My tenure at Telus has left me with a range of experiences that I feel compelled to share, reflecting strictly on my personal observations during my time with the company. For nearly a decade, I dedicated myself to Telus, and as an immigrant and minority employee, my journey was marked by both positive and concerning moments. When I look back on my time there, it's impossible to ignore instances of what I perceived as favoritism and racism. These issues seemed particularly prevalent in the disparities regarding opportunities for minorities and immigrants in comparison to our Caucasian colleagues. It's important to acknowledge that my observations may have been specific to the business unit I was a part of. Nonetheless, it appeared that promotions, career advancements and even job security were not always determined by merit, fostering a culture of favoritism. Compensation at Telus was consistently a topic of concern. Salaries were often below industry standards and even when promotions were granted, employees frequently found themselves at the lower end of the pay scale for their roles. This issue was compounded by a lack of consideration for inflation when determining pay increases. Many of us struggled with compensation that failed to keep up with the rising cost of living. In addition, there seemed to be a shortage of support for employees seeking financial assistance to further their education or training. Frequent budget constraints and excuses made it challenging for individuals to access the funds necessary for their professional development, impeding their ability to advance within the company. One of the most disheartening aspects of my time at Telus was the unexpected layoffs of highly talented and dedicated individuals, even those who consistently received outstanding performance reviews. This added a layer of uncertainty to the workplace, as it became evident that job security was never guaranteed, regardless of one's contributions. Although Telus did provide a work-from-home policy, there was a noticeable shift in the company's stance, with increasing mandate for employees under my director to work hybrid (in office and at home). This shift contradicted the full work from home flexibility many had come to appreciate and left some feeling pressured and uncomfortable. In summary, my experience at Telus was marked by a troubling blend of favoritism, pay disparities, limited support for professional growth and unexpected layoffs. It is my sincere hope that the company takes these concerns seriously and actively works towards fostering a more inclusive and equitable workplace for all employees as this is vital for building a stronger, more cohesive workforce.
