Alberta's Top Employers (2025) Magazine - Flipbook - Page 18
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ALBERTA’S TOP EMPLOYERS (2025)
Quality of life comes first at Alberta Blue Cross
W
hen Percy Dela
Cruz was pondering
a career move, he
knew he wanted to
work with an organization that
serves the broader community.
In 2023, he joined Alberta Blue
Cross as an executive assistant
and found himself at an employer
that is generous with its benefits
and programs. “Alberta Blue Cross
has a legacy of giving back to the
community, which is a good thing
to be part of,” says Dela Cruz.
Alberta Blue Cross is the largest
benefits provider in the province
and one of the largest in Western
Canada. In his early 50s, Dela
Cruz, whose division encompasses
people, wellness and innovation,
has only one lament: “I wish I had
started earlier with Alberta Blue
Cross!” he says. “I coordinate the
service awards and am amazed at
how many employees are celebrating more than 20 years of service –
your contributions, no matter how
big or small, are recognized.”
Celebrating achievements and
supporting employees’ wellbeing are important ingredients
to fostering happy, healthy
employees. “Knowing we’re
making a positive difference in
the lives of our customers and
communities – as well as our team
members and their families – is
our mission and our common
purpose,” says Brian Geislinger,
senior vice president, corporate
relations and community
engagement.
Since 1998, the employee-led
Hearts of Blue charity has
supported grassroots charities and
not-for-profits across the province
through donations and volunteerism. And through Days of Giving,
employees can take a few hours
out of their workday to volunteer
with local charities.
“This gives our people a chance
to get involved in their community
and allows them to see and
connect with the charities we
support,” says Geislinger, who
over the last few months has
helped build a school playground
and has served Thanksgiving
dinner to disadvantaged seniors.
At the same time, Alberta Blue
Cross has a thriving culture
due in part to an employee-led
Employees at Alberta Blue Cross volunteer through Hearts of Blue, the organization’s internal charity.
committee that coordinates social
events throughout the year like
pickleball, bowling and movie
nights to help connect everyone in
casual settings.
We have consistently
committed to promoting
well-being, long before
wellness became a
workplace trend.
— Brian Geislinger
Senior Vice President,
Corporate Relations and
Community Engagement
Dela Cruz appreciates the focus
on physical and mental health,
both in the workplace and outside
of it. He and his husband go to
the office gym three times a week,
and last fall he took a self-defence
course and kickboxing classes,
which Alberta Blue Cross subsidized. “They really look after you
here,” he says.
For those working at the office
or remotely, the organization
ensures that everyone is supported
with their set-up and with
technology. “Quality of life and
balance comes from being able to
work where they are most productive, not always spending hours a
day commuting” says Geislinger.
“We have consistently committed
to promoting well-being, long before wellness became a workplace
trend.”
Lunch and learn sessions on
such diverse topics as financial
literacy, pension planning
and psychological hygiene are
available to all employees. Senior
