Manitoba's Top Employers

20 MANITOBA'S TOP 25 EMPLOYERS 2014 WESTMAN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP Community spirit key for Westman Communications Group By Holli Moncrieff For the Free Press At Westman Communications Group, everyone is on a first-name basis. And that's exactly how they like it. "We try not to be too corporate. You can have a professional environment without people walking on eggshells," said John Quail, Chief Marketing Officer. "If the coffee pot is empty, communications provider that offers cable TV, Internet and home phone for residents and businesses in the Westman region, which includes Brandon, Virden, Swan River, Killarney and Dauphin. Since Westman Communications Group is a co-operative, its customers also own shares in the company. Community engagement is a big part of the company's mission. "We hold events for our customers throughout the Westman region. It's great to go out and Westman Communications Group staff. Submitted photo you can see the president making a fresh pot. We're not very hierarchical. Everyone calls our president (Dave Baxter) by his first name." Westman Communications Group is a engage with our community. We're a co-op, so our members earn equity when they buy our television, Internet or phone services. That is something none of our competitors offer," Thank You for selecting Westman as one of Manitoba's Top Employers for 2014! Supporting the community we serve is an important part of who we are. If you'd like to join our team, visit westmancom.com/careers Quail said. "We're definitely champions of the local community." The company offers $18,000 annually in scholarships to Assiniboine Community College, Brandon University, and over 30 high schools in their trading area. "A student in each high school who has been accepted into a technology program at a Manitoba university or college will be selected to receive a $500 scholarship," said Quail. Along with the community programming made available through WCGtv, their cable TV station, the company provides free educationally relevant programming to high schools in the Westman region. Westman Communications Group runs an active United Way campaign each year. In their 2012 campaign, employees raised over $7,500, which was matched by the company. "We also volunteer our time with the local food bank Helping Hands," added Joy-Ann Orisko-Inkster of Westman Communications Group's Human Resources department. Employees who volunteer are entered into the "Dollars for Doers" draw, where the company makes a donation to the winner's charity of choice. Westman Communications Group's 135 employees can take advantage of a wide variety of perks, including draws for free concert tickets and hockey games held at Westman Communications Group Place, where the Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings play. Tickets were recently given away to staff for performers such as Great Big Sea, Kiss, Motley Crue and Kenny Rogers. "We get free ice time for one hour most Wednesday nights throughout the winter," Orisko-Inkster said. "We're able to play pick- up games at Westman Communications Group Place. Sometimes we have up to 30 people show up. It's completely free for our staff." Employees share in the company's success with year-end bonuses based on individual performance reviews. Westman Communications Group also matches their employees' RSP contributions, which can be up to four per cent of the employee's salary. "We encourage all our employees to participate. It's basically free money that's available to our staff," said Orisko-Inkster. With their Flexi-Plan benefit, each employee can receive $250 every fiscal year to subsidize things such as RRSPs, gym memberships, dance lessons, daycare or technology purchases. "We encourage balance. We are flexible for people who have family responsibilities," Quail said. "All perks are shared. They aren't held in the hands of a few. We're very lucky." Employees enjoy a variety of social events and celebrations throughout the year, including an annual holiday party, annual year-end party, a summer barbecue and a themed springtime celebration. "We have an active social committee that puts on different events. One of the highlights is when our president holds a barbecue at his house in the summer. Invitations go out to all staff," said Orisko-Inkster. "It's a small community. No matter what division you work in, you get to know everybody. Relationships are formed. It's a warm environment to work in." This is the first year Westman Communications Group applied to be considered for Manitoba's Top Employers. "It is very gratifying to make this prestigious list the first time we applied," Quail said. "We've been around for 35 years, so we represent a secure workplace for our employees. We're in a dynamic industry which people find interesting."

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