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Best Place to Work: Discovery Co-op

Sep 22, 2017 | 8:00 PM

The Battlefords’ own Discovery Co-op has been recognized in the Best of the Best Awards for Best Place to Work this year.

“We’re excited and thrilled that we would be selected for such a great award,” said marketing and communications manager Leanne Ducommun. “We really believe in family here. The Co-op family of employees is very important to us.” Leanne went on to say, “The Discovery Co-op’s brand tagline, “You’re at home here” is more than words on a page, and helps create a workplace where the employees treat each other as family. We believe that this then translates to our member-owners, where employees make them feel welcome in our facilities.”

There are many internal programs, committees and training that all contribute to creating a happy and engaged workforce. New employees are given several online training courses to ensure all the employees have the same basic information. Monthly group training is also held, with employees from several departments training together. As a diverse business and one that has locations in Cut Knife, Glaslyn, Radisson, Battleford, and North Battleford, with 19 different departments, every opportunity to draw employees together helps grow their understanding of the whole business. Discovery Co-op even worked with neighbouring Co-ops to have development days held at the Dekker Centre where over 400 employees were treated to motivational speakers and workshops.

With a strong commitment to overall workplace safety, the Discovery Co-op as an organization is very focused on ensuring every one of their 325 employees get home safely to their families at the end of the day. A signed member of the Saskatchewan Health and Safety Leadership Charter, Discovery Co-op has been focused on job safety; working and training to achieve “Mission Zero”. Just this year the Discovery Co-op was one of three medium sized businesses nominated for a Mission Zero safety award, where they finished as runner up. This was a proud achievement, made possible by the employee’s dedication to safety, and Discovery Co-op was the only Co-op in Saskatchewan nominated.

Employee contribution through committee work is another example of how the Discovery Co-op is a great place to work. An employee community Investment Committee exists with employees, and has the objective to support programs and organizations that matter to the employees. This employee led committee makes decisions to direct Discovery Co-op’s local giving on behalf of the wider employee group. Employee committees and employee surveys are also used to receive feedback on the working environment. These committees and surveys have created positive changes through the sharing of ideas on things like communication, employee recognition, training, departmental or business processes, and even the development of the company’s values.

“Our management team focuses on teamwork, and we take effort to help develop our employees in their careers. These continued efforts and our genuine belief that we are all in this together, is a major factor in being voted for the “Best Place to Work”, B.O.B. award in 2017.” – said Ducommun.

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Phone: (306) 445-9800

Address:
9800 Territorial Drive, North Battleford