Mutual care is the secret to staff satisfaction at STF

When Bobbi Taillefer joined the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation four years ago, the executive director made time to meet with every employee for 15 minutes and get a better understanding of what energizes them as people.

What struck her most was how – though the team came from a diverse range of backgrounds and skill sets – they all shared the same passion for supporting the province’s teachers.

“They all believed in public education, and they all loved working here,” says Taillefer. “I wanted to make sure they continued to grow by learning what motivated them in terms of their dedication.”

It’s no surprise then that when Sherry Gao joined the team as a pension technician in 2023, Taillefer took the time to meet with her one-on-one.

“That was pretty amazing – not many organizations make the time to pay close attention to new employees,” says the junior investment analyst. “It gave me a little taste of the culture within our entire organization.”

Passionate about the security that financial management provides, Gao is always happy to walk members through the details of their pensions – especially as finances can be difficult to discuss.

“Money is always a very sensitive topic,” says Gao. “I realize every single decision regarding their pension is very big, and those decisions have a long-term impact. This is about a secure future for all of our teachers.”

Having a team of experts focused on members’ pensions is peace of mind for the teachers and allows them – and federation staff – to focus on what they do best.

“Our futures are taken care of, so I can put my time and my efforts into what I’m doing now,” says Gao. “I don’t have to worry about 20 or 30 years down the line, which is amazing.”

Returning the dedication to teachers back to staff through benefits like tuition subsidies, flexible schedules, 20 paid sick days, an admirable pension plan, and more, is how the federation operates.

“Having those sick days actually makes us even more productive,” says Gao. “We know if we’re sick, we can take care of ourselves because health is a top priority.”

To be recognized as a top employer in Saskatchewan is an honour, says Samantha Becotte, president of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation.

“It speaks to the strengths of federation staff, who work every day to make this such a desirable place for people from all walks of life to spend their careers,” Becotte says.

“Federation staff provide support to Saskatchewan teachers; conversely it is important for our members to know that staff are taken care of. While their skills are varied, they all share the same mission of supporting members and advocating for excellence in public education.”

For Taillefer, taking care of staff – whether through the workplace benefits or a welcoming culture – so that they are equipped to take care of the federation’s members is necessary for the federation to succeed.

“Our job is to nurture each other so we can continue to nurture our members,” she says.

“You have these incredibly innovative, creative, competent, caring staff at all levels, and they work like a symphony. They’re all doing their part and at the end what you get is beautiful music.”

This article appeared in the magazine announcing this year's Saskatchewan's Top Employers winners, published February 4, 2025 in the Regina Leader-Post and Saskatoon Star Phoenix. This article was prepared with the financial support of the employer, which reviewed but did not write its contents.