Automotive News Canada - October 2021 - 32

32
* OCTOBER 2021
Best Dealerships To Work For
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COVID-19 STRESS
The pandemic revealed the
importance of mental health
and wellness in the workplace
APRIL 16, 2021
Frank Stronach
Founder
Magna
MARCH 5, 2021
Tim Reuss
CEO
CADA
By DAVID KENNEDY
T ORONTO BUREAU CHIEF
FEBRUARY 26, 2021
Ray Tanguay
Former Chair & President
Toyota Motor
Manufacturing Canada
DECEMBER 25, 2020
Swamy Kotagiri
CEO
Magna
A STANDING OFFER FOR STAFF AT VOLVO
of Edmonton to see a sports psychologist
predates the pandemic, but it was not until
COVID-19 struck that dealer principal Michael
Norris saw a surge in interest from employees.
Since the dealership put the
program in place a little more
than two years ago, appointments
with the psychologist
have swelled by as much as 10
times, Norris said. The added
stress of the pandemic is the big
cause, he said.
" COVID is a deadly virus,
but it's also a much more mental
health issue for the vast
majority of people, " Norris said.
Most employees will not get
COVID-19 but are coping with
the loss of family or friends or
the changes the pandemic has
wrought, he said.
Along with covering staff visits
to the sports psychologist,
the Volvo dealership maintains
a chaplaincy program, giving
employees yet another outlet
NOVEMBER 20, 2020
Scott Bell
President
GM Canada
NOVEMBER 13, 2020
Kristin Dziczek
Sr. VP of Research
CAR
Norris:
Having
access to
a sports
psychologist
has helped
the team
at Volvo of
Edmonton
cope
with the
pandemic.
FILE PHOTO
for talking through problems they encounter
at work or home. Both programs are designed
to address stress and mental health issues that
management is not equipped to handle.
" It has changed the whole environment, "
Norris said, adding that the reemphasis on
mental health has helped get the team through
the pandemic thus far.
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This novel approach by Volvo of Edmonton
is one in a series of methods that Automotive
News Canada's 25 Best Dealerships To Work
For are taking to address employee health and
well-being.
Jaguar-Land Rover Winnipeg, for instance,
has partnered with a health care consulting
firm, giving employees the opportunity to consult
a health adviser to build a wellness plan.
The dealership, part of Winnipeg-based
Birchwood Automotive Group, covers the cost
of the initial consultation, with subsequent
steps coordinated with the employee benefits
program.
Having a diversified health care team -
which includes physiotherapists, nutritionists
and massage therapists, among other specialists
- all under one roof simplifies the process
for staff, said MaryAnn Kempe, chief human
resources officer at Birchwood, which, according
to its website, owns 22 dealerships. This
program " allows for a collaborative and safe
Romero:
MercedesBenz
Brampton
kept
shorter
hours
even as
pandemic
restrictions
eased.
PHOTO:
LINKEDIN
approach to make adjustments and help our
team members reach their wellness goals, "
Kempe said.
All but four of the 25 top dealerships offer
an employee assistance program to provide
counseling for marital problems, substance
abuse or other problems, according
to Automotive News Canada's 2021 Best
Dealerships survey. Eight of the 25, meanwhile,
host on-site personal development or
stress management classes or seminars.
And when it comes to physical health, a
slim majority have either an on-site gym or
offer to subsidize external gym memberships
for staff.
MANDATORY TIME OFF
Promoting a healthier work-life balance has
been another focus for dealers as the pandemic
disrupts the conventional workday.
COVID-19 has only added to the " regular "
stress of working in retail, said David Krause,
general manager at Volkswagen Waterloo in
Ontario. To ensure staff has time to recharge,
Krause said, managers have been encouraging
or even mandating time off. The dealership has
also made it clear that staff are not expected to
be available 24/7, either.
" The pandemic unfortunately highlighted
how fragile and precious life is, " Krause said.
" You need to make time to cherish and be present
for your family and friends, not chained to
your laptop or mobile phone. "
Norris has taken a similar approach at
Volvo of Edmonton, mandating holidays for
burnt-out workers and in some instances even
footing the bill for employees and their families
to take a long weekend off
to ski or relax in the nearby
Rockies.
At Mercedes-Benz Brampton
in Ontario, what had been
planned to be a temporary
change turned permanent to
help employees better balance
their work and homes lives.
" The automotive industry
has always had longer, later
hours, " said Nicole Romero, the
dealership's human resources
manager. " This pandemic originally
forced us to change our
hours. But as restrictions eased
and hours were allowed to open
up again, we found ourselves
keeping the new hours. "
Many of the dealership's
employees have worked in automotive
for years without being able to obtain
the sort of work-life balance the new hours
offer, Romero said.
The more thoughtful approach to health and
well-being helps employees and also bolsters
retention.
" Our team's been together for a long time, "
Norris said. He cites the Volvo dealership's
community feel and wellness programs as two
reasons. - ANC
PHOTO:
ISTOCK.COM
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Automotive News Canada - October 2021

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