Diversity and Inclusion

At TELUS, we are committed to promoting and celebrating diversity and inclusion within our team, our company and the communities where we live, work and serve.

Awards and recognition

In 2020, for the 11th time, TELUS was named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers — an annual competition that recognizes the nation’s leaders in creating diverse and inclusive workplaces.

Ensuring diversity at TELUS

One of the ways that we ensure diversity and inclusion is through our TELUS Team Member Resource Groups, the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board and the Joint Employment Equity Committee, which consists of equal representation from the company and the union.

Throughout the year, company representatives provide committee members with the most recent Employment Equity Report, review a summary of numerical data, answer questions and provide an overview of initiatives outlined in the Employment Equity Plan. This ensures alignment throughout the organization on our plan goals.

Innovation through diversity

Different perspectives, experiences and our inclusive culture help foster innovative ways of thinking that allow us to deliver better insights, decisions and solutions.

Team member resource groups

Our 6 Team Member Resource groups support over 6,000 members. Together, they play an important role in advancing inclusion within our organization and our communities. These groups offer mentoring, networking, peer support, volunteering and coaching opportunities while enabling us to better understand the needs and preferences of our diverse customers.

Note: Photos where social distancing and masks are not shown were taken pre-pandemic.

Abilities Network

The Abilities Network promotes awareness of the diverse abilities in the TELUS team and our communities, with a focus on accessibility and accommodation, to foster inclusiveness, support and personal empowerment.

Connections

Connections empowers, inspires and celebrates the diversity among female team members and is committed to advancing gender equality at all levels, making TELUS a workplace of choice for women in Canada and internationally. Group members participate in leadership development opportunities, volunteer together in their communities, build relationships with our customers and connect with one another at networking events.

Eagles

Eagles was formed to engage, support and inspire Indigenous TELUS team members in the pursuit of excellence in their careers, and to provide a more inclusive professional environment. As a primary mandate, the group also facilitates positive engagement with Indigenous communities.

Mosaic

Mosaic is our multicultural team member resource group that fosters a culture of engagement and partnership with the community to attract and retain top multicultural talent. One of Mosaic’s top goals is to bridge cultural gaps and increase a sense of belonging for all TELUS team members. Over the last two years, membership has more than tripled in size and now has regional chapters in BC, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.

Reach

Reach supports Black TELUS team members and allies to enhance their experience and shed light on the effects of subconscious or overt biases, discrimination and barriers to their advancement. The resource group serves the TELUS family and the community in embracing the Black voice through education, career development and community initiatives to promote an environment of acceptance and recognition.

Spectrum

Our resource group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirited and allied (LGBTQ2+) team members promotes a more diverse and inclusive culture at TELUS. One of the major ways that we demonstrate our commitment to the LGBTQ2+ community is through our ongoing support for Pride events across Canada and internationally.

Our commitment

We’ve made diversity and inclusion central to how we approach everything, from introducing new services and products for our customers to talent and community development. Diversity and inclusion doesn’t live in one department or team; it is the responsibility of every team member and leader at TELUS.

Executive leadership

President and CEO Darren Entwistle champions diversity and inclusion as foundational to the success of our business and our culture. Our resource groups are mentored and supported by executive sponsors at the national, international and local levels.

Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board

The Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board, which is chaired by the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, integrates strategic initiatives across TELUS. The Board, which consists of TELUS Resource Group chairs and appointed Directors and Vice-presidents, is tasked with elevating our D&I strategy and delivering measurable impact with our diversity and inclusion team.

Supplier diversity

Our commitment to a more inclusive culture includes developing longstanding partnerships with suppliers that mirror our core values. To that end, we are constantly evolving our Supplier Diversity Program, which provides more opportunities for culturally diverse, Indigenous, LGBTQ2+ and/or women-run organizations to bid for our business in competitive processes.

This ensures that our suppliers reflect our diverse customer base and bring new ideas and creativity to the table. As a result of these efforts, we have increased spend with accredited diverse vendors by 35% since 2014.

TELUS has strong partnerships with organizations that certify Canadian businesses: the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC), Women Business Enterprises (WBE) Canada, the Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB).