Manitoba's Top Employers

18 MANITOBA'S TOP 25 EMPLOYERS 2015 Bepartoftheconversationat Discover.Monsanto.com. MonsantoandVineDesign ® isaregisteredtrademark ofMonsantoTechnologyLLC©2014MonsantoCompany. ® T o some observers, it's a mystery why some companiesthrive,andothersdon't. Look a little closer, and it soon becomes evident why some companies are successful, and others are mediocre: the successful companies provide their employees with a sense of purpose that drives their efforts day-in,dayout. At Monsanto Canada, that sense of purpose comes from gettingemployeestoseethebiggerpicture. "Agricultureisagreatindustryandagricultureisallthatwe do," explained Monsanto Canada's Public & Industry Affairs Director, Trish Jordan, who is based at the company's head officeinWinnipeg."Ourmissionistonourishourworldandwe collaborate with others to ensure agriculture is sustainable, today and into the future. So, first and foremost, we want to share the story of agriculture with our employees and help them see the important role they can play in providing solutionstohelpfarmersgrowfoodinasustainableway." Next, the company instills in employees the huge impact agriculturehasontheworldaroundthem. "It's something that doesn't always come immediately to mind, but it should – that agriculture makes a critical contributiontosociety;itplaysahugepartinourdailylives," shesaid."Foodisimportanttoeveryone,andouremployees see how their work can help farmers, farm better. That knowledgegivesthemarealsenseofpurpose." Monsantoalsomakesaconcertedefforttoactivelydothe thingsthathelpcreateagreatplacetowork. "It'sactuallyinourcompanypledgetocreateagreatplace to work and we take that very seriously," said Jordan. "We wantourcompanytobeaplacewherepeoplewanttocome toworkeveryday." At Monsanto, creating a great place to work comprises many things from making sure employees feel included in management decisions, providing support for career development plans, or crafting on-the-job development experiences, as well as offering more formal training or learning. And of course, a strong benefit package that includescompetitivesalariesisamust. But it also involves the simple acknowledgement that employeeshavelivesbeyondwork.Consequently,company leaders strive to ensure employees have good work- lifebalance. "Take work flexibility," she said. "Because we're not an 'eight-to-five' company, management will consider different work arrangements, such as enabling employees to work from home, and ensuring employees have the flexibility to attend to appointments as required. We also implemented 'Meeting-Free Friday afternoons' last year so people have time to wrap up their week and get ready for the weekend. Andwehaveadopteda'noemailonweekends'policysoour peoplereallygetabreakfromworkontheweekend." Approachability is another ingredient required to create a positiveworkenvironment,sheadded. "I think our employees would agree that our management team is approachable, and is focused on creating a supportive, encouraging environment. We do set lofty goals and have high expectations of our employees, but when peopleknowmanagementtrulycaresaboutthem,theywant to come to work. I'm proud to say that Monsanto Canada scoresconsistentlyhighonemployeeengagementscores– wesurveyouremployeesfourtimesayeartomakesurethey feelengagedandcontentintheirwork.We'realwaysseeking employeefeedback." Monsanto Canada is also constantly striving to find ways to improve its work culture and their people are huge contributorstothat. "Ithinkwehaveacultureofneverbeingsatisfiedwiththe status quo – we're always trying to find better ways to do things.Wewantpeopletofeel,'Wow!Whatagreatcompany mission,whatagreatplacetowork.'Ifyoucangetemployees to understand your company's mission, treat them with care and consideration, and engage them in solving problems, they'll not only be excited about coming to work, but they'll also have a story to share about working for Monsanto and hopefully will share their story with others. That's key to helpingpeopleoutsideofMonsantounderstandwhoweare andwhatwedo." ByToddLewysforTheFreePress MONSANTO Mission,flexibility, approachabilitykeyto Top25Employerstatus Fromleft,Olympicgold-medalwinningcurlersJenniferJones,KaitlynLawes,JillOfficerand DawnAskinspeaktostaffatMonsanto.PhotobyDarcyFinley

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