Case Study: Informal Support Networks

A company that Takes Good Care of its Employees

Project Background

A Canadian company operating in remote and isolated communities in Northern Canada faced unique challenges related to the well-being and healthcare of its employees. The company’s workers are often deployed to work in harsh conditions where access to healthcare facilities is limited and the risk of serious illness or injury is higher. In light of these challenges, the company recognized the need to ensure that their employees’ healthcare preferences and values were well documented and communicated in the event of a serious illness or medical emergency. These preferences included where workers would want to be flown for treatment, how they prioritized the quantity of life versus quality of life, and who should be contacted in case of an emergency. The company partnered with us to create the appropriate documentation and facilitate workshops to help employees articulate and record their values and preferences.

Mandate

We were mandated to develop a comprehensive set of documents that would allow employees to outline their healthcare preferences, ensuring that the company could respect their wishes in the event of a medical emergency or serious illness. Additionally, we were tasked with designing and conducting workshops where employees could openly discuss their values and preferences, ensuring that the documentation was accurately completed. The workshops aimed to provide a safe and supportive environment for employees to reflect on important healthcare decisions while also addressing any concerns or uncertainties they might have. The objective was to ensure that all employees, regardless of their location, had clear and actionable healthcare plans in place. We were also asked to evaluate the impact of the workshops and determine if this initiative could be adapted for other companies across Canada.

Methodology

A. Data Collection and Analysis

We began by reviewing the company’s existing healthcare policies and procedures to identify gaps and areas where the employees’ values and preferences were not adequately addressed. With this information, we developed a set of customized documentation templates, including forms for workers to record their treatment preferences, emergency contacts, and decisions regarding life-extending treatments. To support the documentation process, a series of workshops were designed, each aimed at helping employees articulate their wishes for treatment in the event of a serious health issue. During the workshops, we facilitated group discussions, role-playing scenarios, and case studies to help employees better understand the importance of end-of-life and emergency care planning. Pre- and post-workshop surveys were conducted to assess employees' comfort levels, engagement, and any changes in their understanding of the documentation process. Qualitative feedback was also collected through group discussions and individual reflections to understand participants' emotional responses and insights.

B. Results Dissemination

After the workshops were completed, we compiled the results from the evaluations, including employee feedback, survey responses, and overall satisfaction. The findings highlighted that employees appreciated the opportunity to reflect on their personal healthcare preferences in a supportive environment, and many reported feeling more empowered in making healthcare decisions. Some participants even expressed that the workshop was unexpectedly enjoyable and fun, citing the interactive activities and discussions as positive aspects of the experience. These results were shared with the company’s leadership team to demonstrate the effectiveness of the workshops in meeting their objectives and ensuring employees' preferences were well documented. Additionally, we worked with the company to create a report that outlined how the workshops and documentation process could be adapted for use by other companies across Canada, providing them with a blueprint for implementing similar initiatives in their own workforce.

Impact

The workshops and the resulting documentation had a significant and lasting impact on both the employees and the company. Employees felt more secure knowing that their personal healthcare preferences were clearly documented and could be acted upon in the event of a serious illness or emergency. The interactive and engaging nature of the workshops helped to normalize the conversation about serious health issues, making it easier for employees to discuss and plan for these scenarios. The feedback from participants demonstrated that the workshops were not only informative but also enjoyable, helping to foster a sense of community and trust within the company. Moreover, the initiative proved to be scalable, with the potential for adaptation by other companies operating in remote or isolated environments across Canada. The program set a new standard for employee healthcare planning, ensuring that companies could offer a similar level of support and preparedness to their workers, no matter where they were based.

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Note: this service is offered in collaboration with Plan Well Guide