Employee Resources
Health and Safety

Departmental Summary

In 1998, the Human Resource (HR) Committee was mandated by Chiefs and Council, mainly due to concerns regarding wage inequity.  In 2004/2005, Human Resources evolved into one of the divisions of the Employment & Training Department.

In December 2008, Chiefs & Council approved the separation of Human Resources from the Employment & Training Department.  This was due to a growing workforce and to fully dedicate a Department Head, Manager and staff to the human resource programs, functions and needs of Squamish Nation.

Chen Chen Stway Human Resources became a separate department in January 2009 and moved into its current office location at 336 West 4th Street in February 2009. In the Fall 2009, the department ended the long term relationship that Squamish Nation had with the HR Consulting Firm (Core Elements). Chen Chen Stway Human Resource Department is a fully functioning department with seven staff.

MISSION STATEMENT:

To promote fairness and equity in the workplace for all Squamish Nation employees by enhancing Uxwumixw cultural values and traditions through respect, equality and harmony for all.

PURPOSE

The Chen Chen Stway Human Resources Department is responsible for creating, developing and implementing a pay structure that is fair & equitable. Chen Chen Stway Human Resources Department also reviews, amends and creates new policy, based on changes in legislation. The department also: reviews, amends and revises the recruitment, selection & orientation program; research and review what other organizations are doing in regards to human resource programs and functions; and updates Squamish Nation’s Human Resource programs as needed. It is also our responsibility to ensure we are in compliance with current legislation and regulations, i.e. meeting occupational safety requirements, labour laws, etc.

DEPARTMENT UPDATE

The Chen Chen Stway Human Resources Department provides information and advises Chiefs & Council, Department Heads, Managers, Team Leaders and employees on a variety of employment related matters.

Chen Chen Stway Human Resources Department provides HR Services and programs, including staff recruitment and selection, employee benefits, occupational health and safety, salary administration, performance management, job appraisals, growth and development of staff, organizational change, training, job design, career development and new learning.

Chen Chen Stway staff are taking HR specific courses (i.e. Employment Law, Recruitment and Selection, Occupational Health and Safety, and Strategic HR Management) to further enhance our education, skills and knowledge in order to provide better service to staff.

Recruitment/Job Postings:

Chen Chen Stway Human Resources sent notices to membership in July 2010, advising that to reduce paper waste and save money, we would no longer be mailing out job postings.

Job postings can be found at:

• www.squamish.net – go to ‘community’ tab, then click on ‘job opportunities’
• Chen Chen Stway HR office job board (336 West 4th Street)
• Weekly community newsletter

Chen Chen Stway Human Resources is always looking for on call/auxiliary workers. Resumes can be dropped off at the HR office or emailed to hr@squamish.net

Due to retirement, resignations and leave of absences, etc., approximately:

• 60 permanent and term positions were filled between October 2010 and September 2011
• 30 permanent and term positions were filled between October 2011 and September 2012

 

Benefits

The Squamish Nation is continuously working on Health & Wellness initiatives to support employees and their families. Newsletters are sent to employees that include information regarding Healthy Living, Benefits, Wellness and updates about the Employee Assistance Program.

Employee Development

2011 / 2012 was the launch year of our new performance appraisal program.  The appraisal process focuses on strengths, areas of improvement and ways to enhance service delivery.

Health & Safety

The Occupational Health & Safety Program has been in existence since the summer of 2009.  Since that time, the Health and Safety Officer and the Nation’s Workplace Health and Safety Committee have worked diligently to raise the level of awareness for safe work practices throughout the organization.

The Squamish Nation continues to build on the momentum and success it achieved as the recipient of the 2010 and 2011 Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (BC/ Yukon Region) Achievement Recognition Awards for Organizations 51-500. The Nation was also the recipient of the 2011 National Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) BEST NEW ENTRY Award.

Employee and Community Participation in NAOSH Week:

This year the Squamish Nation Workplace Safety Committee undertook an ambitious program to build internal and community awareness to: THINK SAFETY At Work, At Home, At Play. To reinforce this message a special event was produced; the Squamish Nation Community Safety Circle. This unique event incorporated traditional and cultural elements that included drumming,singing and dancing along with a prayer/blessing ceremony for the Community’s dedication to safety lead by Squamish nation Shaker Minister Gene Harry.

The Community Safety Circle symbolizes a unified sense of purpose as representatives of the Squamish Nation community come together to raise awareness for all members to THINK SAFETY At Work, At Home, At Play.

A THINK SAFETY poster and video were produced. The THINK SAFETY video can be viewed on U-Tube.

SAFETY TRAINING

Squamish Nation is committed to safety training, and sessions are conducted throughout the year. Training programs included Boat Operators Certification, Fall Protection Certification, Spill Response Training, Electrical Safety, Personal Emergency Preparedness, Say No to Violence in the Workplace, Industrial First Aid Certification and Crosswalk Training for the Nation’s little ones.

Chen Chen Stway Human Resources Now & into the Future

One of Chen Chen Stway Human Resources’ primary goals for Squamish Nation is to be the number one employer of choice for Squamish Nation members and current employees.  We can accomplish this by providing the best service to employees and providing progressive and innovative Human Resource programs, and by consistently reviewing internal and external Human Resource programs, legislation, policy, and training & development.