Manitoba's Top Employers

4 engaging www.accesscu.ca innovative impactful work somewhere It's all about trust: At Access Credit Union, employees at every level are empowered to make decisions, share ideas and speak their minds. These are just a few of the elements of working for the southern Manitoba credit union that saw an impressive 94 per cent of employees respond in its most recent staff survey that they were proud to work for the organization, and that contribute to Access being named one of Manitoba's Top Employers for the seventh consecutive year. "I often hear new employees say they like that we are an employer of choice, they appreciate the idea that we're there to support them with continuous education, and they love the values of the organization," says President and Chief Executive Officer Larry Davey. The trust factor comes in many forms. Employees are given the freedom and authority to make decisions throughout their work day that would typically demand management approval. They gather on the Community Investment Committee to evaluate major donation requests and choose, on behalf of the organization, how and where corporate contributions will be distributed. And they join the Health and Wellness Committee, which plans wellness activities and programs for all staff to promote healthy living. Access employees are also encouraged and supported — including financially — to embrace continuous education and career advancement, from specialized training to degree and diploma programs. "By empowering our staff, we are allowing them to not only take care of the day-to-day business in their branches, but also to take care of their careers and their training and development," Davey says. "People know their decisions are going to have an impact on our organization, and this has been a critical part of empowering them. We trust staff to be professional and to give their best to the members, to the community and to the peers they work with." Based in Winkler, the organization will soon expand from 260 staff in 17 branches spread out over the southern part of the province to 26 branches and about 420 employees, including in Winnipeg, when its recently approved merger with Crosstown Civic Credit Union finalizes in January. All staff will be able to benefit from some of Access Credit Union's attractive programs, such as three weeks of vacation to start. "Over the years, Access has been encouraging more of a work-life balance," says Anna Wieler, VP of Human Resources. "It's important for people to take time off to spend with their families, and we also give employees more flexibility in their work hours and location, when we can." Access also puts its trust in employees to come up with creative ideas and help evaluate new tools or initiatives. A team of employees make up the Innovation Centre, testing out new technology, questioning procedures and making suggestions for improvements before new programs roll out to the individual branches. Innovation Centre staff are trained to look at things in a new light, Davey says. "Our people know that when a change has gone through the Innovation Centre, it's been tested and is for the benefit of our members." Around the communities the organization operates in, it's not uncommon to see Access staff out and about, volunteering their time selflessly — both during and outside of work time — at events sponsored by Access. "Our branches each get a budget every year to support their own communities and surrounding areas, and they decide how to spend it," Wieler explains. "We want people to see that Access is a part of their community, and that we're there for them." For more information, visit accesscu.ca. ACCESS CREDIT UNION LIMITED THE VALUE OF EMPOWERMENT BY SHERRY KANIUGA ACCESS CREDIT UNION PHOTOS ACCESS CREDIT UNION STAFF MEMBERS VOLUNTEER AND TAKE PART IN FUNDRAISING EVENTS.

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