Video: 'Culture of gentleness' makes for top employer

Creative Options Regina provides much-needed support to caregivers on staff

Video: 'Culture of gentleness' makes for top employer

Caregiving is a highly demanding duty, and organizations in this space know that sustained commitment to their staff and the people they serve are the elements that bring meaning to their work. For Saskatchewan-based Creative Options Regina (COR), one of Canadian HR Reporter’s Best Places to Work in 2021, significance is founded on gentleness through which the charitable organization builds companionship and community with people who are experiencing disabilities.

Employee experience advisor Casey Sakires attributes COR’s distinctiveness to this philosophy: “[It] all comes back to gentle teaching. We’re rooted in [this] philosophy, and it really places the relationship at the forefront of everything we do. From there, it is our philosophy of care, but it’s so much more. It’s a culture of gentleness, so it’s ingrained in all of our HR policies and practices, down to how we mentor and how we interview and how we coach.”

Sakires – who recently spoke on video with Sarah Dobson of Canadian HR Reporter – says COR’s “intentional” hiring process involves being active in the community and having an employee referral program. The organization looks for a values fit, which means finding out whether a job applicant has “a good heart that wants to make a difference in someone’s life”.

Another main aspect of COR’s culture is consistent support for its employees. “High-quality care now really means that we have to care for the caregiver as well. So, we provide training to make sure everyone’s feeling comfortable and confident, and also many different layers of support,” he adds.

Closely related to this objective is a holistic approach to wellbeing that takes into account the physical, mental, and lifestyle aspects of health. In addition to prioritizing mental health through the organization’s Employee Family Assistance Program, COR participates in a nationwide campaign called “Not Myself Today,” which aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues.

To nurture engagement, COR finds out its employees’ interests and passions, and organizes group activities focused on photography, art and music therapy, and science, among other fields. Financial literacy sessions and dietary assessments have also been conducted, as well as employee engagement surveys, which have provided feedback on parental leave and other staff concerns.

Since developing a strong relationship with the community is an important responsibility for COR, the organization continues its diversity promotion efforts. “When we talk about being your true, authentic self, the more diversity that we have, the more shared experiences and opportunity to grow and learn from each other,” says Sakires.

Watch the full interview here

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