Category: Saskatchewan

Mental wellbeing: building resilience and avoiding burnout

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

Yesterday was World Mental Health Day. Each year it provides us an opportunity to reconnect and re-kindle our efforts to protect and improve our mental health.

Building resilience and avoiding burnout are two very important topics that are extremely relevant in our personal and professional lives, especially given the challenges of the past couple of years.

To help you make some effective changes in your life today, we’re sharing this new tip sheet. Mental health affects every one of us and support is here.

A time to give thanks

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

Heading into the Thanksgiving weekend, we know how hard you’re working to ensure our customers can get everything they need to create their favourite holiday dishes.

We couldn’t be more thankful to have teammates like you. You continue to create exceptional shopping experiences for our customers, and find new and innovative ways to help us succeed.

As you gather around the table with family and friends to enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal, remember that we’re proud to have you at the Safeway family table.

We appreciate your support and commitment not only this Thanksgiving weekend, but every day of the year.

We hope you have a great holiday with the people in your life who matter most.

Happy Thanksgiving, Safeway!

Scotiabank’s offer to teammates

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

In celebration of our partnership with Scotiabank and our co-ownership of Scene+, Scotiabank is providing select banking offers to our teammates. From competitive mortgage rates to time-limited waived banking fees on select bank accounts and credit cards, new and existing Scotiabank customers are able to take advantage of these offers.

Scotiabank’s offer to teammates includes:

  • Bank Account: Preferred Package: $16.95 monthly fee waived for a year, for both new and existing Scotiabank customers
  • Credit Card: Right-sized Credit Card: First year annual fee waived (up to $150) on select cards with Preferred Banking Package
  • Mortgage Rates: Competitive rates for staff, lower than bank posted rates
  • Advice+: Comprehensive Roadmap: No obligation, personalized advice to support finances and personal needs and access to Financial Planning, and advice to support you with your financial wellness and goals

For more information on these offers and how take advantage of them, please click here.

For any questions about the offers, please contact or visit your local Scotiabank branch.

This offer is for employees of Empire Company Limited and its subsidiaries, franchisees and affiliates: Sobeys, Safeway, Foodland, Foodland & Participating Co-ops, FreshCo, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA, Rachelle Béry, Les Marchés Tradition, Lawtons Drugs, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by Safeway, Voilà par IGA, Needs Convenience, Sobeys Liquor, Safeway Liquor and Thrifty Foods Liquor.

Standing in solidarity: Honouring our Indigenous Peoples on Orange Shirt Day

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

For a period of more than 150 years, First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation children were taken from their families and communities to attend schools which were often located far from their homes. More than 150,000 children attended Indian Residential Schools. Many never returned.

On Orange Shirt Day (September 30), Safeway — alongside all of Sobeys Inc.’s banners from coast to coast — showed their support for Indigenous teammates, families, customers, and the communities we serve by wearing an orange shirt or ribbon to send a strong message of recognition and remembrance to Indigenous Peoples.

Thank you to all of our Safeway teammates who took the time to wear orange shirts, ribbons and stickers, create in-store informational displays, and share inspiring stories. Not to mention those who donated to local organizations supporting Indigenous Peoples.

Check out just a few photos of how our Safeway teammates from across the country marked this meaningful day — showing our commitment to the journey to Truth and Reconciliation. We’re so inspired by your display of solidarity with our Indigenous communities.

Corral Centre Safeway (Brandon, MB) honouring Truth and Reconciliation Day with a donation to the Brandon Friendship Centre.

Southland Mall Safeway (Regina, SK)

But there’s always more we can do. At Sobeys Inc., we’re committed to taking action for the long-term. This includes our ongoing involvement in the Progressive Aboriginal Relations program in partnership with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. For more information, you can reach out to Kakwiranoron Cook (kakwiranoron.cook@sobeys.com), Senior Advisor, Indigenous Relations and Communications.

In addition, you can visit the “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Jam Group” tile in the home page of your People Portal to access Indigenous Workplace Inclusion resources.

Scene+ takes over the West!

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

It’s official — Scene+ has taken over Western Canada!

On September 22, Scene+ replaced the AIR MILES program in our Safeway stores and online. And our Saskatchewan teammates sure made quite the scene celebrating this exciting milestone.

But don’t take our word for it — these photos say it all!

So many smiles. So much fun had by all.

From educating customers on the new program to the incredible décor, displays and treats, it was an epic and memorable launch. You went above and beyond to help us usher in Scene+ in our Saskatchewan Safeway stores — and we couldn’t be prouder to have you on our team.

Again, thank you for your many contributions in getting your store ready for one of the most momentous events in the history of our business. Your enthusiasm for our new loyalty program is infectious.

Let’s continue to work together to thrill every customer who comes through our doors, making their Safeway shopping experience second to none!

Falling into the season with Compliments

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

With summer sadly in the rear-view mirror, we can’t help but turn our attention to the fall… crisp air, cozy sweaters, the taste of pumpkin spice and fresh local apples lining our shelves.

For many of us, the sights and smells (most definitely the smells) of this season are synonymous with the delicious desserts we enjoy with friends and family — from apple pie to pumpkin cheesecake and cranberry cobbler.

And so, in the spirit of this harvest season, we thought we’d roundup a few of our Own Brands dessert products that are sure to thrill and delight Safeway customers in our stores. After all, we all deserve fabulous fall treats.

  1. Compliments Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Move over apple pie! The flakey crust and burst of sweet-tart fruit flavour in our strawberry rhubarb pie packs deliciousness into every bite. Whether you serve it warm or at room temperature, this pie will surely be a crowd-pleaser!

  1. Compliments Apple with Caramel Filling Muffins

Talk about gourmet flavour! The combination of apple and caramel leave basic behind. Plus, there’s nothing quite like the soul-soothing smell of apple and caramel when warmed up. Don’t you agree?

  1. Compliments Lemon Meringue Pie

Yes, we know, pie and the autumn season go hand in hand. And with so many flavours to choose from, we just had to pick more than one.

If you prefer a smooth, rich, and creamy pie, this one is for you! The refreshing taste of our lemon meringue pie is the perfect compliment (no pun intended!) to cap off a weekend meal with friends or loved ones.

We’re so proud to offer these Compliments products (and many other favourites!) in our Safeway stores. We know our customers are looking for the best products for their families, at prices they can afford. Our Own Brands assortment helps to set us apart from our competitors by delivering quality products that fit every budget.

So whether you’re purchasing these products for yourself, bringing them to a special family meal or recommending them to customers, let’s continue to work together to make our Own Brands products #1 in our hearts and minds so that they become #1 in our stores.

Happy fall, y’all!

 

 

Do you know a teammate that embodies our Values? Nominate them today as a Value Champion!

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

The Value Champions program is our opportunity to recognize and celebrate teammates who embody our Values every day in our stores, distribution centres, and offices from coast to coast. Our Values are at the heart of the organization and guide our decisions and interactions with teammates and customers. They are the foundation behind our Purpose, a Family Nurturing Families. It is what the Value Champion program is all about.

Teammates who put these ideals into action and inspire others to do the same should be recognized and celebrated.

Have you noticed a Safeway teammate demonstrating one of our Values?

People-Powered — teammates who help their colleagues be their best by listening to and supporting each other, communicating openly and candidly, and encouraging positivity and fun.

Customer-Driven — teammates who go the extra mile for the customer by consistently making customers our priority, understanding their needs, finding ways to thrill them and serve them with pride.

Community-Engaged — teammates who make a difference in our communities by consistently engaging with our communities, giving back, acting in sustainable ways, and supporting local initiatives, entrepreneurs, and suppliers.

Results-Oriented — teammates who drive great results in a fair and ethical way by consistently bringing a winning attitude, delivering on our commitments, finding new and innovative solutions, and are fair and ethical in our decisions.

Nominations Now Open for This Year

Inspired by a Safeway teammate who lives our values that are at the heart of the company?

Be sure to nominate them as a Value Champion, today! The deadline to submit a nomination is April 28, 2023.

When nominating a teammate as a Value Champion, please ensure to provide full details such as their name, their job title, location of work (for example: region, banner, and store number), and the reason why they are being nominated. It is super important! The winning submission is dependent on how much details you provide.

Almost all Corporate Office/Store/RSC teammates can be nominated. The program does not include franchisee teammates.

Selection Process

The Value Champions Selection Committee will be selecting 100 Value Champions finalists for this year. There will be 5 winners, 1 for each value and 1 national winner determined by Operations Vice Presidents.

The Value Champion program will continue to evolve but the core of it will always remain the same: teammates celebrating teammates.

If you have any questions, please contact sobeysrecognitionprograms@sobeys.com or visit SobeysValueChampions.com for more information.

 

Summer is a time to rest and recharge

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

Rest is one of the most important aspects of your self-care plan. Remind yourself of what you can do to recharge and build your own self-care action plan.

What is self-care? It’s any action you take to maintain and improve your health, whether physical or mental, because as we know they’re intrinsically related. Our busy schedules naturally make us think we don’t have time for it, but now more than ever is the time to build self-care into your daily schedule. A recent study has shown that self-care leads to increased self-confidence, productivity and happiness. It can also reduce the likelihood of chronic disease.

Building self-care into your daily routine is the key to success. Remind yourself of the few things we can do every day to check-in with ourselves using our 2-minute mental wellbeing check-in:

Our mental wellbeing strategy focuses on providing resources, education, and raising awareness throughout the organization to let our teammates know that support is here.

Visit SobeysMentalWellbeing.com to learn more about self-care and access the support resources available to you, your family and your fellow Safeway teammates. Below is a summary of a few of those resources.

Scene+ hits the Atlantic!

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

Scene+ has officially taken over the east coast.

On August 11, Scene+ replaced the AIR MILES program in stores and online. This is the first rollout of our new loyalty program which will continue across the rest of Canada culminating in early 2023.

To get you ready for Scene+ making its way to the West, what’s better than showing you how our Atlantic store teammates marked this special occasion.

From the décor to the cakes and everyone’s smiling faces, it was certainly a day to remember.

 

 
 

 

Looks like an epic day was had by our Atlantic store teammates, right? They sure know how to make a scene!

And this is only the beginning. Stay tuned for more information as we get ready to launch Scene+ in the West.

We can’t wait to see how you’ll bring your celebration to the next level!

Looking for more information on the Scene+ program? Here’s some FAQs:

How will customers earn Scene+ points at Safeway Stores?

When the program is launched, customers will have several ways to earn Scene+ points in Safeway stores including:

  • Everyday Rewards: Earn points through weekly flyer events and everyday product offers in-store and online with Voilà
  • Personalized Offers: Receive weekly offers customized just for you, delivered to your email or grocery store App
  • Banking Products: Earn even more points by shopping with a Scotiabank debit or credit card.

Will customers be able to redeem Scene+ points toward groceries?

Yes. Once the program is launched, customers will be able redeem 1,000 Scene+ points towards $10 off their purchase of eligible products at Safeway.

Where else can customers earn and redeem Scene+ points?

  • Travel: With your next escape powered by Expedia
  • Dining: With dine-in, take-out and delivery at over 700 restaurants (like Harvey’s, Swiss Chalet and Kelseys)
  • Shopping: Earn for shopping online and redeem points at over 60 retailers including Apple and Best Buy
  • Movies: At Cineplex Theatres
  • Entertainment: At Playdium and The Rec Room
  • Banking: Earn even more points by shopping with a Scotiabank debit or credit card and redeem Scene+ points for an account credit on participating Scotiabank debit and credit cards

How will I continue to receive my employee discount?

At launch, you’ll continue to enjoy your employee discount by scanning a Scene+ membership number. More details on how to register your Scene+ number for the discount will be provided in the weeks leading up to your launch.

In the meantime, please continue to scan your AIR MILES card to get your employee discount.

Ready. Set. Fundraise! The checkstand campaign for our Family of Support Initiative starts today.

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

Today we kick off our third annual fundraising campaign in support of 13 children’s hospital foundations as part of the Family of Support: Child and Youth Mental Health Initiative.

We want to take a moment to celebrate the impact you’ve helped make possible for thousands of children and youth across the country.

When we launched the partnership in 2020 with Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations and the Sobey Foundation, our goal was simple: help children, youth and their families in Canada get the mental help support they desperately need early. And this was in the middle of a pandemic no less.

Safeway teammates have come together in unprecedented ways, building a family of support, and encouraging donations in our communities. The inspiring energy and passion you’ve shown in the last two years has helped enable Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations to take early mental health intervention programming to new heights, with many easily surpassing their five-year goals in just two years. Here’s a few highlights from the 15 programs receiving support:

  • 36 new treatment spaces
  • Over 7,000 health care providers trained
  • Over 20,000 mental health assessments completed

This impact cannot be understated. We’re making a true difference for thousands of children and families across Canada. These aren’t just numbers or stats — these are lives changed.

More about this year’s campaign

From July 26 – August 10, Canadians from coast to coast will have the opportunity to donate when checking out at Safeway and any Sobeys Inc. banner stores.

Every donation stays local and supports your children’s hospital foundation. One hundred per cent of funds raised will ensure more kids can get the mental health support they need early.

A special thanks to YOU, our Safeway teammates and outstanding cashiers, who are bringing this campaign to life by inviting customers to donate. We’re so grateful for everything you continue to do to make this campaign a success!

Resources

  • Learn more about our Family of Support at familyofsupport.com
  • Sign up year-round for our Healthier Tomorrows Giving Program, where you can donate directly from your paycheque to your choice of over 30 charities, including the 13 children’s hospital foundations we’re supporting through Family of Support.
  • Your wellbeing, and the wellbeing of your family, is so important to us. Visit sobeysmentalwellbeing.com to learn more about our mental health resources.