GSK is building a thriving culture for positive impact

Taryn Paehr says that even in her earliest days as a student intern with GlaxoSmithKline Inc. (GSK), she realized the biopharmaceutical company offered the sort of workplace where she could grow and develop a long-term career.

Some friends had internships at other companies where they did little more than filing, Paehr says. GSK, however, ensured she gained valuable work experience in different roles and locations as she completed her combined graduate degree in biotechnology and business.

“I was blown away by how welcoming and friendly everybody was,” she says. “It was clear GSK is invested in providing learning for individuals and across all its teams.”

Her insight was spot on. After becoming a full-time employee in early 2020, Paehr was promoted three times in four years. As marketing manager, oncology, she leads a team focused on gynecologic cancers.

GSK is part of a global health care company committed to making a positive impact on the health of people around the world. Its ambition, “Ahead Together”, embodies its purpose of uniting science, technology and top talent to prevent disease, as well as treat it.

“We believe in giving our employees the support and resources they need to excel,” says Sridhar Venkatesh, president and general manager, GSK Canada. “Our commitment to enabling talented people to thrive is one of the things that sets us apart.”

The resources include a variety of online and in-person learning opportunities. Keep Growing Campus, for example, is a platform that serves as a hub for knowledge-sharing and allows all employees to continuously learn and grow in their careers.

What’s more, GSK offers workshops and seminars designed to develop management and leadership. The Coaching Essentials digital workshop, for one, groups leaders in a cohort to collaboratively practise the coaching techniques they’ve learned.

In keeping with its diversity, equity and inclusion strategy, the company is also committed to ensuring all employees feel welcome, heard and valued.

“When people feel included, they bring their authentic selves to work and contribute their best ideas and insights,” Venkatesh says. “This inclusive culture fosters collaboration and teamwork, allowing us to deliver the best outcomes for our patients.”

In Canada, GSK has employee resource groups (ERGs) that focus on four key areas: disability, gender, racial minorities and LGBTQ+. In addition to concentrating on advocacy, engagement and personal development, the employee-led ERGs organize events that are open to everyone.

Paehr is a member of the Women’s Leadership Initiative, which among its activities offers a mentorship program. She says she was attracted by the program and is now both a mentee and mentor advising others.

In 2023, she and a colleague launched Project Climate Canada to align locally with the global goal for environmental sustainability. Paehr says the task force has attracted people from all departments who are passionate about having a positive impact on the environment and their communities.

She adds that the employee-driven initiative has the full support of the company’s leadership. “They’re 100 per cent for it,” Paehr says. “When we held a tree-planting event, the leadership team attended and dug right in.”

Venkatesh says it’s clear everyone involved understands the role a healthy planet can have on GSK’s ability to deliver on its goals.

“I believe our purpose gives a sense of meaning and fulfilment to our employees,” he says. “With a purpose-driven mindset like ours, there's nothing stopping us from making a real impact and changing lives for the better.”

This article appeared in the magazine announcing this year's Greater Toronto’s Top Employers winners, published December 3, 2024 in The Globe and Mail. This article was prepared with the financial support of the employer, which reviewed but did not write its contents.