“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.

“The University of Manitoba is pleased to be recognized for the work done to date to advance diversity and inclusion in our community,” says Dr. Tina Chen, Executive Lead (Equity, Diversion and Inclusion) at UM. “At the same time, we know this is an ongoing process, and that meaningful and sustained transformation requires centering equity, social justice and anti-oppression.”

One of the main points of recognition for UM was the establishment of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) committees within work units and faculties. These groups meet regularly to help establish, communicate, promote and foster inclusion and diversity in the workplace. Dr. Chen’s appointment as the inaugural Executive Lead for EDI at UM provides further leadership on these efforts, bringing together an institutional network of EDI efforts and providing vision for the work being done.

“A key aspect of the UM EDI Strategy is to promote understanding of system inequities and barriers, and to take action to dismantle barriers,” says Dr. Chen. “In this way, we seek to build a new foundation on which to build an increasingly diverse and inclusive UM community.”

EDI initiatives part of strategic path forward

Some of the recent and ongoing initiatives include THRIVE programming. Centred around mental health, wellness and centring on EDI, the THRIVE learning and wellness event took place in May and brought faculty and staff together to discover new resources, tools and supports to help work effectively and stay healthy.

On a policy level, UM has set out a strategic path through the President’s Task Force on EDI. In response to the final report and recommendations, EDI and accessibility are a strategic priority. Institution-wide policy review, establishing working groups and embedding equity impact analyses across the university are all underway.

These committees include the Anti-Racism Task Force. Established in March, the goal of this task force is to acknowledge that UM is part of Canada’s colonial history and to ensure over time, that the university becomes a place where everyone has equal opportunity to thrive and achieve their fullest potential. The group includes diverse members from across UM who have been advancing racial justice and decolonization through their leadership, experience, subject matter expertise and community involvement.

Other initiatives include seeking to address ableism on campus. Through a review of physical spaces on campus, EDI committees are seeking to go above and beyond minimum standards, ensuring persons with disabilities can navigate the university effectively.

Recognized for engagement

Also in its recognition of UM as a Best Diversity Employer, Mediacorp Canada Inc. cited the university’s unique Success Through Wellness Grants, which are provided to students and staff who propose projects that engage the campus community in fostering positive mental health and well-being. UM’s strategic priority to create pathways for Indigenous achievement – including Gaa wii ji’I diyaang, a council of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples walking together and helping to create a community – was also praised.

The 2022 Best Diversity Employers award is a part of Mediacorp Canada Inc’s announcement of Canada’s Top 100 Employers. Read more about the editorial competition here.

That’s why, this May, you should plan to attend UM’s THRIVE learning and wellness event that focuses on helping UM faculty and staff thrive individually, professionally and organizationally. 

Sessions are scheduled from Tuesday, May 16 to Thursday, May 19, offered concurrently starting at 10:00 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. Most will be held online, with select sessions taking place in-person.

Everyone is invited to attend as many sessions as possible during this fun week of events!

For those who can’t attend, check back at the THRIVE site on UM Intranet, or take a look at the session recordings channel, since many sessions will be recorded and can be watched later—even with your whole team.

And don’t miss the special keynote address at noon on May 16 by Tina Chen, UM’s inaugural Executive Lead (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion). She will be speaking on “Why does equity, diversity and inclusion matter?” Please note that this will be a virtual event, and all faculty and staff are encouraged to attend.

So many choices

There are over 35 sessions to choose from! Sessions are offered in three streams: Living, Working and Leading.

The Living stream offers sessions to help you plan your career, drumming circles, benefits of yoga, organizing your home and workspaces, and moving from procrastination to momentum.

The Working stream sessions are designed to help you to expand your skill set and thrive at work. There are sessions focused on OneNote, O365 approvals, Microsoft forms, lean email management and ways to use Mentimeter—and more.

The Leading stream is meant to develop leadership skills in everyone, and includes sessions on team building, running effective meetings, onboarding, difficult conversations, leading by personality type.

Sessions are open to all. Please note, registration is required for some sessions.

Here’s a taste of the interesting, fun learning & wellness activities available—things you can learn more about to help you improve and thrive at work and in your life.

We have sessions available on:

• Decorating a recycled plant pot, take home a new plant friend, and learn coping techniques to beat climate anxiety.
• How to foster 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive spaces
• Getting beyond the status quo in supporting a safe and respectful campus culture
• Participate in an interactive, in-person wellness drumming circle
• New fun and useful features for Teams presentations
• Creative conflict
• Onboarding pandemic hires
• Planning your career
• Top issues facing managers
• Skills to build positive relationships
• M365 sessions including Microsoft forms
• Pausing for mindfulness
• and much more!

Check out the complete list of THRIVE sessions on UM Intranet.  

Please note, registration is required for some sessions.

If you require an accessibility accommodation to participate in THRIVE, please contact UM [dot] Accommodation [at] umanitoba [dot] ca or 204-474-7195.

A message from Dr. Michael Benarroch, President and Vice-Chancellor, and Naomi Andrew, Vice-President (Administration)  

The warmer weather over the past few days is a welcome sign of spring as more of us return to campus. It’s wonderful to see our friends and colleagues, to pause for informal chats in hallways and to enjoy the outdoor spaces.

This past weekend, many of us also had the opportunity to gather in-person to honour Indigenous graduates at the Annual Traditional Graduation Pow Wow. It was a beautiful event and wonderful to be part of the celebration. 

Reconnect at Campus Beautification Days and Pride Flag Raising

We invite the entire UM community to dig in for Campus Beautification Days, which are taking place again after a two-year hiatus. Join in at Bannatyne campus on Friday, May 13 and on Wednesday, June 1 at Fort Garry campus (rain date June 2).  

You can catch up with colleagues and friends across campus during the gardening activities starting at 9 AM, and the free BBQ lunch at noon on each campus. All are welcome for lunch—and there are great prizes to be won. Dress for the activities and bring your gloves, spades and rakes!

The day kicks off with the Pride Flag Raising at Fort Garry Campus on June 1 at 9am. Watch for more details to come.

Reset with THRIVE 

Another opportunity for staff and faculty is the upcoming THRIVE week, UM’s learning and wellness event, with sessions scheduled from Monday, May 16 to Thursday, May 19. Everyone is invited to discover new resources, tools and supports to enhance your work and stay healthy. 

And don’t miss the special keynote address at noon on May 16 by Tina Chen, UM’s inaugural Executive Lead (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) on the topic “Why does equity, diversity and inclusion matter?”  

We all share in making our community more welcoming, accessible and inclusive. Plan to join in online at this important virtual event, and find out more about how we are prioritizing equity, diversity and inclusion in institution-wide planning and action. 

We look forward to seeing you soon!

It all starts with a special keynote address at noon on May 16 by Dr. Tina Chen, UM’s inaugural Executive Lead (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion). She will be speaking on the topic, “Why does equity, diversity and inclusion matter?”

All faculty and staff are encouraged to join in online at this important virtual event and learn more about how we can all share in making our community more welcoming, accessible and inclusive. Attend as a group and organize a follow-up team forum to discuss actions you can take to help.

This presentation will also be available after May 16 on the THRIVE page on UM Intranet for individuals or teams that could not attend.

Join the Zoom:

Read on for more EDI sessions available at this year’s event.

Learn how to harness the power of inclusion—and other EDI sessions during THRIVE

The Power of Inclusion, presented by Val Williams:

Let’s talk about the power of an inclusive culture where everyone is welcome, respected and valued for their unique contributions! Presenter Val Williams says, “I love this workshop, because I see others become enthusiastic about equity, diversity and inclusion which I see as core values of our university.”

What Does Reconciliation Have To Do With Me? presented by Cary Miller:

This workshop will explore the responsibilities of individual Canadians in the work of reconciliation with Indigenous people.  Topics will include the ongoing impacts of colonialism, upholding treaties as a collective civic responsibility, and what non-teaching units can do to engage in reconciliation in the work place.

Learning, Growing, Affirming: Fostering 2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusive Spaces, presented by Jay Cormack

This workshop will explore how to assess and address the environmental, language, and emotional dimensions of 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion in all settings. Resources for further learning will be shared, as well as practical considerations and takeaways to better foster inclusivity for everyone.  A resource list document is included as part of the workshop to further education on 2SLGBTQIA+ terminology, identities, and experiences.

See times and descriptions for these EDI  THRIVE sessions on UM Intranet.

Want more?

To learn more about, help advocate and help advance access, equity, diversity and inclusion at our university, join the EDI community of practice for monthly meetings that explore EDI best practices, invite guest speakers for specific topics of interest, and facilitate group discussion around difficult issues and adding skills. 

Take time to THRIVE  May 16 to 19: More info

THRIVE has been specially designed to give employees the chance to connect with colleagues across our campuses and discover new resources, tools and supports to enhance our work and to help us stay healthy.

With over 35 sessions to choose from, THRIVE sessions are offered in three streams scheduled from Monday, May 16 to Thursday, May 19: Living, Working and Leading. Sessions offered concurrently starting at 10:00 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. Most will be held online, with select sessions taking place in-person.

Everyone is invited to attend as many sessions as possible during this fun week of events!

For those who can’t attend, check back at the THRIVE site on UM Intranet, or take a look at the session recordings channel, since many sessions will be recorded and can be watched later—even with your whole team.

Read more about this year’s THRIVE week.

See the complete list of THRIVE sessions on UM Intranet.  

Please note, registration is required for some sessions.

If you require an accessibility accommodation to participate in THRIVE, please contact UM [dot] Accommodation [at] umanitoba [dot] ca or 204-474-7195.

UM’s THRIVE series helps employees find balance, connection and new skills to flourish while living, working and leading.

The conference-style, learning and wellness event focuses on helping UM faculty and staff thrive individually, professionally and organizationally.

With over 35 sessions to choose from, THRIVE 2022 will take place from May 16 to 19. The week kicks off with a special keynote address at noon on May 16 by Tina Chen, UM’s inaugural Executive Lead (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion). Please note that this will be a virtual event, and all faculty and staff are encouraged to attend. Watch for more details in the weeks leading up to the event!

Most of the THRIVE sessions will be held online, with select sessions taking place in-person. Session will be offered concurrently starting at 10:00 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m.

 What does it mean for you and your colleagues?

“We want this year’s learning and wellness event to help set people up to thrive as we transition back to on-campus work,” says Darlene Smith, Associate Vice-President (Human Resources).

The event has been designed to help teams and colleagues connect across campus through networking, learning and skill building.

THRIVE sessions are organized into three streams: Living, Working and Leading. You are welcome to join sessions from each of the streams, based on your interests and learning goals.

What are employees saying about THRIVE?

We received a lot of great feedback from employees who attended sessions during last year’s THRIVE week. Here’s what some had to say.

“It was inspiring. I learned new information and ways of doing things and it was great to connect with people in a different way.”  

“It was very informative and a hoot to attend.” 

“It is a great opportunity to invest in ourselves [and] feel supported to do so by our employer.” 

New connections, new energy

“THRIVE is designed to give employees an opportunity to connect with each other, and to reinvigorate their work with new ideas, new skills and other resources,” says Smith.

“We hope you come away energized, and with a refreshed sense of purpose, belonging and community. See you there!”

Find the complete list of THRIVE sessions on UM Intranet.  

Please note, registration is required for some sessions.

If you require an accessibility accommodation to participate in THRIVE, please contact UM.Accommodation@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-7195.

Learning and wellness sessions will share resources, tools and supports for how to work effectively and stay healthy—to flourish as a community.

Visit UM Intranet to register and learn more.

If you require an accessibility accommodation to participate in THRIVE, please contact UM.Accommodation@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-7195.

JANUARY

Finding Flow: Motivation in Self and Teams

Date: Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Time: 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Stream: Leading

Navigating the return to campus will require adaptation and self-awareness from each of us. In this session, we will be able to identify how we can motivate ourselves to create a strong culture of support in the transition.

FEBRUARY

“That didn’t feel right…” 5 ways to support co-workers, and yourself, when personal boundaries are crossed

Date: Thursday, February 10, 2022

Time: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

Stream: Individual

Timed to coincide with the UM Sexual Violence Awareness Week, taking place February 7 to 11, this session will talk about something that is rarely openly discussed – that space between personal and professional interactions at the workplace. Participants will come away with practical tools on supporting others and themselves; and will also hold a stronger knowledge of UM policies and resources available to them in this area.

“It can be really disorienting when our personal sense of space and safety are crossed in our workplace.  Maybe a colleague tells a sexist joke, a stranger zoom bombed your session, or you receive a text that wasn’t okay for the other person to send – these can feel really isolating, risky and tricky to negotiate in a professional setting where your success depends on ongoing positive relationships,” says session facilitator, Bre Woligroski.

“This session will provide practical skills for attendees on how to manage these situations, as well as information on campus options and resources.”

Facilitators wanted

The three-day THRIVE conference will be back in 2022. If you are interested in facilitating a session, please reach out to HR@umanitoba.ca. The dates will be finalized shortly.

Looking for a fun and friendly competition within your faculty or unit? Organize a wellness BINGO or movement challenge during the month of October. For instructions and more hands-on wellness tools, templates and resources, see the wellness activities and materials page on UM Intranet.

Attend October’s THRIVE at UM wellness session

THRIVE, UM’s health and wellness series, is back with some fall programming!

October’s session focuses on maintaining our wellbeing during the transition back to campus. The session is timed to coincide with Canadian Mental Illness Awareness Week, which takes place from October 3 to 9.

“We are all navigating the changes brought about by the pandemic, the newest of which for many of us is the transition back to working on campus,” says Arlana Vadnais, Employee Wellness Specialist.

“In this session, we will learn how to create a plan for intentional wellbeing practices to support and maintain wellness and manage any return-to-campus anxiety. I hope to see you there!”

Return-to-Campus Action Plan for Wellbeing

Date: Thursday, October 7, 2021

Time: 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM

For: All UM employees

Facilitator: Arlana Vadnais

Register by emailing Arlana at arlana.vadnais@umanitoba.ca. A link to the session with be provided upon registration. 

Wellness toolkit for managers

Managers also have a role to play in supporting a culture of health and wellbeing on campus. The Manager’s Toolkit: Employee Wellness provides guidance to managers on ways to support employees throughout the spectrum of well-being; from the maintenance of well-being and prevention of illness and injury, to navigating illness, injury and sick leave, to safe return to work following a sick leave.

Stay active and keep moving

Commit to your physical and mental health by attending one of UM’s sport and recreation facilities or programs or break a sweat at home by assessing UM virtual health and fitness classes.

Finding that you’re sitting in a lot of Teams meetings? Try organizing a walking meeting on campus or a phone call. You may find a boost in your energy and creativity, and reset your focus.

Employee and Family Assistance Program: accessible 24/7/365

Our Employee and Family Assistance Program has resources and information to help you with financial, family, mental and physical well-being issues, including:

• Connecting you with nutrition and fitness professionals.
• Mental health, addictions and stress/burnout and also provides free, confidential counselling support.
• Creating a will and financial advice, such as budgeting and investing.
• Conflict and communication, marriage and divorce, caring for children and other family members and more.

Wellness during COVID-19

The pandemic continues to be challenging for everyone and has made maintaining well-being difficult. Review ways to stay connected, stay informed and focus on your self-care during this unique time. 

Other digital ways to promote wellbeing

Looking for ways to support a healthy workplace within your virtual or hybrid team? Try some of these ideas:

• Set up a virtual high-five board to support peer-to-peer recognition.
• Create a Meet your Co-workers channel in Teams where members of your team share information about themselves and fun FAQs. This can be valuable when onboarding new employees.
• Set up virtual wellness walls to post encouraging messages, nutrition tips, fitness activities and other wellness events and resources.
• Encourage opportunities for team connection through virtual coffee breaks or lunch hour chats.
• Most importantly, make it fun! Organize a virtual Halloween party or costume contest, trivia contest or recipe showdown, to name a few ideas.

Looking for more ways to be a wellness champion at UM? Visit Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month’s healthy activities page for additional inspiration. Find out more about UM’s commitment to mental health and wellbeing by visiting the  Success Through Wellness Mental Health Strategy page.

“I’m really proud of how we came together as a community to support one another and to ensure teaching and critical research continued,” says Darlene Smith, associate vice-president, human resources.

As we have settled into our new virtual world, there’s been an increased need to reconnect as a community and to share our collective knowledge across faculties and units.

“While employees managed very well in the transition to remote work, sometimes we were merely surviving, rather than thriving as we should.”

THRIVE, a new virtual learning and wellness event, has been created to support people and help them to connect with others and learn and grow—individually, operationally and in their leadership skills. The three-day event will take place from June 22-24. A complete list of sessions can be found on the UM Intranet.  

THRIVE: A NEW LEARNING AND WELLNESS EVENT

“We want this virtual learning and wellness event to help people thrive in our new remote work setting,” says Smith.

THRIVE sessions are organized into three streams: Individual, Operational and Leading. You are welcome to join sessions from each of the streams, based on your interests and learning goals.

Session streams will be offered concurrently starting at 10:00 a.m. and ending at 2:50 p.m. Each session will be 50 minutes in duration, giving participants time for a short break between sessions.

What does it mean for you and your colleagues?

To help you thrive personally, you and your colleagues can join sessions on mindfulness, making lasting changes in an ever-changing world, capturing your creativity and plant care tips.

Operational sessions include topics such as sharpening your skills for virtual advising, learning inspiring ways to use MS Teams, and getting to ‘inbox zero’ with email tips and widgets for those of us with an overflowing email inbox.

The leading stream includes interactive forums and watch & learns, tips for virtual onboarding and remote team-building. 

“We hope you leave THRIVE with a new skill or with resources to make your remote work less challenging,” says Smith.

And most importantly, we hope you leave with a refreshed sense of community. Hope to see you there!”

A complete list of sessions can be found on the UM Intranet.  

Please note, registration is required for some sessions.

To see UM Intranet log in instructions, please visit the transition page.