The WCB invests in its people to help Manitobans

For more than a century, the Worker’s Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB) has been honing its core business – taking care of the needs of injured workers and improving workplace safety conditions in the province.

This focus takes dedication and hard work, says Sarah Wallace, director of communications and public relations. It starts with attracting, developing and retaining people.

“Not only does investing in staff provide employees with new opportunities for training, learning and growth, but these opportunities also lead to better customer service experiences for stakeholders,” she says. “Having a plan in place to ensure the correct people receive the proper training to grow and develop puts the WCB in a position to ensure the organization’s continued success in the future.”

Attending professional development courses and conferences is a key part of the mix, says Wallace. “Fostering professional growth and development is not just a goal but a strategic commitment to our employees. Developing leadership skills is a top priority for us. New methodologies and assessment tools, cross-departmental training, access to formal training and university courses and other professional development are all important.”

The WCB has also introduced a leadership development program in collaboration with the Advanced Program in Management, Leadership and Strategy at the University of Manitoba’s Asper School of Business to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for success in leadership roles.

The WCB’s employee-centric policies become apparent as soon as a new employee settles into the office. New employees meet with an occupational therapist, who sets up a safe, comfortable workstation for every new employee to prevent injuries associated with repetitive stress and computer-based work. “Our ergonomic program is something I’ve never experienced before at other organizations,” says Wallace. “It’s unique. But for the WCB it’s a priority.”

There are other priorities as well. The WCB recognizes the importance of having a healthy balance between personal and professional lives, says Wallace – supporting programs that include earned days off and flexible work hours. Employees can work extra minutes during the day to allow a shorter work week. Those who enjoy early mornings can schedule their workday to start as early as 6:55 a.m., while the more nocturnally oriented can start later in the day. “Having flexible work programs goes a long way to creating a healthy work environment.”

Genevieve Daly is the organization’s manager of payments and medical aid. She loves the work-life balance that’s part of her career.

But the real job satisfaction, she says, comes from the people she works with every day – people who share a strong motivation to improve the lives of WCB clients. “At the end of the day we all recognize that we’re all here for the same purpose, one that’s very important: to support injured workers and their employers through difficult times.”

Daly and Wallace are both relatively new employees – a fact that makes them unusual in an office where many people count their service in decades. Wallace joined the organization just a year ago, drawn by its mission-driven culture and by the positive reputation that the WCB enjoys in the community.

“You won’t find many employees as new as me, and that’s one of the things I love about the WCB,” she says. “We have staff who have been here more than 40 years. People stay here for their whole careers, and that says a lot.”

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.