Manitoba's Top Employers

13 LRSD is a Winnipeg school division that offers French and English education from kindergarten to Grade 12. They serve over 15,000 students at 40 schools and are committed to excellence for students and staff. LRSD employs 3,431 people, including teachers, principals, educational assistants, clerical, custodial, administrative staff and others at 43 locations. The division is proud of their high staff retention rate, diverse workforce, supportive work environments and competitive benefit packages and salaries. This is reflected in the name of the department formerly known as "Personnel"—now proudly changed to "People Services." Changing the department name gave LRSD an opportunity to look at our organization and address how we can be better for all staff to do their jobs and have fulfilled lives. "Our people are more than resources, they are people working and living their lives. We need to ask ourselves what can we do to help them become successful." explains Duane Brothers, superintendent for LRSD. "The importance of my job is to create an environment in which people can create a shared vision, and then create new realities," says Brothers. LRSD shows what happens when you take care of your staff — your organization thrives and those receiving your services benefit. The division is proud of their high graduation rate at 86 per cent. The division is also dedicated to offering services to Indigenous youth and incorporate Indigenous traditions. Brothers says the division wants to address historic and structural barriers that have held back some Indigenous people, so that everyone can receive equal opportunity. And it's working. Two years ago, the division held its first graduation powwow and honoured 30 graduating students. Last year, we honoured nearly 100 graduating students, both Indigenous and non- Indigenous students, in a traditional way. This all starts with staff. LRSD employees receive an enviable health benefits package and an employee assistance program fully paid for by the employer. LRSD also takes the extra step of caring for overall employee wellbeing. The board office offers an on-site fitness room and fitness classes, while employees and their families benefit from discounted memberships at various facilities. Salaries are competitive and include pensions, short- and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, general and retirement savings plans and even corporate discounts on select computers, software and data plan providers. Some employees at the Board Office can access flexible working options, including temporary or permanent reduction of work hours for partial or full-time leave of absence. Flex work start times and end times are an option for Board Office employees. "People are more productive because of this. Staff are incredibly appreciative," says Brothers. Vacation time varies according to position. Teaching staff receive discretionary leave time during the school year, and salaries are averaged over the 12-month period so they receive income during the summer. Non-teaching staff receive 13 paid holidays after one year and increased time with accumulated service. LRSD offers education, training and mentorship programs for employees. They put special emphasis on helping new teachers, who enjoy a year-long program including workshops even a "mentor" to help them succeed, and become excellent educators. Teacher Savannah Olson praises these opportunities, saying, "LRSD has been very supportive, offering me several professional development opportunities and mentoring as a first-year teacher." LRSD believes in connecting with their community too, so they created RIEL-EVATE, a separate entity from LRSD, that is a registered charity supporting families, students and community members within the division. LRSD also provides opportunities for staff to volunteer with charities. It can be difficult to foster good working relationships in large organizations, but LRSD encourages staff to socialize and support each other. The board office boasts an employee-funded social committee which organizes potlucks, games and fund raisers for charities. The division also holds an annual banquet to recognize retiring staff and those who have reached milestone service years, and an annual staff appreciation social. The warm atmosphere encourages individual friendships too. Michelle Linton, an administrative secretary in the board office, shares that staff members from various departments meet on coffee breaks to go walking together. "The friendships that we've fostered over these breaks provide support and encouragement, and there is a real sense of community in this office," says Linton. LRSD is proof that caring for employees leads to positive outcomes. Louis Riel School Division's (LRSD) commitment to creating a great place to work has won them a place as one of Manitoba's Top Employers. SHARED VISION AT LOUIS RIEL SCHOOL DIVISION AN IN-HOUSE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING SESSION IN PROGRESS AT THE LOUIS RIEL SCHOOL DIVISION. SUBMITTED PHOTO LRSD shows what happens when you take care of your staff — your organization thrives and those receiving your services benefit. The division is proud of their high graduation rate at 86 per cent.

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