Case Study: Richmond Hilll Municipality achieves significantly lower absenteeism (7.7 days lost per employee) with TELUS Health

Richmond Hilll Municipality - Customer Case Study

Richmond Hill, a Southern Ontario municipality of about 170,000 residents that employs 658 staff, faced rising benefits costs driven by an aging workforce and growing mental health issues. To address absenteeism proactively, the town set a strategic focus on prevention, early intervention and return-to-work support.

In partnership with Morneau Shepell (EFAP) and Sun Life Financial, Richmond Hill implemented an integrated program of health and nutrition workshops, subsidized and free fitness options, preventative screenings, a public wellness website, and an extended sick-leave management program — all with a strong emphasis on mental health and readily available EFAP support. The results show a markedly lower absenteeism rate: 7.7 days lost per employee in 2011 versus a municipal average of 10.5 days, a public sector average of 12.9 days, and a private sector average of 8.2 days.

Richmond Hilll Municipality