More and more job seekers are looking for an employer who supports them as an individual. Not only with recognition, but
with forward-thinking policies in health and wellness, flexible work options, and growth and development opportunities.
Job seekers are looking for organizations that are agile, able to pivot to address the ever-evolving work environment. Combine that with a career opportunity that applies and grows their skills, and a meaningful mission that matches their values and you are moving towards the pinnacle of job satisfaction.
Does it exist?
World Vision Canada ticks all these boxes—in fact, our organization was recently recognized as one of
Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2023, for just these reasons
. We spoke with team members at our kick-off for the new fiscal year, and we’re happy to report: our employees agree!
World Vision Canada recognized as a best employer in Canada
To be one of the best companies to work for in Canada, you can’t just copy what other businesses are doing. You need to reinvent and create policies that meet the ever-changing needs of your diverse workforce, and you need to implement them efficiently.
World Vision Canada is setting new benchmarks and redefining ways of supporting employees as individuals. All while focusing on our overall mission to help communities lift themselves out of poverty – for good.
Being a great place to work means responding to employee needs
As workplaces moved their businesses to operate remotely, many employees started re-evaluating their current situations.
Flexible work options are now deemed a must for many job seekers.
World Vision Canada quickly responded to these needs and created progressive policies like Orange Days, where full-time employees are allotted an additional six flexible paid days off either before or after a long weekend. We added Wellness Days, an additional five paid days off specifically introduced during the pandemic to allow for employees to take time off for personal reasons in flexible increments.
For Terry, a father of two and a public engagement manager at WVC, this flexibility matters a lot—he calls World Vision Canada a “family-friendly place to work.”
“World Vision Canada allows me to be a better parent, a better dad,” he said.
After two years of remote-only work, staff at World Vision Canada got to have an in-person celebration to kick off the new fiscal year.
Along with the flexible paid days off policies, the organization pushed the envelope further on flexibility options after rolling out their WorkAway Program in 2022. This program ensures that a flexible workforce is sustained moving forward. Offering a mixture of in-office, hybrid (one to three days/week in office) and fully remote roles to employees with the expectation that approximately 87% of the organization will remain working remotely long-term.
Defining positions as fully remote allows the organization to source the best talent from across the country. Qualified candidates are no longer hindered by geography or proximity to the head office, instead the best candidate for the role can be hired from anywhere in Canada. This is a win-win for both the organization and for job seekers.
Even in a remote-first environment, employee engagement isn’t lost—for Molly, a philanthropy advisor, World Vision Canada is “a forerunner in engaging its employees.”
Virtual organization-wide events bring staff from far and wide together online, such as our weekly community gatherings with inspiring guest speakers, annual staff Secret Santa, and internal speed-networking.
Mental health support through effective health and wellness programs
Workers have come to expect
health and wellness programs from their employers. World Vision recognizes these needs and has placed increased focus on employee mental health and wellbeing, especially throughout the pandemic. For example, employees were invited to attend mental health management support sessions provided by wellness experts at LifeWorks and have expanded their mental health benefits to include psychotherapist services.
The policies recognize the fundamental value the organization places on their employees, their health and their wellbeing.
Pearl, a strategic sourcing and procurement co
-ordinator, appreciates being able to be open and honest about wellness and wellbeing at work.
“World Vision Canada is a place where you can bring your whole self to work,” she said. “You don’t have to monitor yourself—you can bring your authentic self and be exactly who God made you to be.”
While this checks off one of the boxes for job seekers, the other box is working for an organization where they can make a difference and where their work matters.
Meaningful jobs at World Vision
World Vision Canada is Canada’s largest global relief, development and advocacy organization. We partner with government, communities, faith partners, peer organizations and the private sector to support and promote the wellbeing of children, families and communities internationally.
And for Ruchika, a brand associate, part of what makes work meaningful is the joy she gets from working alongside like-minded colleagues.
“The teams I work with are amazing,” she said. “They’re supportive, they’re fun, and the work is really meaningful. It’s a great place to feel fulfilled at.”
From in-office events to weekly virtual gatherings, creating opportunities for teams to gather together in person make a positive difference in increasing staff engagement, even in a remote work environment.
Our advocacy efforts span from local-level advocacy interventions to improve social accountability, to country-level efforts to change policies. We also support international programs aimed to change the way we as a society approach important topics like global hunger, poverty, and even climate change.
The goal is to bring real and lasting change to the lives of the world’s most vulnerable, for good.
While the mission is ambitious, World Vision’s track record and our impact internationally provides employees with the opportunity to make a difference.
Job seekers will be encouraged to know that World Vision Canada is that winning combination of award-winning employee programs with an affirming mission to improve the lives of individuals globally.
Visit the Careers and Internships page for current opportunities at World Vision Canada