UM named a Manitoba Top Employer for twelfth consecutive year

The University of Manitoba has been named one of Manitoba’s Top Employers (2023), as well as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers (2023) by Mediacorp Canada Inc., recognizing the institution’s commitment to supporting employees and retaining top talent within the organization, as well as ongoing equity, diversity and inclusion work.

“We are honoured to be recognized once again as one of Manitoba’s Top Employers for 2023,” says Naomi Andrew, Vice-President (Administration) at UM.

“Creating a positive workplace environment that supports employee fulfillment and wellness is a key priority for the University of Manitoba as we continue to advance post-secondary education in the province. This award is a testament to our ongoing commitment to providing outstanding employment and development opportunities for employees across our institution.”

To achieve the Manitoba’s Top Employers (2023) designation, employers are evaluated using eight criteria: workplace; work atmosphere and social; health, financial and family benefits; vacation and time off; employee communications; performance management; training and skills development; and community involvement.

Reasons cited for UM’s designation as a Manitoba Top Employer (2023) include:

• Employee supports to adopt healthy lifestyles through an annual wellness week and subsidized memberships to the university’s fitness facilities;
• Supporting new moms with generous maternity and parental leave top-up payments (to 95 per cent of salary for 35 weeks) as well as providing parental leave top-ups for new dads and adoptive parents (to 95 per cent of salary for 18 weeks) along with on-site daycare for when new parents are ready to return to work;
• Helping employees continue their own education with tuition subsidies for courses both related and not directly related to their current position;
• Offering entry-level job opportunities for the next generation through summer employment, co-ops and paid internship opportunities.

In addition, UM has also been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers (2023) for the seventh consecutive year. The Best Diversity Employer designation recognizes employers across Canada that have exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs.

“This Best Diversity Employer designation recognizes UM’s work to build an exceptional workplace through robust diversity and inclusiveness programs and initiatives,” says René Ouellette, Associate Vice-President (Human Resources) at UM.

“As we continue implementing recommendations from the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Task Force Report, these values of equity, diversity and inclusion will remain at the centre of our strategic planning processes to ensure we best serve the needs of the UM and wider community.”

Reasons shared for UM’s selection as a Best Diversity Employer (2023) include:

• The establishment of UM’s first anti-racism task force to support the university’s EDI strategy and drive the implementation of the university’s commitment to the Scarborough Charter;
• The work of UM faculty EDI committees who meet regularly to further workplace inclusion and understand issues raised by faculty and staff in order to establish, communicate, promote and foster inclusion and diversity in the workplace;
• The creation of Gaa wii ji’i diyaang, a council of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples walking together creating a community through relationship building, education, advocacy and action.

“This acknowledgement of the work UM has done to date recognizes initial steps taken to address various forms of oppression and to promote equity,” says Tina Chen, Executive Lead, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

“We will continue to engage with the broader UM community to hear their input and to ensure UM is an inclusive and equitable employer for all.”

The Mediacorp Canada Inc. awards list can be viewed on the Canada’s Top 100 Employers website.