Vidir Solutions Inc.

Vidir Solutions is an automated material handling solutions manufacturer based in the heart of Manitoba’s Interlake. Their two Canadian locations are in Arborg, Manitoba and Teulon, Manitoba where they have both full production facilities and offices. Vidir’s mission is “To Make The World’s Products Safely Accessible” and they have been the primary manufacturer of vertical material handling solutions in North America for the past 37 years.

Over the years, Vidir has offered a wide range of professional development opportunities to its employees. Their Executive wanted to focus on growing their own leaders trough formalized leadership development training.

While exploring different leadership Development programs, they found the off-the-shelf options lacked organizational context and relativism. They, therefore, opted to innovate and design a Leadership Development Program that is anchored in Vidir’s values and customized to their leaders’ needs, with a focus on in-person team building to elevate the leadership culture at Vidir.

The development plan created through the succession plan is designed to be integrated as part the Leadership Development Program. The goal is to make Vidir future-ready by building a leadership pipeline of short-listed or developing skills needed to maintain a forward-looking trajectory.

 Jur Family Group

Another route Jur Family Group took to drive engagement are organized activities, events and work perks such as great food discounts, gym discounts, and other practices that have made the greatest impact to their employees. Jur Family Group have continued to make great strides in separating themselves from other businesses in the industry and evaluating themselves and the Team Member experience.   

Reliance Infosystems

Reliance Infosystems Inc is an affiliate of a group of businesses having footprints in 18 countries. For 3 consecutive years, the group witnessed many of its employees migrate to Manitoba, Canada for study. The development became a striking signal that inspired the human resource team to rethink how it may convert the prevailing workforce attrition to business expansion opportunity in Canada.

In April 2022, Reliance Infosystems became federally incorporated in Canada and later registered as a business domiciled in Manitoba. The skillsets of the migrant employees were reassessed for local fit. Some were offered new roles in Canada, while some others were re-trained and positioned into various leadership and manager roles in their new office in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Flexible and ergonomic work arrangement were designed for those that are still studying in school while the post-grad employees were introduced into tailored career programs that match their ambitions and aspirations.

Various engagement and experience programs were introduced to make learning and development a natural part of employees' work activities and create balance between productivity and well-being while helping them stay engaged and informed.

While the overall outcome became a big transformation for The Reliance Group, they identified and solved for challenges relating to culture alignment, self-esteem, and confidence of the immigrant employees. They also solved for wide conflicts in cultural dimensions like Power Distance, Individualism, Long Term Orientation, and Indulgence.

Though their success story is still developing, their business transformation in Manitoba and its impact on the group-wide business has been heroic. 

Film Training Manitoba

Founded in 1999, Film Training Manitoba (FTM) is a non-for-profit charity and member of the Province of Manitoba’s Sector Council program. 

FTM provides high-caliber workforce development programs to sustain the province’s dynamic film industry. Since its conception, FTM has worked closely with the industry to identify training needs and has trained thousands of Manitobans to enter and advance in the province’s film industry. 

FTM frequently partners with educational and training institutions, as well as various organizations, to build support for Manitoba’s film industry. FTM conducts year-round visits to trade schools, universities, colleges, and high schools to provide an opportunity for individuals to learn more about careers in film.

Over three days in June 2022,  FTM partnered with over 30 organizations to launch Canada’s first Supporting Women in Film Trades (SWIFT) Conference. FTM gathered labour market information in 2021 and noted less than 30 percent of Manitobans working in trades positions in the film industry are women and women-identifying individuals. In an effort to increase the number of women and women-identifying individuals working on film sets, FTM’s struck a committee of fifteen women film professionals to design and create Canada's SWIFT. 

SWIFT consisted of industry courses and panels with senior-level executives and managers. SWIFT was the first major conference held at Red River College Polytech’s new Manitou a bi Bii daziigae building. Over eighty women participated in this first-of-its-kind conference. 100% of the participants of the SWIFT Conference 2022 strongly agreed or agreed that: The skills they learned at SWIFT would increase their ability and confidence, the instructors were knowledgeable and provided good direction, the programming was effectively delivered and held the participants’ interest.

The City of Winnipeg

The City of Winnipeg is one of the largest public service organizations in Manitoba with over 10,400 employees, working across 8 major city departments and another 15 city services that serve the public and the organization.

The City’s Human Rights Committee of Council, the Equity Office and Corporate HR Services continue to partner to create the Awareness & Action (A&A) Series. It began as an idea in 2021 to help show case the important voices of people with lived experience as the City began important work on the anti-racism movement, the journey of reconciliation, the journey to inclusion, and helps us with our goals of becoming a human rights city. The A&A Series starts with the simple premise that education is the key to making lasting change. The A&A Series aims to break down barriers by having distinguished speakers make deeper learning accessible through their lived experience. These monthly sessions are free of charge and are available 24/7 online afterwards. The A&A series uses technology and ASL Interpretation to provide a truly accessible learning platform available to the public and the city’s 10,400 employees.

The A&A Series invites both COW employees and Winnipegger’s to learn about the impacts of various forms of oppression and harms in society and in workplaces, with a focus on the experiences of Indigenous Peoples, Women, Racialized Peoples, 2SLGBTQQIA+ Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Newcomers, Francophones, Religious Minorities and Persons experiencing poverty and Persons experiencing homelessness. It raises awareness of the unique barriers and challenges that people with intersecting identities face. The A&A Series provides insights with a trauma-informed, harm reduction, decolonization lens, while honouring the principle of “nothing about us, without us”. 

Through partnership and collaboration, the A&A Series has been the platform to harness the spirit and energy between the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the Government of Manitoba’s Civil Service Commission, Women and Gender Equity Manitoba, Northern Reconciliation and Indigenous Affairs, and Giganawenimaanaanig (MMIWG2S+)and the City of Winnipeg in hosting panel discussions on gender-based violence.  These annual in person and online events shed light on this national crisis and the shift that is needed to honour and respect women and girls, and gender diverse and sexually diverse peoples experiencing violence.

The City of Winnipeg is proud to offer the A&A Series, bringing timely and relevant monthly topics to over 1150 Winnipeggers, Manitobans, and Canadians from coast to coast. 

Johnston Group

Johnston Group is an independent, Winnipeg-based company specializing in employee benefit solutions. Their journey began with a simple question that still guides them today: "How do people want to be taken care of at work?" This focus on understanding and meeting the diverse needs of their clients and employees has been the cornerstone of their approach to business since 1981.

Johnston Group is proud to be recognized as a finalist for its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy. With four decades of experience, they deliver comprehensive benefit services to more than 32,000 businesses across Canada, including small enterprises, large corporations, and Indigenous organizations.

The cornerstone of their strategy is their DEI policy. With this policy, they affirm their strong commitment to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion and establish the company's process to submit concerns. All together, this builds a more inclusive workplace that provides safe spaces for their employees, customers, and clients, especially those from equity-deserving groups. Combining their policy with numerous awareness and celebratory events each year, plus training and education options, Johnston Group provides employees with well-rounded, equitable opportunities for growth.

Johnston Group’s highly successful DEI governance model has allowed staff of all levels to engage in initiatives that eliminate barriers and increase inclusion. Their DEI Leadership Council, DEI staff committee and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) ensure their calendar is full of meaningful opportunities to grow together, from speaking events to a company-wide Mentorship Program.

The Truth and Reconciliation committee has engaged in a journey to advance TRC Call 92, recommitting to and expanding on the decades-long relationships they have developed with Indigenous communities.

The framework and intention of their DEI policy is evidence of their leadership’s unwavering commitment to a truly respectful, inclusive and equitable workplace and is driven by the engagement of the diverse employees for which it is designed.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is a Crown corporation of the province of Manitoba, that operates within a framework of corporate responsibility. Engaged in the distribution and sale of liquor, offering gaming and entertainment experiences, and responsibly sourcing and distributing non-medical cannabis to private retailers in the province, they are committed to enriching the lives of Manitobans.

Over the past two years, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries has embarked on a transformative journey to implement and enhance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE+I) initiatives across the organization. Originating with a single individual, their DE+I department has grown into a dedicated team of three, diligently implementing numerous initiatives and fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization, resulting in a substantial impact in a relatively short span of time.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries aspires to cultivate a workplace that mirrors the diversity of the communities they serve and instill in their employees a profound sense of belonging. Their commitment to promoting DE+I permeates their culture, practices, and community partnerships. Through education, resources, and activities, they empower individuals and drive positive change, acknowledging and celebrating their collective diversity. Regularly engaging with their employees, they provide complimentary educational programs, resources, and activities to enrich inclusion at every level. In recruitment, retention, and advancement, they are dedicated to breaking down barriers and ensuring equality of opportunity for every member of their corporation.

Their pride extends to the various initiatives they have championed or participated in, recognizing the impact their employees make within their organization and the broader community. Embarking on a path towards excellence in DE+I, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is proud of their distinct array of initiatives. Together, these initiatives drive them toward the creation of a workplace culture that goes beyond mere diversity, actively fostering inclusivity and equity. 

The City of Winnipeg - Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service & Corporate HR Services

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) is the sole provider of Fire and Paramedic Service to the citizens of Winnipeg.

The creation of a Behavioral Health Unit within a Fire Paramedic field represents a significant and progressive step forward in addressing mental health concerns. The presence of a specialized Behavioral Health Unit within the Fire Paramedic Service not only provides critical support for employees' mental health but also shapes a more compassionate and understanding organizational culture that prioritizes the holistic well-being of its staff.

By addressing mental health openly and proactively, the organization contributes to reducing the stigma associated with seeking help for mental health challenges. This can encourage employees to be more open about their own struggles and more likely to seek help or support when needed.

Having a dedicated Behavioral Health Unit means that employees have access to professionals who understand the unique challenges and stressors of their work. This specialized care can be tailored to their needs, addressing issues that might be specific to the nature of their roles in the Fire Paramedic Service. A supportive culture that values mental health is attractive to both prospective employees and existing staff. It contributes to better retention rates as employees are more likely to stay in an organization that actively supports their well-being. When employees feel supported and their mental health needs are addressed, it can positively impact their performance, reduce stress, improve mental well-being, and a supportive environment can lead to increased productivity and better job performance.  

Vidir Solutions Inc.

Vidir Solutions is an automated material handling solutions manufacturer based in the heart of Manitoba’s Interlake that employs 240 people. Vidir’s mission is “To Make The World’s Products Safely Accessible,” and their machines can be found in every industry and in over 45 countries around the globe.

In 2022, Vidir Solution embarked on a campaign to promote employee well-being. As part of this campaign, Vidir developed an in-house 2-day, Respectful Workplace Training, specifically for all leaders to create awareness of psychological health and safety and harm prevention in the workplace.

This initiative was named after one of their HEROICS Values, Safety Produces Security. This training focuses on: Understand the significance of a psychological H&S workplace through proactive leadership and self-management, increasing employee trust and engagement; Recognizing legal leadership responsibilities, set healthy boundaries, and promote Vidir's values; Identifying and address at-risk behaviors with a trauma-informed approach using practical tools and role-play exercises.

This training successfully empowered leaders to affect change in the organization, including increased employee engagement and reduced respectful workplace incidents. 

Birchwood

After 60 years in the automotive industry, Birchwood is the largest automotive dealership group in Manitoba. Today, We have over 1,100 team members, represent 21 different manufacturers and 30 franchise operations, including three collision centres, a reconditioning centre, and Birchwood Credit Solutions. They are located in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and North Dakota.

Birchwood is a values-driven organization, recognized as a top employer in Canada and, in 2018, became SAFE Work Certified. In 2002, Birchwood continued its health and safety journey and trained 1,100 team members with 16 Birchwood-branded health and safety courses, and 230 managers with its Team Leader Safety Awareness program.

To ensure health and safety was an integral part of its daily operations, Birchwood created a library of 28 safety-related documents for team members, simplified guidelines for committee members, and digitized 42 Corporate SAFE Work procedures and policies.

A culture of openness and transparency emerged, encouraging team members to report incidents and concerns without fear. This led to increased reporting, a decrease in serious incidents, and a remarkable 40 per cent drop in time-loss claims and 16 per cent reduction in overall claims from 2022 to 2023.

Birchwood's initiatives encouraged a safety culture where safety is not just a legal obligation but a shared value. This transformation has saved lives, improved well-being, and eased the minds of team members' families. It made Birchwood a safer, more productive, and collaborative workplace, benefiting the company and its employees and clients.

Birchwood's journey from SAFE Work Certification to building a safety-centric culture demonstrates that safety is not just about compliance, it’s a core company value. By prioritizing the well-being of its team members, Birchwood has improved workplace safety and strengthened its organization. 

Johnston Group

Johnston Group is an independent, Winnipeg-based company specializing in employee benefit solutions. Their journey began with a simple question that still guides them today: "How do people want to be taken care of at work?" This focus on understanding and meeting the diverse needs of their clients and employees has been the cornerstone of their approach to business since 1983.

Johnston Group is proud to be recognized as a finalist for its Work Life Wonderful program. With four decades of experience, they are dedicated to delivering comprehensive benefit services to more than 32,000 businesses across Canada, including small businesses, large corporations, and Indigenous organizations.

Their innovative Work Life Wonderful initiative is a testament to their commitment to holistic employee wellness. This program, conceptualized and implemented over the past five years, represents a paradigm shift in workplace wellness. It's built on six core pillars: Physical Health, Emotional/Mental Health, Personal and Professional Growth, Social Wellness, Environment and Sustainability and Community Contribution. Each pillar is designed to support and enhance the overall well-being of their 350-strong workforce.

Work Life Wonderful has significantly elevated employee satisfaction and productivity, marking a new era in their organizational culture. This initiative is a cornerstone of Johnston Group’s identity, reflecting their unwavering commitment to the well-being of their people and community.