the benchmark for the industry.