LANGLEY, B.C. – First West Credit Union has earned the prestigious distinction of being one of “BC’s Top Employers” for 2024. Now in its 19th year, BC’s Top Employers— an initiative driven by Mediacorp Canada Inc.— is a special designation that recognizes the British Columbian employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work.
“Our credit union’s purpose is to create a future where everyone can flourish, and our team members play a vital role in living out that purpose. When their physical and mental wellness is at the forefront, it has a positive impact on our members and communities,” says Liz Bailey-Connor, Chief People and Culture Officer at First West. “We are incredibly proud and grateful to be named amongst such esteemed company with this recognition and it further validates our desire to build a compassionate, people-first culture where no one gets left behind.”
Editors at Mediacorp review employers on eight criteria, which have remained consistent since the
project’s inception: (1) Workplace; (2) Work Atmosphere & Social; (3) Health, Financial & Family Benefits; (4) Vacation & Time Off; (5) Employee Communications; (6) Performance Management; (7) Training & Skills Development; and (8) Community Involvement.
The editors highlighted a few key reasons for First West’s selection, including that the credit union:
- Maintains a Compassion Fund for employees experiencing financial hardship due to extraordinary and unforeseen circumstances and supports a thoughtful “Back on Track” program to provide employees and credit union members with solutions to ease financial hardship.
- Helps employees prioritize their health and wellness with quarterly health challenges to promote physical activity, monthly team-based wellness huddles, and access to confidential counsellors onsite — the credit union also recently increased coverage for mental health care to $2,000 annually.
- Enables employees to lend a helping hand to causes that are near and dear to their hearts with up to three paid days off to volunteer (employees donated over 1,200 volunteer hours on company time in the past year).
- Has an internal promotion rate of over 60 per cent, creating opportunities for employees to expand their career in many directions, with networking, job shadowing and mentoring support to help them flourish.
First West is British Columbia’s third-largest credit union with over 1,250 team members and 45 branches throughout the province under the Envision Financial, Valley First, Island Savings and Enderby & District Financial brands.
For more information on “BC’s Top Employers” and the 2024 recipients, visit: https://www.canadastop100.com/bc/