Manitoba's Top Employers

21 Build your career with Canada's leading furniture brand. PALLISER.COM/CAREERS PALLISER FURNITURE UPHOLSTERY LTD. PALLISER WORKS FOR THE GREATER GOOD BY GEOFF KIRBYSON Palliser Furniture might be the only manufacturer in Manitoba — or possibly even in Canada — to have a growing relationship with the United Nations. No, the Winnipeg-based furniture maker doesn't provide comfortable chairs and sofas for the break rooms of the intergovernmental organization responsible for maintaining peace and security and fostering co-operation around the globe. Instead, it has partnered with one of its divisions — the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) — to create a refugee employment program to help people arriving in Mexico from South America in search of a better life. "Palliser is leading an innovative project for the region, and setting up a training program targeting employability skills for the refugee population. The refugee process takes time, so as employers of the region it's an opportunity to develop skills that can benefit industry in the area, while helping these families get established." said Wendy Ferris, Palliser's Chief Culture and People Officer. Palliser has a trio of plants in Mexico, in Matamoros, Saltillo and Las Colinas, and employs about 1,800 people there. It also has 700 employees in Canada. The driver of the company's humanitarian work is longtime CEO Art DeFehr, who stepped down a few years ago, but whose history of humanitarian work is as long as his business record. "We've had some partnerships with hiring refugees directly into the workforce (in Mexico), but the refugee population is rapidly growing at the southern Mexico border, and we need to think of new ways to match industry needs with the workforce." Ferris said. So, Palliser put together a contingent, including Ferris and DeFehr, that travelled to the town of Tapachula to see the situation up close. (DeFehr is no stranger to the UN. He took on one of its senior positions in Somalia in the 1980s when warlords first took over the famine-ravaged country.) The desire to promote the greater good is a big part of Palliser's corporate DNA at its headquarters in North Kildonan. In fact, its workforce bears a striking resemblance to the UN itself. "We have a very inclusive workforce and we support newcomers to Canada. These are people who want to start a new life. They've overcome a lot of adversity and made their way to us. They work very hard and they add a richness and depth to our workforce. We're very diverse and we're lucky to have them in Winnipeg," she said. "We're an organization that cares about the people within our walls and beyond our walls." Palliser has once again made the list of Manitoba's Top Employers. But it didn't get there just through its hiring practices. The culture and benefits are big part of the attraction to any good company and Palliser works hard to make sure its offering to employees continues to remain competitive. "That's something every company needs to do to make sure they're current and up to date. Palliser is very people-oriented and wants to make sure our people feel supported and rewarded, making Palliser a place they are proud to be a part of," she said. The company also has a very active social committee that plans a wide variety of events for the staff throughout the year, as well as charitable initiatives at agencies such as Siloam Mission and Main Street Project. "We collect tins for the bin but we also create hampers for people within our own Palliser community who may be able to use them. We give out but we take care of our own people, too," she said. As part of its health and wellness plan, Palliser recently launched the "Calm Zone" initiative that invites staff to take part in guided meditation and low-impact stretching and yoga over the lunch hour. Other benefits for employees include tuition subsidies, paying employee prices on made-to-order furniture and access to wholesale pricing at EQ3, a division of the Palliser group of companies. In addition, Palliser is setting itself up for a bright future. The company recently opened a new office workspace in Winnipeg that was designed to encourage teamwork and communication. It features plenty of natural light, a modern environment and open work areas. "We are moving into a new way of working to drive innovation, collaboration and energy," she said. "It's an exciting time to be part of a company with such a rich history, and an exciting future."

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