By Melissa Baluk on April 18, 2023
For the 12th consecutive year, UBC is recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers in 2023.
This special award recognizes Canadian employers that lead the nation in creating a culture of environmental awareness, developing exceptional sustainability initiatives, and are attracting employees because of their environmental leadership.
At UBC, sustainability is embedded in teaching, learning and research and is integrated through our operations and infrastructure. We are committed to leadership in Climate Action, and our sustainability efforts are proudly delivered by students, faculty and staff — find ways you can get involved.
Three reasons why UBC is selected as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers this year:
- UBC is undertaking a $23 million dollar renewable development to transform the area of an entire city block at UBC into a smart energy district that will include solar charging for EVs and the province’s first-ever hydrogen refuelling station — this unique initiative is designed at a city-scale to be a ‘living lab’ studying the critical links between energy, transportation and urban design. Learn more about the renewable energy hub, and see photos.
- Established over 20 years ago, the formal employee-led Sustainability Coordinator Program is comprised of over 100 members working to implement sustainable practices across the university’s many departments.
- UBC offers an impressive range of highly-focused sustainability initiatives across campus that aim to foster a culture of sustainability among staff, students and the community — including Sustainability Tours, the Green Labs Program that promotes sustainable behaviours, and the 24-hectare on-campus certified organic farm with over 200 varieties of crops.
In addition to being recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers this year, UBC is also recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers, one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers.
Learn more about how we’re making UBC an inspiring place to work through Focus on People 2025.
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By Melissa Baluk on March 7, 2023
UBC is recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers in 2023. This designation recognizes employers across Canada with exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs.
Three reasons why UBC is selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers this year:
- UBC hosts IBPOC (Indigenous, Black and/or People of Colour) Connections to provide a space for self-identifying staff to have candid conversations, collaborate, and coordinate when appropriate.
- UBC organizes a Through the Lens series of interactive workshops designed to enhance staff, faculty and community members’ understanding of diversity, while offering practical ideas for creating a more equitable and inclusive campus.
- UBC recently launched a Centre for Workplace Accessibility, which aims to remove barriers, expedite accommodations and minimize the medicalization of disability by identifying resources, supports or workplace adjustments. The university also offers a centralized Workplace Accommodation Fund to cover the cost of all accommodations, which improves confidentiality for faculty with disabilities and relieves departments of financial responsibility for accommodations.
Read more about Canada’s Best Diversity Employers awards at https://www.canadastop100.com/diversity/
Looking for resources or support to help you contribute to making UBC a respectful and inclusive place to work? The Equity & Inclusion Office offers resources and support to help us create a community in which human rights are respected, and equity and inclusion are embedded in all areas of life at UBC.
Learn more about how we’re making UBC an inspiring place to work through Focus on People 2025.
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By Melissa Baluk on February 23, 2023
Do you have a colleague who inspires you to be your best, or know a staff member who made innovative contributions to shape the future of teaching, research, or work at UBC?
To recognize and celebrate those who demonstrate outstanding achievement and excellence within the UBC community, we invite all students, faculty and staff to nominate staff for the 2023 President’s Service Award for Excellence and the President’s Staff Awards.
This year, a new category, the President’s Staff Awards for Collaborative Excellence, has been introduced to recognize collaborative achievements. This category is open for nominations of groups of two or more staff, whereas the other categories are open for nominations of individuals.
Detailed award criteria is available in the nomination package on the UBC Focus on People website. The nomination deadline is 4 pm, Friday, April 7.
Read past recipient profiles and their contributions to making UBC a great place to work, learn, and research.
Questions? Contact workplace.recognition@ubc.ca.
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By Melissa Baluk on February 14, 2023
UBC is recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers in 2023.
This designation recognizes the British Columbian employers that lead as exceptional places to work – and who offer employees the most progressive and forward-thinking programs.
Three reasons why UBC is one of BC’s Top Employers this year:
- UBC organizes an annual Thrive campaign to encourage mental wellbeing through dialogue, awareness, healthy choices, social support and understanding of mental health challenges — and offers generous coverage for mental health practitioners as part of its benefits plan (up to $3,000 annually).
- UBC supports employees through various stages of life, from maternity leave top-up payments for mothers-to-be and flexible work options to help balance personal and family commitments to phased-in retirement work options for those in the later stages of their career.
- UBC helps employees plan for the future with retirement planning assistance services and contributions to a defined contribution pension plan.
UBC offers a variety of opportunities for professional development as well as creating connections with colleagues, such as through the UBC Hot Lunch initiative (monthly lunches with a senior leader who shares their personal and professional experience).
Read more about BC’s Top Employers awards at https://www.canadastop100.com/bc
See also:
- Looking to join UBC? View our careers and job postings.
- Visit Focus on People 2025 to learn how we’re making UBC a first-choice place to learn and work.
- Visit UBC Today for the latest news, events, and useful dates from across UBC, curated for faculty and staff by Internal Communications.
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By Melissa Baluk on January 24, 2023
UBC is recognized today as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People in 2023.
This award recognizes employers that offer the nation’s best workplaces and programs for young people starting their careers.
As we strive to make UBC a great place to learn and work for all, many programs and services are designed to welcome young employees and those who are new to the workplace, and help them grow in their careers. These programs include university-wide orientation and in-house apprenticeship programs, as well as coaching and career navigation services, workplace learning opportunities, tuition waivers and professional development funding.
As part of the university community, faculty and staff are invited to mental health training and workshops and encouraged to foster workplace wellbeing and take part in wellbeing initiatives. In addition, faculty and staff have access to a range of physical health options, including athletics and recreation facilities, which complement UBC’s many attractions at our Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
Three reasons why UBC is named one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People this year:
- UBC’s Postdoctoral Fellows Office is a resource centre that provides support, advocacy, and professional development for postdocs — the Office’s flagship initiative, the Foundations of Career Planning program, aids participants in transitioning to the next stage of their careers through the creation of a development plan, support in assembling a professional portfolio, and help with interviewing and negotiation.
- The office also manages a Postdoctoral Fellows Teaching Internship, a teaching development program to provide post-docs with an opportunity to develop and deliver guest lectures with a faculty mentor — the program includes a teaching-intensive workshop and a one-term mentorship program.
- UBC manages a Red Seal culinary apprenticeship program, enabling chefs to earn their certification while immersed in a full range of culinary experiences at the university.
This marks the 11th consecutive year UBC is awarded this honour. Read more about Canada’s Top 100 Employers awards at http://www.canadastop100.com/young_people/
See also:
- Looking to join UBC? View our careers and job postings.
- Visit UBC Today for the latest news, events, and useful dates from across UBC, curated for faculty and staff by UBC Internal Communications.
- Visit Focus on People 2025 to learn how we’re striving to make UBC a first-choice place to learn and work.
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