Wawanesa’s new office enriches the employee experience

When Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Co. moved into its new headquarters in Winnipeg this winter, Amanda Hope saw the space as more than 21 floors of inspiring beauty and floor-to-ceiling light. For her, it was another example of her employer continuing to exceed her expectations.

“The building offers an exceptional employee experience,” says the senior communications specialist who joined Wawanesa in 2019. “Bringing all our Winnipeg-based people into one building that was literally built for our employees, taking their needs into consideration, is making an already excellent company even better.”

The diversified, modern insurance company now occupies its own newly built tower in downtown Winnipeg, allowing close to 1,100 employees, who were previously spread throughout the city, to work under one roof.

Construction of the 21-storey building began in 2019 and from the start, the well-being of Wawanesa’s employees was at the heart of the project, says Hope.

“The whole building is open to our employees,” she says. “Every type of workspace you could ever imagine is in that building. I have never seen anything like it.”

With floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the building, the atmosphere is bright and welcoming. Most of the office space is open concept and offers employees a variety of options, from standing desks, comfortable reclining chairs and couches to different kinds of collaborative meeting spaces. Employees can book a space that serves their needs depending on their working day, says Hope.

The building also offers employees a wellness centre, a café that provides healthy options and an outdoor patio, as well as one floor dedicated to in-person training and learning. Future plans include the addition of a child-care centre.

“I know the new building will empower people to work in the best way for them,” says Lisa Osachoff, senior vice-president, chief people and culture officer. “There are so many different spaces for how people want to sit and collaborate and work. It’s going to really create that true day-to-day work experience that enriches an employee’s overall experience.”

Wawanesa continues to offer flexible hybrid work arrangements to best meet needs. While the company’s executive team spends three days a week in the office, employees and their managers work together to establish suitable schedules that include two days a week in person.

Delivering valuable work experiences is what Wawanesa’s leadership team strives for daily. “Recently, we had an increase in our employee engagement, and I really believe that’s due to our employees seeing the value and importance of the work they do every day,” Osachoff says.

Working as a collective and staying true to the company’s pioneering roots remain at the heart of Wawanesa’s values and work culture, she says. Wawanesa was founded by two farmers in 1896 in the village of Wawanesa, southwest of Winnipeg.

“That value of ‘let’s help each other out’ has carried over to the company we are today with over 3,300 people across Canada, and yet we still have that vibe of caring and community,” says Hope. “Everyone is always willing to put up their hand and help someone out.”

This article appeared in the magazine announcing the winners of this year's Manitoba Top Employers competition, published March 19, 2024 in the Winnipeg Free Press. This article was prepared with the financial support of the employer, who did not write or review the content.