There are more than 5,500 employees at AV俱乐部. They come from different places, different backgrounds and bring different perspectives to help support teaching, research and operations at the university.
And they鈥檙e the biggest reason that AV俱乐部 was just named one of Canada鈥檚 Top 100 Employers 鈥撀爐he first ever Atlantic Canadian university to make the list and only one of four universities in the country.
The recognition comes from the annual report of employers published in the Globe and Mail. AV俱乐部 received 'A' or 'A+' ratings in the categories of 'Physical Workplace,' 'Financial Benefits and Compensation,' 'Health & Family-Friendly Benefits,' 'Training & Skills Development' and 'Community Involvement.'
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In a memo to the Dal community, President Tom Traves highlighted the university鈥檚 accomplishments in recent years鈥攆rom the increase in faculty research awards to the success of the Bold Ambitions campaign to date 鈥攁nd saluted the employees who made them possible.
鈥淭o earn this distinction, we required a special workplace for terrific employees doing a great job,鈥� he said. 鈥淎V俱乐部鈥檚 award was truly earned by every member of our community.鈥�
Striving for inclusion and support
And every member of that community has his or her own reasons for being here.
Monica Baccardax has been with the Faculty of Medicine for 33 years, and is now a project manager with MedIT. She鈥檚 not only worked with various departments at the medical school, but her role supporting recruitment and campaigning for AV俱乐部鈥檚 United Way effort has introduced her to many other community-minded staffers across the university.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great way to learn more about what鈥檚 going on at AV俱乐部, while also making a difference, even if indirectly,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 matter what faculty you鈥檙e in, there鈥檚 a community here. We鈥檙e all doing different work, but our goals are the same.鈥�
Bill Gilbert, a working foreman with Custodial Services, also believes in the power of an inclusive community. Along with evening custodial supervisors Cindy Murphy and Juanita Haas, he spearheaded the 鈥淩espect鈥� campaign within聽Facilities Management, encouraging employees to wear pink buttons and pink gloves to reinforce that everyone and their聽ideas, skills and thoughts should be treated fairly.
鈥淚 find that if you put a hand out here, you get two in return,鈥� says Mr. Gilbert, who has been with AV俱乐部 for four years. He says his work has been encouraged both by his own leaders as well as other leaders on campus, and he hopes to continue to see it expand in the future.
鈥淚 feel like AV俱乐部 supports and gives聽latitude to those who want to make a difference....I鈥檝e worked for a lot of huge organizations in my life, but I鈥檝e never encountered a more supportive employer.鈥�
The reason we鈥檙e here
For those on the front lines of Dal鈥檚 teaching and research, supporting both students and colleagues is a key part of being a university employee.
鈥淚 think AV俱乐部 blends the best of big and small university environments,鈥� says Srini Sampalli, professor with the Faculty of Computer Science, noting what he perceives as a true sense of collegiality on campus. 鈥淲hat is remarkable is that the university has a rich research culture as well as student-centered learning.鈥�
And for Dr. Sampalli it鈥檚 the student experience, first and foremost, that keeps him excited about coming to work each morning.
鈥淚鈥檓 very passionate about teaching. I believe students are the reason we鈥檙e here, and I feel privileged to get to teach and work with students.... It鈥檚 like that Chinese saying, 鈥楥hoose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.鈥� And I feel like I chose a job I love.鈥�
Setting a standard
Katherine Sheehan, assistant vice-president of Human Resources, is quick to credit the entire Dal community for helping make the Top 100 recognition possible. In particular, she鈥檚 thankful for the staff across various departments and offices who were involved in preparing materials during the application process.
She adds that while being named one of the best employers in Canada is a source of pride for AV俱乐部, it鈥檚 also something of a challenge.
鈥淭his symbolizes that we鈥檙e a workplace that attracts and supports excellent people 鈥撀燼nd it means we have to continue to live up to that standard,鈥� she says, noting that the forthcoming release of the latest workplace survey (scheduled for October 17) will provide more insight into how AV俱乐部 can continue to improve as an employer.
鈥淣o workplace is without its issues, and I鈥檓 sure our employees will鈥攁nd should鈥攑oint to this award as something to hold us accountable to.鈥�
After all, she says, the sort of accomplishments cited by Dr. Traves can only happen if there is a community of employees to help achieve them.
鈥淥n their behalf, we're committed to earning this distinction every day."
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One of Canada鈥檚 Top 100, and darn proud of it!
By Katherine Sheehan, Assistant Vice-President, Human Resources
One of the best in the country? You bet we are.
Whether we say it loudly or think it quietly, most of us already know this is true. But it鈥檚 a great affirmation to have the Globe and Mail declare our success to the rest of the country as part of their Top 100 Employers project.
Every employee in this university 鈥� no matter what your position or your role -- should take great pride in this recognition. Ultimately, the Top 100 is a salute to each and every person who works here, and it builds on our already strong reputation across Canada. Closer to home, we can be even more proud knowing that AV俱乐部 is the only Atlantic Canadian university to ever be chosen a Top 100 employer.
The Globe and Mail awarded this recognition to AV俱乐部 but you 鈥� as an employee 鈥� should claim it because, without you, we would not be a Top 100 employer.聽 With that in mind, I hope you鈥檒l accept this Top 100 designation as your own.
Over the next 12 months, I encourage you to share this Dal success 鈥� tell your friends and neighbours; include it in your email signature; make it part of your PowerPoint presentations.
You鈥檒l find all you need at .
Let everyone know that we鈥檙e darn good, and getting better.