Manitoba's Top Employers (2026) Magazine - Magazine - Page 11
MANITOBA’S TOP EMPLOYERS (2026)
WAA
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p Winnipeg Airports Authority operates a 4,000 sq. ft. harvest garden at the airport, with employees harvesting vegetables and donating them to local families in need.
Office life is better with soup
Building community and connection in a uniquely Manitoban way
E
ach Monday at APTN
(Aboriginal Peoples
Television Network), a
member of the “soup group”
turns the fifth-floor kitchen
into a mini potluck, hauling in crockpots,
sourdough and everything from lasagna
soup to West African peanut stew.
Kimberley Overly, manager of traffic
and one of the original soup people, says
the informal group began around fall 2019
and was revived after the pandemic when
people were starved for connection. Ten
employees across four departments
currently participate, taking turns cooking
the lunch which has expanded to include
homemade desserts.
“The potluck style is part of being
Manitoban,” says Overly. “Much is about
coming together to enjoy each other’s
cooking and creativity, but exploration is a
huge part. It’s cool how so many of us are
comfortable trying new things and
experimenting with different recipes.”
APTN is just one among many of
Manitoba’s Top Employers (2026) with a
unique take on sharing and caring. For
instance, Winnipeg Airports Authority
Inc. operates a long-running 4,000 sq. ft.
harvest garden on the airport campus,
donating the vegetables to Harvest
Manitoba for local families in need. Staff
roll up their sleeves to plant potatoes,
carrots and beets every spring and again to
harvest in the fall. In between, employees
are given time during their shifts to take
turns tending the garden.
“It’s a nice way of stepping away from
work for a short while and to feel like
you’re giving back, amongst team
members who are doing the same,” says
Kerilee Falloon, director, communications
and marketing. “It’s a lovely bonding
experience.”
Access Credit Union Ltd. provides
another example of Manitoba’s caring
culture, with its $500 professional attire
and wellness benefit, offered annually for
full-time employees ($300 for part-time
and $150 for casual employees). No less
than half is for professional attire only,
including branded clothing, but the rest
can be directed to personal wellness such
as fitness, eyewear or even ergonomic
chairs.
“It can help set young, new employees
up to succeed, who are often in their first
real job,” says Sara Rempel, director,
compensation and talent. “The goal is a
professional appearance, not to impose a
particular style.
“We’re very inclusive in having diversity,
equity and inclusion as part of our thought
process so the guidelines are really broad
and not specific to gender in any way. We
leave room for people being individuals.”
While jeans can’t be expensed, staff can
wear them on Fridays if they make a
donation to one of the credit union’s select
charities. However, reflecting local pride is
free.
“During playoffs, we can wear our Jets
or Bombers jerseys on game days,” says
Rempel. “It’s a way to connect with the
community and a great talking point when
members come in.”
That community spirit is one all
Manitobans share.
– Diane Jermyn
