Hazelview Investments prioritizes employee wellness

Right from the start, Jasmin Pirani could see how Hazelview Investments puts a premium on the well-being of its people.

“I was expecting my first child early into my employment and as a first-time mom and a newer employee, I was embraced wholeheartedly,” says Pirani, partner, marketing and social impact. “Everything, from the day-to-day of the business to my integration back into the organization after parental leave, was handled with so much care and attention.

“I think it is a real testament to how deeply entrenched people are in the culture that even as a new employee, you’re embraced and supported through a significant life change.”

Pirani’s experience is representative of the real estate investment firm’s rounded approach to employee wellness.

“All employees have different realities and different personal situations and needs. And so we try to look at our wellness offerings, programs and benefits in the most holistic way possible,” says Vanessa Mian, managing partner, chief human resources and strategy officer.

This means focusing on mental, physical, financial and career wellness, with programs including an employee and family assistance program, flexible spending accounts, virtual health services, financial wellness webinars, discount purchase programs, social events, community volunteer days and on-site flu clinics. Hazelview also offers an annual education allowance of up to $1,500, two paid education days and reimbursement for professional membership dues. The firm has half-day Fridays in the summer along with additional paid time off during the holidays in December.

Pirani especially appreciates flexible wellness days, which are in place of sick days. These can be used as a sick day or for personal commitments, such as appointments or errands. “I take a true wellness day once a quarter, where I will go for a massage or to a yoga class,” she says. “Having those wellness days is an incredible tool that has a ton of value.

“The organization firmly believes that if they take good care of us, we will take care of the business. I value that type of thinking and I think we have done a great a job at looking at all of the different pillars that make up a person’s well-being and have programs dedicated to those.”

Mian, too, takes advantage of the benefits she administers. “For me, being able to go to the gym on site helps me be my best self at work and for my colleagues. For others, they may prioritize our flex start and end times to support with long commutes or personal matters, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach to wellness,” she says. “To me, our flexible and holistic approach to wellness is helping people stay happy and engaged at work, which is good for them and good for the business.”

Mian says the emphasis on employee wellness contributes to a healthy workplace. “We are very proud of our culture,” she says. “I am particularly proud of the retention on our team. We have employees with long tenures of 10, 15, even 20 years, which is more unusual nowadays.”

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.