Assiniboine recognized among province’s top employers

Assiniboine College has been recognized as one of Manitoba’s top employers by Mediacorp Inc., a Canadian publishing company that acknowledges organizations with exceptional workplace policies and practices across the country.

Assiniboine went through a “lengthy application process” last spring, with a May 2024 deadline to apply, said Julie Muller, human resources director at the college.

“We are always looking for ways to recruit top talent and felt this could be a great way to get our name out to a wider audience, letting them know that we provide a great place to work,” Muller said.

“Our staff enjoy many benefits — a great work environment, competitive pay and benefits, extra vacation and significant support for their training and development needs.”

Assiniboine is one of 35 companies and organizations across the province that were recognized for being a top employer, including University of Manitoba, Westoba Credit Union, Manitoba Blue Cross and True North Sports and Entertainment.

Employers are evaluated on eight criteria, which editors of the competition have been following for the last 19 years. Besides physical workplace, work and social atmosphere, Assiniboine was judged on its financial and family benefits, vacation, communication with employees, training and developing skills and community involvement.

In a summary describing some of the reasons why Assiniboine was chosen, Mediacorp Inc.’s editors wrote that the college supports parents-to-be with maternity and parental leave, as well as “the convenience of on-site childcare” when they return to work.

Employees are also given five days of family-related leave each year, according to the publishing company’s website, adding at the college was chosen for “creating exceptional workplace policies and forward-thinking HR benefits.”

Muller said the designation plays an important role in not only attracting top-level employees, but keeping them satisfied while employed at the college.

“In today’s competitive market, it is more important than ever to provide a safe, inclusive and rewarding workplace to nurture a thriving workforce that is sustainable and ready for the changes that are on the horizon,” she said.

Staff feedback, Muller added, is gathered through exit interviews when an employee leaves the college, as well as regular performance reviews.

That information is then reviewed by senior leaders, she said, which gives them an understanding of the employee experiences, and helps them with future planning.

“We have an annual staff survey that informs us on a number of areas including understanding their role, engagement, employee development, views on team relationships, change and communication, leadership, equity, diversity and inclusion, health and safety and overall job satisfaction,” Muller said.

Besides the regional top employer list, Mediacorp also publishes the top 100 employers in Canada.

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