At Manitoba Blue Cross, the ‘heartbeat’ is its people

In 2009, Amanda Slater joined Winnipeg-based Manitoba Blue Cross as a claims adjuster right out of university. The organization was the provider for her family’s health benefits, so she knew it had a good reputation. Before she applied for the position, she happened to drive past the head office building at night. “It was all lit up and looked so impressive,” she says. “I thought, that would be a cool place to work!”

Back then, Slater was simply hoping to find an employer that would keep her busy and help her get by financially. “Little did I know that this ‘in-between’ job would lead to a long, fulfilling career and a team that feels just like family,” she says.

Over the years, Slater has benefited from taking industry-related courses and educational programs covered in part or fully by the organization’s tuition reimbursement program. That led to promotions, including her most recent in 2022, to a business analyst in the project management office. “This training proved invaluable,” she says.

Manitoba Blue Cross offers unlimited LinkedIn learning and any job-related courses, free of charge. All employees, from new hires to senior leaders, also benefit from internal mentorship. “We invest in our people because they’re the heartbeat of our organization, and we want to retain them,” says president and CEO Benjamin Graham.

Graham is most proud of the organization’s culture of caring and its long history of community service. For its 50th anniversary in 2024, Manitoba Blue Cross partnered with the non-profit Sleep in Heavenly Peace to make 50 beds for children in need. The capacity for volunteers was 70 employees, but three times that number raised their hands to help.

“It was fantastic,” says Graham, who helped cut, sand and stain wood for the bed frames. “We’re part of this province’s fabric, so it’s important to us that we give back. And it’s a way for our people to connect outside of work for a worthy cause.”

Another point of pride is the organization’s employee assistance program (EAP). “We think it’s the best in the province, if not the country,” says Graham. For various reasons, Slater has turned to the EAP for counselling, including for support when her family’s 14-year-old dog, Abbey, passed away just two weeks after her second child was born.

“I’ve worked here almost my entire career, and our EAP has seen me through countless personal milestones,” says Slater. “I’ve received compassionate mental health care and expert guidance during some of life’s most vulnerable moments. I genuinely don’t know if I would be where I am today without having had that support.”

A holistic approach to well-being is a priority, illustrated not just by a robust benefits plan and EAP, but also through an on-site lounge and a free, fully equipped fitness centre. “We’re committed to enhancing our employees’ wellness,” says Graham.

Employees are also encouraged to share their personal talents and build a sense of community at work. Recently, a call for crafters led to plans for a monthly crafting session, while Slater volunteered to host a paint-at-lunch session. “These kinds of activities where people share their passions foster a connected environment at work, which means so much to me,” she says.

Slater enjoys collaborating with motivated, like-minded people who she finds bring positive energy and laughter into each workday. “No matter how the day begins, I have colleagues who will lift my spirits and remind me that any challenge is manageable with the right support,” she says. “The warmth and camaraderie here make this a truly special place to work.”

This article appeared in the magazine announcing the winners of this year's Manitoba's Top Employers competition, published March 11, 2025 in the Winnipeg Free Press. This article was prepared with the financial support of the employer, who did not write or review the content.