Employer of Choice

Human Resources

Staff Appreciation BBQ - the CAO flips burgers

Openness
This corporate value is evident in our senior management accessibility, employee access to strategic and operational plans and regular employee-management departmental meetings that keep everyone informed about City initiatives and progress.

How do the best companies figure out how to keep their employees satisfied?

They Ask!

We regularly ask for employee input and opinion and we act on suggestions.

We have an open door policy that goes all the way to the Chief Administrative Officer. Employee feedback is valued, encouraged, and treated seriously.

We gather feedback through:

1. Climate Surveys
Brock University was contracted to conduct an employee feedback system survey report. The Executive Summary states “The City of Kamloops has taken a progressive and critical step, which reflects the management practices of the 50 best companies to work for in Canada. Your commitment to the process of asking for, and acting on, employee feedback will allow your organization to celebrate successes as well as aspire to achieve higher levels of employee satisfaction, well-being, and organizational performance.”

2. Employee Involvement Surveys
In an effort to enhance communications at all levels, the City enlisted the assistance of Thompson Rivers University students in compiling the results of an employee involvement survey.

3. Employee Satisfaction Surveys
Several departments regularly survey their staff regarding employee satisfaction with very positive results.

Employees may meet their Director one-on-one and through regular staff meetings.

Formal Recognition Programs
Long Service Awards
Excellence Awards
Awards of Excellence
Awarded annually to individuals in recognition of demonstrated commitment to excellence by management at the senior and departmental levels.

Long Service Award

We have one of the best municipal retirement recognition programs. In addition to a departmental celebration and a corporate-wide collection, our retirees are honoured at their union banquet and at an annual corporate banquet with their friends and families where they receive a gift ($250 to $300 value), a gold lapel pin, and a cheque based on years of service.

Employee Recognition
In developing an informal recognition program, all employees were invited for their feedback on what it should look like. A joint union management Task Force of volunteers was formed to set out the criteria and appropriate rewards for:
Innovation
Excellence in Customer Service
Personal Development
Heroism
Healthy Workplace
Good Attendance

Coworkers and all levels of management are encouraged to nominate their peers for outstanding performance.

As a token of appreciation and to promote employees as City ambassadors, they are all given free City logo shirts.

Special Events
To demonstrate our appreciation to staff, several events are held throughout the year as follows:
Social mixer and dance;
Departmental appreciation events such as barbecues, dinners, etc.;
Each employee is allotted $5 towards a Christmas reception;
Christmas reception with the Mayor and Council (includes retirees) with entertainment provided by City staff;
Kids Christmas Party.

Employees are given many opportunities to share their thoughts and feelings. Management values this feedback and incorporates it into new initiatives, for example, the Recognition Program, which was identified in the Climate Survey as requiring a higher profile.

Logo Contact
Human Resources
105 Seymour Street
Kamloops, BC V2C 2C6
ph (250) 828-3439
fax (250) 372-1351
email hr@kamloops.ca

Note: We thank all applicants for their interest in positions at the City of Kamloops. We will contact those applicants who are selected for an interview as soon as possible.