Employee Experience is the Foundation of a Strong Company Culture

In the dynamic landscape of today's workplaces, the concept of company culture has evolved beyond just a buzzword. It is now recognized as a critical component that directly influences an organization's success. At the heart of Waste Connections’ thriving company culture lies the employee experience and their journey that encompasses every interaction with the company, from recruitment to retirement.

Recruitment and Onboarding: The First Impression Matters

The employee experience begins the moment a potential candidate interacts with Waste Connections. Having a brand that speaks directly to candidates can be challenging. 

Putting our authentic company culture on display on our career website, printed materials, and social media is a potential employee's first connection to our company. Successful recruitment is not just about finding the right skills; it's about aligning values and expectations. A positive recruitment experience sets the tone for a lasting relationship, creating a sense of belonging from the very beginning. While many companies are moving to automated recruiting processes at Waste Connections, relationships are at the core of our culture, and that starts with our recruiting team and process.

Onboarding further shapes the employee experience. A successful onboarding process introduces employees to their roles and immerses them in our company's culture, values, and mission. Feeling integrated and valued from day one contributes significantly to job satisfaction. In our decentralized structure, each site tailors their employee onboarding to their unique environment using the “First 5” principles. Five key moments matter early on for a positive employee experience: the first hour, the first day, the first week, the first paycheck, and the first month. Each of these moments gives a leader an opportunity to intentionally create a positive new employee experience at Waste Connections.

Cultivating a Sense of Belonging and Inclusion

Employees thrive in an environment where they can bring their whole selves to work and feel a sense of belonging. Employees need to feel that their contributions are not only recognized but also celebrated. Our servant leaders work tirelessly to foster a sense of belonging and build a positive environment where employees feel connected to their coworkers, Waste Connections' mission and values, and the communities we are honored to serve.

"When our team members feel seen and appreciated, they are more likely to engage actively in their work and contribute to a positive company culture. Using an internal social networking platform helps our individual sites connect to the larger company and acknowledge our people daily in a collective setting."

Inclusive practices, such as team celebrations, employee resource groups, community involvement, and social interaction, contribute to a workplace where everyone can feel connected, heard, and valued. When our team members feel seen and appreciated, they are more likely to engage actively in their work and contribute to a positive company culture. Using an internal social networking platform helps our individual sites connect to the larger company and acknowledge our people daily in a collective setting.

Continuous Learning and Development Opportunities

Investing in employees' professional growth is a powerful way to enhance their experience within our organization. Waste Connections prioritizes continuous learning and development at all levels. Our servant leadership culture is rooted in continuous growth through learning, feedback, and demonstrating a commitment to our team’s personal and professional success.

We offer leadership training programs, mentorship opportunities, and skill development to not only improve individual accomplishment but also contribute to an engaged, safety-driven, productive work environment.

Equally important is the feedback loop. Constructive feedback, both formal and informal, helps employees and leaders understand their strengths and areas for improvement. Employees who feel heard and valued are more likely to embrace our core values and be committed to their roles.

Recognition and Rewards

Acknowledging and rewarding employee achievements is a fundamental aspect of our employee experience. Celebrating individual and team accomplishments reinforces our safety and customer-service-driven values and motivates employees to continue striving for excellence.

Recognition and celebrations boost morale and contribute to a productive work environment. When our team members see their focused efforts recognized and rewarded, they are more likely to feel invested in the organization's success. 

Celebrating milestones, birthdays, holidays, and retirements builds stronger working relationships.

Future

At Waste Connections, the employee experience, grounded in servant leadership, is the fabric of our strong company culture and what contributes to our continued success. Attention to every interaction shapes the collective experience of employees within our organization. There is always room to improve, and we are launching a revitalized employee engagement survey to better capture employee sentiment, ideas, and needs. 

We will continue to prioritize and enhance the employee experience to create a positive, inclusive, and thriving culture that not only attracts top talent but also retains and nurtures it for long-term success.