Manitoba's Top Employers

17 THROUGH THE COMPANY'S STRONG FOCUS ON DEVELOPMENT, EMPLOYEES ARE PROVIDED WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW AND DEVELOP ON THE JOB. SEVENTY PER CENT OF THE TRAINING IS DONE ON THE JOB, WHILE 20 PER CENT IS THROUGH COACHING AND FEEDBACK, INCLUDING MENTORING. Ten per cent is achieved through formal classroom learning, which can mean either internal or external courses. The company supports both through tuition subsidies for qualifying employees. "Everyone at Monsanto has an individual development plan, and our leaders support our employees as they grow and advance in their careers," says Michiel de Jongh, President and General Manager. "It you want to drive your career forward, there are lots of opportunities and possibilities. This is a company where you can flourish." Monsanto is an agricultural company that provides solutions for farmers looking to increase their yields, while reducing their inputs and making their farming operations more sustainable. The company attracts employees who believe in the organization's vision, which allows them to contribute to larger societal needs, such as protecting the environment while ensuring safe, abundant food for all. "Our purpose and vision is very compelling. We provide a broad set of solutions to help farmers nourish our growing world. Without food, we cannot live," de Jongh says. "We have a very relevant purpose within society." A strong focus on work-life balance provides employees with flexibility and down time. Over a year ago, the company launched two new initiatives: "Meeting-free Friday afternoons" and "No email on weekends." "Friday afternoons with no meetings gives our employees time to get the week wrapped up and plan for the next one," says de Jongh. "And no emails on weekends means our employees really get a break from work and have a chance to refresh with their families." Monsanto also works to support the work-life balance of its employees by considering flexible hours and work arrangements when required. This allows people to manage their working hours while making time for attending family appointments or events, such as going to their children's plays or tournaments and supporting aging parents. "We are a company that values diversity in opinions and perspectives. We know this makes our business stronger," de Jongh says. "We're also always on the edge of what is new—we're proud of being recognized by others as a very innovative company." When it comes to typical work benefits, employees receive three weeks vacation when they join the company and four weeks after three years with the company, as well as paid time off during the Christmas holiday season. New parents appreciate the company's maternity and parental leave top-up payments, which are available to mothers, fathers and adoptive parents. Monsanto also offers a generous subsidy for fertility drugs. "We always strive to be competitive with our benefits package," adds de Jongh. "But that is just a start. There are a lot of non- monetary initiatives that really round out what makes us a great place to work." For instance, Monsanto believes in giving back to the communities where its employees live and work, he says. "Our employees like coming together for a cause and working together to have an impact on the lives of others. We're very actively involved with the United Way. It's an opportunity for us to have an impact on our community." The company provides paid volunteer time and matching contributions to charitable organizations where employees donate their own time and money. Employees can have donations to their favourite charities matched by the company, up to a maximum of $500 a year. In rural communities Monsanto offers the "Canada's Farmers Grow Communities" program, in which farmers nominate a charitable organization or not-for-profit group for a chance to win one of 66 grants valued at $2,500. "It is our way to help grow rural communities and improve the lives of rural residents. We also provide university entrance scholarships to 60 or 65 students from farm families who are starting their first year of university or college in an agriculture or agriculture-related field," says de Jongh. Monsanto has been a Top Employer in Winnipeg for the past nine years. "This is a big deal for us. It's great for our team to know they're working for one of the better companies in the country," de Jo ngh says. "We're proud of it, and we think it's very important." For People, Plants & Planet. Making a balanced meal accessible to everyone in a sustainable way requires a wide range of ideas and resources. Learn more at Discover.Monsanto.com Monsanto and Vine Design ® is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC. ©2015 Monsanto Company. Michiel de Jongh, President and General Manager of Monsanto Canada Inc. Photo by Darcy Finley. MONSANTO Employees flourish at Monsanto By Holli Moncrieff MANITOBA'S TOP EMPLOYERS

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