McKesson - TravelSmart Staff Making a Difference
McKesson Medical Imaging, a healthcare IT company located in the Richmond based Airport Executive business park, has built a thriving TravelSmart program from the passion and drive of their management and staff.
As the company's office is not on a frequent transit network, commuting for its approximately 800 employees was a challenge. Parking was limited, and though McKesson offers the Employer Pass Program (with an additional further discount of $20 on annual passes), transit was not always convenient. Select bus routes were available, along with a shuttle running from the business park to the local Bridgeport SkyTrain in the morning and afternoon peak periods, however, a significant number of McKesson's staff were single-occupancy drivers, relying on their cars for their daily commute.
Between their Employee Advisory and Environmental Committees, great changes have occurred.
McKesson's Environmental Committee identified this as a problem and McKesson's Employee Advisory Council had recommended implementing Flextime programs in an effort to improve work/life balance by reducing lengthy commutes while reducing the company's carbon footprint. This resulted in a pilot telework program and compressed work week implemented in 2008.
The pilot proved to be a huge success, resulting in McKesson's Medical Imaging Group adopting these initiatives as permanent work options for its staff. Employees were thrilled, and post-pilot evaluations showed improved work/life balance as staff had greater work flexibility, and minimized commute issues, while also reducing environmental impacts for the company overall.
McKesson's management has promoted TravelSmart initiatives for years, with transit pass support, cycling facilities, ride-sharing and events such as Bike to Work Week (coming in 1st in their company-size category in 2010!). However, their Environmental Committee has continued to be a key driving force for developing and maintaining many of their TravelSmart strategies, procedures and programs.
McKesson's Employee Advisory Committee listens to staff concerns and suggestions, then takes these to management. As a result, great changes have occurred. Initiatives have been developed and rolled out across the company, with direct HR support and internal website, newsletter and other communication tools keeping staff up-to-date on TravelSmart options and policies.
Not only have employees indicated positive response to McKesson's TravelSmart policies (through feedback and their annual staff survey), but McKesson management also recognizes these as tools the company has come to rely on for employment recruitment and retention.
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