Feature
OMNI’s culture and environment attract long-time staff members
Friday August 29, 2008
The relationships team members form with residents and staff, coupled with the company’s many educational opportunities and internal hiring practices, make OMNI Health Care a choice employer for a long-time career.

Many people who have chosen careers at one of OMNI Health Care’s 17 long-term care homes have stayed with the company for many years. These individuals cite several reasons for their long careers with the organization, but the company’s people and culture are the driving forces resulting in OMNI’s high retention rate.

Unlike other health-care settings, long-term care homes offer staff members careers where they provide care to many of the same people for a long period of time.

This environment creates strong personal bonds which develop between residents and caregivers, resulting in long-term care homes having a family atmosphere.

Long-time team members say this environment is conducive to staff retention because it offers a culture of personal familiarity and respect.

Virginia Witteveen, a personal support worker (PSW) at Riverview Manor in Peterborough, has been with the company for 19 years. She explains why she has stayed at the home for most of her working career.

“It’s getting to know the residents — you don’t want to leave them,” she says. “And the staff here is amazing. . . . I’ve made my adult friends here, so I get to work with my friends, so that’s one of the best parts.”

Caregivers also say educational opportunities and the company’s culture of internal promotion are other benefits that keep people wanting a long career with OMNI.

Many of OMNI’s long-time staff members have participated in the educational programs offered by the company to advance their careers.

As a result, OMNI team members who have started as front-line staff have worked their way up to managerial positions in homes, as well as to positions within the company’s corporate office.

By encouraging team members to maximize their potential OMNI is not only walking the walk when it comes to the company’s belief in its people, it’s also fostering an environment where people choose to work for many years.

To learn more about a career at OMNI, please contact the head office at 705-748-6631.