Synergy Credit Union selected as one of Sask’s top 100 employers

By Joan Janzen
joanjanzen@yahoo.com

Recently Synergy Credit Union was named one of Saskatchewan’s top 100 employers. Established in 1943, Synergy now has well over 100 full-time employees in Canada, and Kindersley is one of their major Canadian hiring locations. Their longest-serving employee served for 36 years.

This is not the first time Synergy has received recognition; in fact, this is the fourth consecutive year in which it has been named a Sask. Top Employer. It is quite an achievement, proving that Synergy received this recognition because of the numerous ways in which they prefer their employees.

Besides providing a number of financial benefits, such as discounted home and auto insurance, low-interest home loans and discounted auto lease rates, Synergy provides assistance with retirement planning and a defined contribution pension plan.

Glenn Stan, CEO, explained a few of the reasons why Synergy received this honour. “Synergy was recognized for being a great employer by measuring the physical workplace, atmosphere/social support, health/financial/family benefits, vacation and time off, culture and communications, performance management, training and development, and community involvement and inclusion. A business score is then compared to other businesses across Canada.”

To encourage community involvement, employees are offered paid time off to volunteer on company time, Stang explained.

“Synergy encourages teammates to volunteer in under-served areas of our communities. Many of these opportunities happen during working hours, which is why we pay teammates to volunteer.” These spots are often difficult to fill because people are working, but barriers have been removed so that Synergy employees can fill this void.

“We encourage our teammates to volunteer a week’s working hours a year or 37.5 hours per year. That is our target. Many teammates simply volunteer for organizations that they have a passion for or have a personal interest in. Several teammates coach hockey or sit on community hockey boards. Some teammates sit on boards for handicap workplaces and shelters, or men’s or women’s shelters, while others volunteer their time at schools for breakfast services, soup kitchens, meals on wheels, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, or sing and dance with seniors once a week at a lodge,” Stang continued to explain.

Even though the pandemic has reduced volunteering opportunities, the Synergy team has managed to accumulate 3,792 volunteer hours, which translates into 19 hours per teammate. The number of hours was almost doubled in 2019, with 7,873 volunteer hours accumulated, equaling 39 hours per teammate.

Stang explained that because Synergy offers this opportunity, teammates understand the importance volunteerism plays in our communities’ social and economic success.

Another consideration for receiving recognition was the offer of a paid day off every two weeks for employees. Stang explained this was something new and recognized as a possible best practice during the pandemic.

“We made this happen early in the pandemic when health official directions seemed to change daily, and many of our teammates were experiencing challenges at home, like a spouse losing their job, schools and daycare being closed, loss of eldercare and illness. The day every two weeks allowed our teammates time to rejuvenate, adjust and plan so they could continue to be their best at work during these trying times.”

Synergy also makes donations to many community organizations throughout the year. Contributions of $2500 or more were distributed to the following groups in 2020: Kindersley & District Health and Wellness Foundation, food banks, three local schools and school scholarships.

“In addition, all members participated in the think local, shop local campaign wherein Synergy gave more than 26,000 members $20.21 to spend or donate locally before Christmas,” Stang added.

As a result of receiving this special recognition, Synergy is able to use a nationally recognized Top Employer logo in all their advertising and social media.

“My personal belief is this recognition improves our ability to recruit and retain better talent so we can serve our members and communities better,” Stang said.

Photo by Kate Winquist