Manitoba's Top Employers

4 Be part of the story, visit aptn.ca/careers Powerful, important television. Powerful, important careers. BY WENDY KING Every workplace has its own distinct culture. At APTN, Director of Human Resources Debbie Isaak sees APTN as having not just a unique culture, but a unique personality that expresses itself in the dignity and encouragement it affords its employees. It's one of the reasons that APTN has been cited as one of Manitoba's Top Employers for 11 years running. Isaak started as a Payroll Administrator in 2002, and with the support of a manager who saw her potential and drive, she studied and worked her way up through the ranks at APTN where she is proud to continue to work in, and influence, that workplace culture. "I believe our good work environment supports not only the mission and the objectives of APTN, but it also cultivates people and relationships through our shared beliefs and values," Isaak says. "Aspects of our 'unique personality' include ensuring that our employees feel at home when they are at work because we are sometimes at work more hours than we are at home." APTN's physical surroundings reflect the traditional cultures of Indigenous peoples. Isaak points to their maple-wrapped studio, accented with artifacts which are representative of the four directions and the traditional colours of blue, red, and yellow. "We have united news, investigative and technical teams together in one open space to foster cooperative relationships," she says. "And when we come together, our boardroom features a custom-made round worktable that echoes our traditional medicine wheel." Indigenous culture is addressed in APTN's training programs, as part of a dedicated budget for learning and development for all staff. "We offer cultural awareness programs in understanding Indigenous and treaty rights, workplace harassment awareness, WHMIS training, and we also require management training and development for anyone promoted to management," Isaak says. APTN has a formalized mentorship program which provides employees with some developmental and growth opportunities. "One thing I learned when I came into human resources here is that while APTN does a lot of training and development for our people if APTN WORK ENVIRONMENT PROMOTES THE VALUE OF PEOPLE AND RELATIONSHIPS they decide to leave us, we're OK with it," Isaak says. "We see it as a good thing and that we are helping them to move forward in their careers." Gender parity is also a priority at APTN. "Across the country, we have 53 per cent female and 47 per cent male employees; and 59 per cent female managers and 41 per cent male," Isaak says. "And I'm proud to say that 67 per cent of our employees across the country are Indigenous." Along with parity comes benefits for mothers and fathers. "We provide maternity and parental top-up for new mothers, new fathers and adoptive parents," she says. Staff who have contributed significant years of service are also recognized and celebrated with a mind to tradition. "Our service awards are unique," Isaak says. "With 10 years, a customized star blanket is awarded using the colours that are specific to the person's background, and our 15-year award is birchbark biting with traditional beadwork representing each distinct Indigenous culture." Scholarships lead to a bright future for young people. "We offer a formal work experience program, and we provide three $2,000 scholarships every year for one Inuit student, one Métis student, and one First Nations student which can be applied to meet any need related to their education including rent, food or school books," she says. APTN recognizes the importance of providing a socially responsive workplace. "We have a social committee which plans short-term events like barbecues or holiday parties for the kids, and an employee engagement committee which handles long-term initiatives like our RAP program," Isaak says. RAP stands for "recognize, appreciate and praise," a program which generates an upbeat atmosphere with immediate positive feedback from managers to staff, and amongst and across all team members. "It might be an acknowledgement with a little gift that says: thank you for helping me out on a project," Isaak adds. "It doesn't cost much but is it very effective." APTN also recognizes that people bring different gifts and talents to the worktable. "We have a Share Your Talents program, where we can invite someone who is adept at beading or crocheting or painting, for example, to share their knowledge at a lunchtime class," Isaak says. Conversation and communication are encouraged with two digital boards in the lobby keeping everyone up to date on community events, services and awards, and more. "I've been with APTN for 17 years, and I can attest to how great a place this is," Isaak says. "APTN supported me in my venture to pursue human resources and to earn and continue to maintain my Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation. It's a demonstration of how cultivating our employee is about ensuring a culture of ongoing learning." APTN's social committee is responsible for creating fun and dynamic social events that encourage camaraderie beyond the workplace. PHOTO BY APTN

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