Employees at Weston Consulting Group attend the organization’s monthly staff birthday and work anniversary celebration.SUPPLIED
Though Kyla Aly-Rigby had experience working in human resources with a diverse range of industries when she joined Weston Consulting Group, planning and urban design was a new field for her.
So was the workplace style. “The way they embraced my feedback and my ideas and initiatives was very special,” says Aly-Rigby, director of people and culture. “We also have an annual staff survey, where employees can provide their feedback anonymously. The level of transparency from leadership and the openness and willingness to hear from everyone on the team — I’ve never had that before.”
Weston, which has its headquarters in Vaughan, Ont., with a Toronto office, also has a year-round anonymous suggestion box. “We pull some great ideas from those unfiltered comments, and while sometimes it may be challenging to hear how people feel, it is constructive for us as well,” Aly-Rigby says. “It’s an open culture, which I don’t think you see everywhere.”
This culture extends to support for all employees. While Sarah Burjaw, an intermediate planner, was interested in applying to present at a Canadian Institute of Planners conference, she did not feel confident enough to do so. “One of the associates looped me into submitting a proposal for affordable housing and we were selected, which was amazing. We also prepared a brochure that the business development department helped us with. So, it was very collaborative,” Burjaw says.
“As an intermediate, you’re still early in your career, and you can lack confidence. So, it means a lot for the associates to help you and push you out of your comfort zone, because otherwise you don’t grow. I would have never had that amazing opportunity if I wasn’t given a healthy push.”
Weston Consulting also provides opportunities for continuous learning through programs with the Urban Land Institute or opportunities employees find on their own. The firm also offers funding for employees pursuing their registered professional planner (RPP) certification, as well as an in-house mentor.
People at Weston also have a lot of social opportunities, such as the Weston Winter Olympics fantasy league; a monthly diversity, equity and inclusion calendar; a green committee that participates in activities like planting trees; and a giving back committee that raises funds for charitable organizations.
Burjaw is on the fun committee, which plans events throughout the year, such as a holiday party and summer barbecue, as well as outings such as a cooking class, painting and mini golf.
“It’s easy to stay within your department and socialize with just those people. But at those events, it’s great to socialize with people I don’t regularly interact with,” Burjaw says. “It’s nice to get to know people outside of work, because then you have conversations and inside jokes and office banter that makes it more fun.
“It’s important to like your work but also to like the people. It’s great to come in and be excited to see your co-workers. That gets me more motivated.”
In addition to shared social time, Weston also chooses an annual company-wide thematic goal. “It’s something that we’ll work towards, to keep people motivated and keep the momentum going,” Aly-Rigby says. “Then every month, in support of that thematic goal, we have a monthly focus. Every month, we’ll unveil that supporting theme and we have staff contribute on how they impact that topic every month. It’s something that we can all work towards together.”
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