Saskatchewan's Top Employers (2021)

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ct100.ca/sk

p This year marks the 16th anniversary of the Saskatchewan’s Top Employers competition.

C O - P U B L I S H E D

B Y A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER:

Putting employee safety first MEDIACORP

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THE COMPLETE LIST:

Saskatchewan’s Top Employers (2021)

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PROPELLING FORWARD:

Winning employers have this in common

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SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

16th Annual Edition

JOHNCE/GETTY

SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021 Magazine Anthony Meehan, PUBLISHER

Editorial Team:

p The past year has changed how many employees view their job and its benefits – the best employers are responding by doubling down to provide the things that now matter most.

Richard Yerema, MANAGING EDITOR

Kristina Leung, SENIOR EDITOR

Stephanie Leung, ASSISTANT EDITOR

Chantel Watkins, JUNIOR EDITOR

Jing Wang,

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Advertising Team:

Kristen Chow,

MANAGING DIRECTOR, PUBLISHING

Ye Jin Suhe,

CLIENT EXPERIENCE LEAD

Vishnusha Kirupananthan, JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Sponsored Profile Writers:

Berton Woodward, SENIOR EDITOR

Michael Benedict Brian Bergman Jane Doucet D’Arcy Jenish Bruce McDougall Nora Underwood

©2021 Mediacorp Canada Inc. and Postmedia Network Canada Corp.

All rights reserved. SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS is a registered trade mark of Mediacorp Canada Inc. Editorial inquiries: ct100@mediacorp.ca

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Making employees feel safe, supported and connected

he pandemic has redefined the kinds of workplace benefits and policies that employees view as important. The change hasn’t gone unnoticed by Saskatchewan’s leading employers, which have been quick to introduce new programs and benefits to help employees and the communities where they operate.

The best of these initiatives are recognized in this year’s Saskatchewan’s Top Employers list, which you will find in this magazine. This year’s list comprises 25 employers from across the province that offer a range of forward-thinking initiatives, including: helping employees balance work with family commitments; engaging employees to make a difference in the community; developing employees’ skills and training; improving employee health and wellness, particularly mental health; and helping staff prepare for the second half of their careers, then life after work.

We also saw this year how the province’s best employers look after the communities where they operate. From the first edition of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers 16 years ago, we noticed a strong correlation existed between the employers that offer exceptional

workplaces and the organizations that take a broader view of their responsibilities to the community. Their inspiring stories of supporting the community are found in the pages of this magazine and our editors’ reasons for selection, released today at: www.ct100.ca/sk

To determine the winners, employers throughout the province were evaluated by editors at Canada’s Top 100 Employers using the same criteria as the national competition: (1) Physical Workplace; (2) Work Atmosphere & Social; (3) Health, Financial & Family Benefits; (4) Vacation & Time Off; (5) Employee Communications; (6) Performance Management; (7) Training & Skills Development; and (8) Community Involvement. The annual competition is open to any employer with its head office in Saskatchewan; employers of any size may apply, whether private or public sector.

If your organization would like to be considered for next year’s edition, please contact our editors at

ct100@mediacorp.ca

– Tony Meehan

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SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

Top Employers put employee safety and concerns first

FNBC

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hat makes a great place to work has taken on a whole new meaning in the past year.

It’s more than good pay, great benefits and an inclusive, vibrant workplace culture. These days, with a novel coronavirus affecting everything we do, the top workplace priority is keeping employees safe.

Many of Saskatchewan’s top workplaces continued to excel despite COVID-19, with some honoured in the 2021 Saskatchewan’s Top Employers competition.

Businesses that enter the competition, managed by Mediacorp Canada Inc., are evaluated according to eight categories: physical workplace; work atmosphere and social; health, financial and family benefits; vacation and time off; employee communications; performance management; training and skills development; and community involvement.

The pandemic added a new twist that affected all aspects of work life, says Richard Yerema, managing editor of Mediacorp’s Canada’s Top 100 Employers and regional competitions across the country.

“The pandemic is obviously a universal story,” he says, noting that comprehensive wellness and support programs proved invaluable for workers often under tremendous pressure and feeling heightened anxiety about their own health and the well-being of their loved ones.

Among the top workplaces in the province this year is Saskatchewan Polytechnic, a post-secondary institution with campuses in Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert and Moose Jaw. Its management quickly sought to establish strong lines of communication with staff and faculty as many employees worked from home starting in mid-March.

“Wherever possible, we transitioned work that could be done at home to that environment to reduce the risk of transmission of disease,” says Dr. Larry Rosia, chief executive officer and president of Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

Recognizing the stresses created by COVID-19, the employer checked in on workers regularly while conveying how the organization planned to continue to

 First Nations Bank of Canada employees at the head office in Saskatoon dress for Orange Shirt Day, a day created to raise awareness about the harm that Canada’s residential school system has done to Indigenous people and communities.

educate its students. “ ‘Uncertainty’ was a key word in the early days, and it was to a point where it was quite excruciating for people not knowing what was going to happen next, so transparent communication was critical,” Rosia says. “We wanted to assure our community the safety, health and security of our students and our employees were our top priority.”

That also involved ensuring workers knew about existing health and wellness benefits as well as new initiatives launched to help deal with the pandemic’s impact, particularly with respect to mental health.

“Our internal portal is a key place for employees to go for mental health resources,” he says. “This online hub has only grown since the start of COVID.” At Creative Options Regina, another Top Employer this year, worker safety factored into every decision.

“One of the initial things we did right off the hop was ensuring we had all the necessary personal protective equipment to keep our employees safe,” says Michael Lavis, chief executive officer of the organization that provides home care and related services for individuals with mental health and intellectual disabilities.

“Beyond the personal protective equipment, it was also about understanding what our employees needed to feel safe.”

The answer to that question, he adds, was different for each person. In some cases, employees were allowed to take a leave of absence.

“One thing that has been critical from the start is making sure our employees understood that no one would be losing their job, and no one would be laid off,” Lavis says.

The same message was made clear at First Nations Bank of Canada, based in

Saskatoon. Efforts were made to have as many employees work from home as possible, though some staff are front-line workers providing essential financial services to remote communities.

“But if branch employees had to stay home because they were concerned they may have been exposed to COVID, or they needed to take care of their kids, we kept paying them,” says Cheryl Foster, chief financial officer at First Nations Bank.

“We wanted to make sure we provided support for people and enabled them to continue working for us, while feeling good about their job situation.”

In a nutshell, workers feeling safe on the job defined how the province’s Top Employers measured success during the pandemic.

– Joel Schlesinger

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SATCC

SK BLUE CROSS

SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP): 1. Employees at Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission sharing a lighter moment.

2. Staff at Saskatchewan Blue Cross creating valentines for young patients at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon.

3. Officers from the Saskatoon Police Service outside the force’s emergency mobile command vehicle.

SASKATOON POLICE

G.HUSZAR/SASKPOWER

4. Powerline technicians on the job at SaskPower.

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PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP): 1. Employees at ISC aim to provide an industry-leading customer experience.

2. The commercial vice-president (left) of First Nations Bank of Canada with a former employee.

3. A Nutrien employee attends a Saskatoon Tribal Council assembly at Muskeg Lake Cree Nation.

C.HENDRICKSON/NUTRIEN

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP): 1. RS70663_ISC employees provide an industry leading customer experience 2. RS81240 FNBC-Commercial VP with former FNBC employee 3. RS67430 KSPC

F.CATTROLL/FNBC

G.HUSZAR/ISC

SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

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NUTRIEN

SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

2021 WINNERS

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p With over 5,800 employees, Saskatoon-based Nutrien produces potash and fertilizers that improve the productivity of agricultural land around the world.

The following organizations have been chosen as Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2021 (employee count refers to full-time staff): 3SHEALTH / HEALTH SHARED SERVICES SASKATCHEWAN, Regina.

Healthcare support services; 140 employees. Quickly redeployed some of its personnel to the Saskatchewan Health Authority and other local healthcare partners in support of their response to the pandemic.

A

CCESS COMMUNICATIONS CO-OPERATIVE LTD., Regina. Cable and telecommunication services; 206 employees. Early in the pandemic the

company’s CEO sent personalized letters to all employees along with $75 to encourage them to support local businesses.

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ALIDON EQUIPMENT LEASING, Saskatoon.

Agriculture and construction equipment dealers; 12 employees. Encourages employees to take care of their mental well-being with a mental health practitioner benefit of up to $600.

CORNERSTONE CREDIT UNION FINANCIAL GROUP LIMITED, Yorkton. Credit unions; 159 employees.

Provides academic scholarships for children of employees pursuing post-secondary studies, to $1,000 per child.

CREATIVE OPTIONS REGINA, INC., Regina. Mental health support services; 162 employees. Manages a unique in-house Creative Encouragers program that encourages employees to share their passions with colleagues, including art, music, dance and cooking classes.

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IRST NATIONS BANK OF CANADA, Saskatoon. Banking; 97 employees. Moved many employees to work-from-home arrangements and offered bonus payments to $1,000 for employees who were required to work onsite over the past year.

FLAMAN SALES LTD., Saskatoon.

Retail, farm machinery, equipment and home fitness; 391 employees. Established

the Frank J. Flaman Foundation in 2005 that supports numerous charities every year, with a focus on supporting children and families in need.

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ROUP MEDICAL SERVICES / GMS INSURANCE INC., Regina.

Health and travel insurance; 125 employees. Supports its new moms, dads and adoptive parents, with maternity and parental leave top-up payments to 75 per cent of salary for up to 24 weeks.

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NFORMATION SERVICES CORPORATION / ISC, Regina.

Property title and registry services; 310 employees. Quickly moved many employees to work-from-home

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2021 WINNERS

SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

(CONT.)

arrangements and the CEO circulated a series of weekly check-in videos with updates and encouragement for employees.

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+S POTASH CANADA GP, Saskatoon. Potash mining; 445 employees. Offered employees immediate access to an annual $300 charitable donation for organizations providing relief during the pandemic.

CDOUGALL GAULEY LLP, Saskatoon. Law firms; 124 employees. Created a Culture and Wellness Committee over the past year to host online meditation sessions and fitness challenges.

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UTRIEN INC., Saskatoon.

Phosphate, nitrogen and potash fertilizer manufacturing; 5,835 employees. Quickly moved office employees to work-fromhome arrangements and followed-up with weekly webcasts with senior leadership.

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ANCH EHRLO SOCIETY, Regina. Individual and family services; 702 employees. Support employees moved to work-fromhome arrangements in March along with a flexible work schedule, including onsite rotations for some positions.

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ASKATCHEWAN APPRENTICESHIP AND TRADE CERTIFICATION COMMISSION, Regina.

G.HUSZAR/K+S

q At work in the process analytics laboratory at K+S Potash Canada in Saskatoon.

Apprenticeship and trade certification management; 73 employees. Helps employees prepare for the future with retirement planning assistance and a defined contribution pension plan.

SASKATCHEWAN BLUE CROSS, Saskatoon. Health and travel insurance; 233 employees. Focuses its charitable efforts on wellness and prevention, health treatments and youth, providing support for 200 local charities over the past year.

SASKATCHEWAN CROP INSURANCE CORPORATION / SCIC, Melville. Direct property and casualty insurance carriers; 341 employees. Offers compassionate leave top-up for those called upon to care for a loved one, to 100 per cent of salary for up to eight weeks.

SASKATCHEWAN POLYTECHNIC, Saskatoon. Post-secondary education; 1,534 employees. Along with a defined contribution pension plan employees nearing retirement may take advantage of phased-in retirement work options.

SASKATCHEWAN WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BOARD, Regina.

Administration of human resource programs; 481 employees. Provided ergonomic chairs, desks and technology (including fire extinguishers) to enable employees to work from home safely and comfortably.

SASKATOON POLICE SERVICE, Saskatoon. Police services; 694 employees.

Supports a number of community and charitable organizations annually with

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SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

2021 WINNERS

(CONT.)

employees donating 2,000 volunteer hours over the past year.

SASKPOWER, Regina. Electric power generation; 3,398 employees. Helps employees with college-aged kids through an academic scholarship program to $1,500 each.

SASKTEL, Regina. Telecommunications; 2,737 employees. Many employees quickly moved to work-from-home arrangements, building on a variety of alternative working options.

SYNERGY CREDIT UNION LTD., Lloydminster. Credit unions; 188 employees. Offered one paid day off every two weeks to enable employees to look after their personal wellness during the pandemic.

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SK BLUE CROSS

SOUTHEAST COLLEGE, Weyburn.

Post-secondary education; 30 employees.

Supports new parents with maternity and parental leave top-up payments to 95 per cent of salary for 15 weeks.

p Saskatchewan Blue Cross employees taking part in a fundraising event for STARS, which provides medical evacuations.

ADERSTAD INDUSTRIES INC., Langbank. Farm machinery and equipment distribution; 161 employees.

Helps employees balance their work and personal commitments with up to six paid paid personal days annually.

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AGIME ANISHINABEK, Grenfell. First Nations band; 67 employees. Supports ongoing employee development with tuition subsidies as well as in-house training and apprenticeship programs.

M.MACLEAN/VADERSTAD

– Richard Yerema & Kristina Leung

pEmployees at Vaderstad Industries in Langbank check seed placement at a field demonstration.

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2021

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CREATIVE OPTIONS REGINA

SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

p Employees at Creative Options Regina, which provides social services for people with mental health and/or intellectual challenges, share a common sense of purpose.

Dedicated employees propel leading Saskatchewan employers

S

upport workers at Creative Options Regina don’t see themselves as punching the clock, earning a wage or, to quote a classic rock tune, working for the weekend.

“It’s that whole sense of making a difference,” says Michael Lavis, chief executive officer of the non-profit organization that provides a variety of at-home social services for individuals with mental health and/or intellectual disabilities.

“We’re typically working with a group of

people who don’t necessarily fit into traditional models of care,” Lavis says, adding that clients face challenges involving health care, mental health, social services and justice.

That means crafting care for each individual client.

“With us, it’s about meeting the person where they’re at,” he says.

Workers at the organization take that duty to heart, continuing to serve clients even in less-than-ideal conditions — such as a pandemic.

The importance of their work is one reason why Creative Options is among Saskatchewan’s Top Employers in 2021.

The Top Employers program, managed

by Mediacorp Canada Inc., recognizes workplaces not only for offering excellent compensation, exceptional workplace culture and nifty perks. It also selects organizations that are exceptionally good at engaging their employees.

And no workers are more engaged than those who believe their role is to make the world a better place.

Employees at First Nations Bank of Canada — another Top Employer in Saskatchewan — also feel that sense of doing good through their efforts at the financial institution that serves Indigenous people, businesses and their communities.

“In some places, we are the only bank around,” says Leigh Solomon, vice-president of retail banking at the bank. “And so many employees have taken great pride in still being open to serve these communities during the pandemic.”

Their roles have included providing

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(CONT.)

– Joel Schlesinger

ACCESS

in-person banking to a handful of clients who lack internet and even phone connections. At other times, they have walked customers through the process of using online banking services so they don’t have to visit a branch.

Kevin Michael, vice-president of commercial banking, says First Nations Bank of Canada employees recognize their role isn’t just providing financial services.

It’s about helping Indigenous communities build their economies and generate wealth.

“What we do really benefits people’s lives in northern communities,” he says, adding many employees are from northern Saskatchewan.

A similar sense of purpose is shared among Creative Options Regina employees, which is a good thing because demand

for services has expanded during COVID-19, Lavis notes.

The fact the organization has been able to meet this demand is “testament” to the efforts of its staff.

“We attract good people because of what we do,” Lavis says. “Still, even I’m just really amazed how everyone stepped up in this difficult time.”

As an employer, Creative Options Regina has looked to help its staff be at its best by creating a workplace that meets their needs while addressing any concerns.

That has built a united organization.

“When you have that sense of common purpose — you feel like you’re part of something bigger than yourself and you’re making a difference — the job doesn’t feel much like work anymore.”

CREATIVE OPTIONS REGINA

DEDICATED EMPLOYEES

SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP): 1. An employee from Creative Options Regina providing support at the annual family BBQ on Willow Island.

3. Breathing in the crisp winter air on the campus of Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Prince Albert.

SASK. POLYTECHNIC

2. A production assistant at Access Communications working on local programming from its mobile studio, which visits over 90 communities.

SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

PHOTOS (FROM TOP): 1. An employee from SaskPower helps residents review materials at an open house to discuss the Great Plains Power Station.

2. Employees from Nutrien taking part in a ‘Rock Your Roots’ walk for reconciliation in Saskatoon.

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SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

Access Communications bands together through the pandemic

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uring the COVID-19 pandemic, Carole Sauer sent weekly emails with important information about what was happening at Regina-based Access Communications Cooperative to its employees. And to make people smile, she added funny cartoons.

“I tried to provide some humour in a situation where people were worried and scared,” says Sauer, the telecommunications company’s human resources and safety senior manager who was appointed head of the emergency response team. “People loved it, and it was a good opportunity to lessen the gap between the senior management team, the employees in the field across the province and those working from home. We know how important our frontline staff have been and wanted to recognize that in our updates.”

Broadband technician Jordan Mihalicz, a member of the rural wireless team in North Battleford, is one of those frontline workers.

Because telecommunications was deemed an essential service, installation and repairs continued but with new safety protocols in place, including an equipment self-installation option with an instruction sheet plus phone or video support. Before house calls, technicians would call customers to ask COVID-19 pre-screening questions – and they’d also check in with each other.

“We’re a tight-knit group of technicians who keep each other accountable,” says Mihalicz, who chats with his fellow techs on Bluetooth as he drives home from a job that could be as far as two and a half hours away. “That cohesive-

JOHANNAH FOSTER GREETS CUSTOMERS AT ACCESS COMMUNICATIONS' REGINA LOCATION

ness with my co-workers is one of my favourite things about working for Access.”

Prior to the pandemic, one of the biggest problems facing the technicians was squirrels. “They’re our worst enemy because they chew our lines,” says Mihalicz. “A couple of chomps and you could lose your TV or internet service.”

The pandemic brought perspective – and also wireless internet to those in rural areas who hadn’t yet signed up for it. “We were really busy in the beginning,” says Mihalicz. “If you have school-age

We worked together to keep Saskatchewan connected when it mattered most.”

— Carole Sauer Human Resources and Safety Senior Manager

kids at home, one way to keep them occupied is to get them on the internet.”

Like the other senior leaders, Sauer worked long hours during lockdown and is proud of how employees banded together to get the job done without any service interruptions. The 100-per-cent Saskatchewan-owned co-operative’s

operations contribute millions of dollars to the local economies of the communities Access serves.

“Our emergency response team made sure our employees, our customers and our communities came first,” says Sauer. “We worked together to keep Saskatchewan connected when it mattered most.” 

SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

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206

FULL-TIME STAFF

39

YEARS, LONGESTSERVING EMPLOYEE

$2,038 IN ANNUAL TRAINING PER EMPLOYEE

JORDAN MIHALICZ IS ONE OF ACCESS COMMUNICATIONS' BROADBAND TECHNICIANS KEEPING CUSTOMERS CONNECTED

myaccess.ca/careers Amazing People | Great Benefits | Training & Growth Opportunities | Community Involvement

62%

OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE WOMEN, INCL. CHAIR, VICE CHAIR

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SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

COR keeps people feeling safe amid the pandemic

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he COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a sense of anxiety, fear and loss for everyone it’s touched. But just imagine the added impact on people with intellectual disabilities and mental health challenges – the sort of people supported on a daily basis

by Creative Options Regina (COR).

Founded in 2009, COR is a non-profit, charitable organization that provides in-home support based on the philosophy of Gentle Teaching. COR strives to help the people it serves discover and reach their personal goals. The focus is on building relationships and creating a sense of community where people feel safe and valued.

“With the pandemic, many of our people were struggling to understand what’s happening in the world around them,” says COR executive director Michael Lavis.

“Suddenly, they could no longer go to their favourite restaurant or sporting activity or do other things that kept them connected to the larger world. Many were also cut off from their families.”

COR caregivers continued to support people in their homes, following all the necessary health and safety protocols. But even that presented some unique challenges.

For example, COR trains caregivers on the importance of making a personal connection, including through warm facial expressions and smiles.

“Because we needed to wear masks and cover our faces, that was really hard for people,” says Shannon Wiebe, a member of COR’s mentorship and outreach team. “They felt vulnerable, scared and worried. So we had to be sure

COR EMPLOYEE TOGETHER WITH A SUPPORTED YOUTH

We got through something hard and it made us stronger.” to use other tools, like our eyes and words, to reassure people they were safe.”

COR also worked to keep people as active and connected as possible, whether through online book clubs and baking sessions or by dropping off puzzles and video games.

“We wanted to create some structure in their day, knowing that structure was likely confined to the four walls of their home,” says Lavis.

Supporting employees, who

— Shannon Wiebe Mentorship and Outreach Team faced their own personal challenges and anxieties, was another key priority.

From March through July, Wiebe was one of two people charged with phoning each of COR’s employees individually on a bi-weekly basis to ensure they felt safe and valued and had everything they needed to carry on.

For Wiebe, the experience reaffirmed the power of the organization’s core philosophy.

“We support our people and we take care of each other,” she says.

“As a team, we get through tough things together. And that’s what Covid has been like for us: we got through something hard and it made us stronger.” 

SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

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162

FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES

30

YEARS, AVERAGE AGE OF ALL EMPLOYEES

6

WEEKS, MAXIMUM VACATION ALLOWANCE

57%

CREATIVE OPTIONS REGINA EXPRESSING GRATITUDE

OF LEADERSHIP TEAM ARE WOMEN

IT TAKES

Courage TO

Care

creativeoptionsregina.ca

o proud t

be

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SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

FNBC supports Indigenous prosperity

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acha Favel had several objectives in mind when she joined First Nations Bank of Canada in 2015 as a commercial banking service officer.

“I wanted a secure and stable environment,” she says, “and long-term employment with an organization that fosters internal growth.”

The first Canadian chartered bank to be independently controlled by Indigenous shareholders, FNBC opened for business in 1996. From its headquarters in Saskatoon, the bank focuses on commercial customers in markets dominated by Indigenous peoples while operating nine full-service branches and nine community banking centres in markets with significant numbers of Indigenous peoples.

A new and relatively small bank that’s growing into a niche market, FNBC offers several advantages to potential employees. “You can be in your late 20s or early 30s, looking at multi-million-dollar credit facilities that you wouldn’t see at a conventional bank until much later in your career,” says Kevin Michael, vice president of commercial banking. “You can come in at an entry level and we’ll help you to build yourself up.”

Now a branch manager in Saskatoon, Favel took night classes at the Edwards School of Business at the University of Saskatchewan.

“As long as the educational program fits my role,” she says, “the bank will pay my tuition under its professional development program.”

FNBC also offers a range of internal development courses while encouraging career advancement through mentoring and coaching.

FIRST NATIONS BANK OF CANADA'S OFFICE IN SASKATOON

“The bank is really amazing at promoting from within,” Favel says.

With an economics degree from the University of Saskatchewan, Michael joined FNBC as a commercial account manager after six years in the industry.

“When the bank came calling, I thought about how I could promote Indigenous communities,” he says. “Our shareholders want us to make money, but we also have a social role to play.”

Fulfilling that role hasn’t hindered the bank’s success, he adds.

— Kevin Michael Vice President, Commercial Banking “When I started, I never thought we’d be a billion-dollar bank, but we almost hit that target this year.

We have a substantial loan book, and our loan losses are next to nothing.”

As an essential service provider, FNBC has kept its branches open

during the COVID-19 pandemic, although provincial guidelines require clients and staff to wear masks. “I’m grateful to have a place to work that feels safe and secure,” says Favel. “But I never thought I’d have to tell people to wear a mask in a bank.” 

SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

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97

FULL-TIME STAFF

100%

HEALTH PLAN PREMIUM & FAMILY COVERAGE

38

YEARS, AVERAGE AGE OF ALL EMPLOYEES

59%

FIRST NATIONS BANK OF CANADA STAFF AT THEIR SASKATOON BRANCH

OF MANAGERS ARE WOMEN

We’re Hiring Join our Team! fnbc.ca/AboutUs/Careers/

to be Proud

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SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

McDougall Gauley raises the thoughtfulness bar

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our years ago, Michael Milani and other senior leaders at McDougall Gauley LLP, a law firm with offices in Regina and Saskatoon, decided to send all 200 of their partners, associates lawyers and employees for performance-empowering training. “It wasn’t inexpensive,” he says, “but it was probably the best investment we’ve made as a firm.”

Milani, a partner in the Regina office, knew they were already treating their people well but felt they could do more around mental health. “We wanted to help people recognize what they could do to help improve their personal and professional lives,” he says. Since then, to help encourage everyone to be more mindful in how they relate to one another, they must take about 40 hours of training sessions from The Pacific Institute.

The results have been better than Milani could have predicted.

“We’ve learned that when you empower everyone the proper way, you foster a more respectful environment,” he says. “I’m proud of our firm for investing the time and funds into this program.”

That respect might be evident in how a lawyer asks a legal assistant to revise a document. “We’re more thoughtful in what we say now,” says Milani. For example, “You’ve got the numbering wrong, would you do it again?” might become “We’ve got a numbering issue – let’s tweak it and see if we can improve the process.”

This kind of careful consideration is one reason legal assistant Darlene Higgs, who works with the commercial real estate team, has stayed with the firm for more than 40 years. “I enjoy working

MCDOUGALL GAULEY TAKES A STRONG ROLE IN SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY, WHICH INCLUDES DONATING TO FCC DRIVE AWAY HUNGER PROGRAMS

When you empower everyone the proper way, you foster a more respectful environment.” with people who have integrity and a high standard of ethics,” she says. That care was clear when Higgs was sent home to work remotely when COVID-19 hit Regina.

Both Milani and Higgs applaud the law firm’s IT department for quickly connecting everyone at home. Although Higgs missed the social aspect of being at the office, she enjoyed seeing her co-workers’

— Michael Milani, Q.C. Partner

faces on her computer screen and having her two “assistants” – her cocker spaniels – keep her company. When it was safe to do so, she returned to the office part-time.

As a member of the law firm’s social committee, Higgs has done a lot of fundraising, including for

Farm Credit Canada’s Drive Away Hunger initiative and Regina General Hospital’s neonatal unit. “My daughter was born at the hospital, and while she was fine, we know that not every baby is,” she says.

“It makes me feel really good to help and give back.” 

SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

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124

FULL-TIME STAFF

60

YEARS, LONGESTSERVING EMPLOYEE

6

WEEKS’ VACATION ALLOWANCE, AT 26TH YEAR

MCDOUGALL GAULEY STAFF IN REGINA RECEIVING THANKS FOR THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE 2019 CAMPAIGN TO REDUCE LOCAL FOOD INSECURITY

BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1891. mcdougallgauley.com

SASKATOON (306) 653-1212 • REGINA (306) 757-1641

66%

OF MANAGERS ARE WOMEN

22

SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

COVID-19 brings permanent change to SATCC

O

rganizational change usually occurs slowly, but not in the year of COVID-19 and not at the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission. “We’ve been through a remarkable experiment in managing change in a very short period of time,” says chief executive officer Jeff Ritter.

The changes began in mid-March when he and his executive team instructed almost all employees at the Regina head office, the Saskatoon office and eight other branches that they would have to work from home until further notice.

Normally, the commission held monthly information meetings for all staff. Head office employees attended in person while others dialled in from remote locations.

With everyone working from home, meetings became virtual using digital technologies and initially were held daily.

“They became forced practice sessions on how to use these new communication tools,” says Ritter, adding that there were unanticipated benefits. “The distance between us changed. Staff in Saskatoon and elsewhere were just as close to me as the staff in Regina.”

Staff members found themselves doing things very differently. “All our files used to be paper-based,” says assessment coordinator Kristin Zerr. “COVID has changed us. Now everything is online or PDFs.” That, too, has proved beneficial.

“If we do get sent home, or have to work from home when our kids are sick, everything is available to us,” says Zerr. “It’s definitely a welcome change.”

THE SATCC ENSURED FACE MASKS AND HAND SANITIZERS WERE AVAILABLE TO EMPLOYEES UPON THEIR RETURN TO THE OFFICE

In one case – signing documents electronically – management had to rely on staff for know-how.

“We had employees who said they knew how to do it,” says Ritter.

“They produced a YouTube video and shared it with the rest of us.”

Employees began returning to their offices over the summer, which also required some big changes. The commission made sure masks and hand sanitizers were available and instituted some new rules. Only one person at a time would be allowed in lunch rooms and washrooms.

We’ve been through a remarkable experiment in managing change in a very short period of time.”

— Jeff Ritter Chief Executive Officer

In a normal year, the organization holds an all-staff meeting in the fall to distribute long-service awards. Ritter also hands out handwritten notes of appreciation to every employee, based on feedback from managers. The pandemic meant the meeting had to be virtual, but he still “put pen to paper” and distributed notes.

The commission has long contributed to community-based charitable organizations – one of them being the Regina YWCA – and this year was no exception. The YWCA provided a list of personal care items it would distribute to women’s shelters, among others.

Employees purchased them and the commission delivered them. 

SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

23

74

FULL-TIME STAFF

62%

OF EMPLOYEES ARE WOMEN

53%

OF MANAGERS ARE WOMEN

730

MEMBERS OF SATCC'S UNITED WAY COMMITTEE SELLING CINNAMON BUNS TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE UNITED WAY

JOB APPLICATIONS RECEIVED LAST YEAR

It’s not a trade secret…

We’re proud to be named one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers. saskapprenticeship.ca

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SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

Giving back is Saskatchewan Blue Cross’s purpose

I

t’s nothing new for Saskatchewan Blue Cross to look after people – that’s what the company does. But when COVID-19 reached pandemic proportions last spring, the Saskatchewan-based health and travel insurer shifted into overdrive.

“My initial priority was to make sure every employee felt safe, protected, supported and informed,” says CEO Shelley Vandenberg, who had only joined the company in early January.

“We didn’t have a remote work force before, so the CEO and members of the leadership and technology teams stepped up and packaged computers and chairs and loaded them into employees’ cars to ensure everyone had access to the tools they needed,” explains Jennifer Sutherland, vice-president of strategy and innovation. “It was an impressive effort.”

But despite the need for that sudden and dramatic shift, there was no loss of service as almost the entire workforce was already working in a cloud-based environment. Since the remote shift, a number of virtual initiatives have been introduced to keep employees engaged and energized, ranging from values workshops to yoga sessions. “They are the heart and soul of the company, so we wanted to make sure we took care of them first,” adds Vandenberg.

Along with seamlessly transitioning to remote work and continuing to support more than 200 community organizations, Saskatchewan Blue Cross spearheaded a number of pandemic-related initiatives.

Through a partnership with one of its members, a distillery that quickly pivoted production, the company was able to supply 8,000

SASKATCHEWAN BLUE CROSS RECONFIGURED WORK AREAS TO ENSURE EMPLOYEE, MEMBER AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DURING THE PANDEMIC

litres of hand sanitizer to first responders throughout the province when none could be found.

It subsequently supported STARS Air Ambulance with funds for essential PPE and provided COVID relief funding to 10 rural hospitals across the province.

The company also distributed 30,000 ear guard straps to healthcare and frontline workers, and 3,000 reusable water bottles to students returning to school to save them from having to use communal water fountains.

“Everybody’s been really hit

Everybody’s been really hit hard and has had to change, and we’re so connected that we know where people need our help.”

— Shelley Vandenberg CEO hard and has had to change, and we’re so connected that we know where people need our help,” Vandenberg says. “We’re giving in the ways that matter the most for our community right now.”

To help its individual and group plan members, the company has introduced several relief options to

keep everyone’s insurance coverage active. And for anyone who has to cross the border, the company’s travel and health insurance policies have been changed to include COVID-19 coverage.

“It’s what we do; it’s why we exist,” says Vandenberg. “It’s our purpose to give back.” 

SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

25

243

FULL-TIME STAFF

7,410

JOB APPLICATIONS RECEIVED LAST YEAR

44

YEARS, LONGESTSERVING EMPLOYEE

SASKATCHEWAN BLUE CROSS DONATED 3000 WATER BOTTLES THAT PROVIDE A SAFE WAY FOR CHILDREN TO STAY HYDRATED DURING THE SCHOOL DAY

73%

OF MANAGERS ARE WOMEN

Together, we’re stronger.

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SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

Making staff feel special drives Saskatchewan’s WCB

S

hortly after joining the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB), Maggie Gilmore got into its Regina headoffice elevator with a man she had never before seen. Turns out he was the former CEO, but Gilmore had yet to meet him or see a photo. She vividly remembers the incident from a decade ago: “He looked me in the eyes, smiled and said, ‘How are you doing, Maggie?’”

Right then, Gilmore knew she was part of a caring organization.

“The fact that he knew who I was made me feel valued,” she says.

“I was astounded. It told me that I was not a cog in the wheel, that I was someone the organization cared about.”

Ten years later, Gilmore, now a senior employer services specialist responsible for staff training and quality assurance, says COVID-19 provides the most recent example of an organization that nurtures its own employees as well as promoting safe workplaces throughout Saskatchewan. Within days of the pandemic’s onset, Gilmore and 97 per cent of the staff were working from home. “They went to amazing lengths to make sure we were safe and comfortable,” she says.

First, Gilmore had her office chair delivered to her home, the results of a safety hazard assessment that was completed for all staff. Keyboards and other computer equipment came for those in need. And everyone, whether they owned one or not, got a new fire extinguisher. “I had one already, but this one was state of the art,” Gilmore says. “It was greatly appreciated.”

For Stuart Cunningham, WCB

WITHIN DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC, 97 PER CENT OF EMPLOYEES AT SASKATCHEWAN WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD WERE WORKING FROM HOME

vice president of human resources & communications, providing a safe work home environment was just a first step. “We quickly realized that there were also potential psychological health impacts created by this new work environment,” he says.

As a result, management communicated with staff on a nearly daily basis at the onset, and by June, was offering an online program on 'Enhancing Workplace Resiliency'. Some 75 per cent of staff have registered for the program, Cunningham says.

They went to amazing lengths to make sure we were safe and comfortable.”

— Maggie Gilmore Senior Employer Services Specialist

Even before COVID-19, the WCB recognized that staff have many outside-office needs that impact their work attitudes.

“People have different needs, and it’s important for employers to be flexible,” Cunningham says. “To support work-life balance, we offer flexible work hours and job sharing

– and 60 per cent of staff participate in one or the other.”

The WCB’s caring attitude also extends to the wider community.

Staff can take a day off with pay to support a charitable cause. Says Cunningham: “We want to be an organization that inspires everyone to make a difference.” 

SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

27

488

FULL-TIME STAFF

6

WEEKS, MAXIMUM VACATION ALLOWANCE

64%

OF MANAGERS ARE WOMEN

17

EVEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, 60 PER CENT OF STAFF AT SASKATCHEWAN WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD TAKE PART IN FLEXIBLE WORK HOURS OR JOB SHARING

WEEKS, MATERNITY LEAVE TOP-UP PAY

Our employees shape who we are.

They are

the reason we’re one of Saskatchewan’s

Top Employers! www.wcbsask.com/careers

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SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

Saskatoon Police Service puts officer safety first

I

n 2014, the Saskatoon Police Service moved into a new headquarters designed to accommodate a growing workforce. That proved to be an unexpected advantage when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020.

“We’re not facing the same constraints as a police service operating in a building that is 30 or 40 years old,” says Clae Hack, executive director of corporate strategy and performance. “We have the luxury of a little extra space.”

That said, the service still had to make numerous adjustments, big and small. Employees in some administrative departments worked from home between mid-March and early May, but since then most have returned to the office, with plexiglass barriers between physically distanced desks.

“We’ve had senior managers with tape measures checking distances between desks,” says Hack.

“In certain areas where proper social distancing isn’t possible we are continuing to have people work from home.”

Frontline officers patrolling the community have also had to adapt.

“Policing involves a lot of face-toface contact with people,” says Kelsie Fraser, senior coordinator of public relations and strategic communications. “Like a lot of other organizations, we’ve had to come up with different ways of doing business.”

Officers now wear face masks any time they interact with the public and, in higher risk situations, they wear goggles and latex gloves. The service also decided to handle low-priority calls, such as noise complaints, over the phone rather than by dispatching an officer.

SASKATOON POLICE SERVICE OFFICERS WEAR FACE MASKS ANY TIME THEY INTERACT WITH THE PUBLIC

Such measures have proved effective. Eight months into the pandemic, frontline officers had remained free of infection and only one civilian member of the service had contracted COVID-19.

Communication has been a critical part of the service’s response.

“Our executive team has done a great job providing daily updates and answers to frequently asked questions so that our employees feel informed,” says Fraser. “We’ve also done multiple videos with the chief, which were posted to social media so that the public understands the changes.”

The service normally operates

Policing involves a lot of face-toface contact with people. We’ve had to come up with different ways of doing business.”

— Kelsie Fraser Senior Coordinator of Public Relations and Strategic Communications

a number of community outreach programs for youth, women and girls interested in policing and for victims of crime. “We’re doing what we can to maintain those relationships through virtual or socially distanced meetings,” says Hack.

The chief normally meets reg-

ularly with local elders who sit on the Indigenous Advisory Committee. “The relationship is still important and the chief is looking at different ways of maintaining it,” says Hack. “He’s had to hold smaller meetings or one-on-one conversations over the phone.” 

SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2021

29

694

FULL-TIME STAFF

42

YEARS, LONGESTSERVING EMPLOYEE

43%

OF EMPLOYEES ARE WOMEN

SASKATOON POLICE SERVICE OFFICERS FROM THE SCHOOL RESOURCE UNIT IN MASKS

2,000

STAFF VOLUNTEER HOURS LAST YEAR

Tell us your story If you are an exceptional employer with progressive human resources programs and initiatives, consider applying for next year’s edition of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers. Now entering its 22nd year, our national project is Canada’s longest-running and best-known editorial competition for employers.

For information on next year’s application process, visit:

CanadasTop100.com/2022 Applications for our 2022 competition will be released in February and must be returned by April.

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