3 Kennecott--encourages cross training.

• Author: Louiseize, Kelly
• Position: 5 Great Places To Work - Human resource management - Company overview

Flexibility and cross training have retained the full-time and contractual workers at Kennecott Canada Exploration Inc. (KCEI) laboratories in Thunder Bay.

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The small diamond research assay lab has been in existence for 14 years. Originally, the thought was to open it for six months, however, due to heightened exploration activity around the globe the lab has seen processes within its operations expand adding more full-time and contract employees to their 27-person payroll.

The lab analyses small low-valued diamonds and what is called indicator minerals for information.

Within the laboratory security is tight and safety is paramount, however, there are a few areas where flexibility can be given. Task times is one of them.

Most job tasks have flexible starting and finishing times. "If employees know they are going to need a couple hours off they can certainly work around that," Kennecott lab's acting manager Juanita Bellinger says.

"I know that is something that most employees really appreciate.'

University students who work around their school hours welcome this kind of flexibility. If the lab is experiencing a multitude of projects, these same students are hired over the summer months to ensure analyzing does not fall behind.

Equally, employees appreciate the cross-training program that began in 2000.

Throughout the year, some areas of the lab are busier than others and so the cross-training program teaches employees, who would otherwise be laid off, other job functions. Not only has it provided efficiencies within the lab, but also it gave stimulus to workers.

"It is kind of nice not to be doing the same thing all the time," Bellinger says.

Doing the same job all the time could lead to deterioration of one's health and as a result safety. It is the reason why the company has invited an ergonomist to evaluate workstations. He or she can suggest an optimum workstation to reduce on-the job injuries.

"They also look at the equipment to determine if they can make adjustments," Bellinger says.

Concerns such as these are first brought up to the lab's health and safety committee where an appropriate resolution is encouraged.

If they cannot find a solution the issue is parlayed over to management. Consultants are then brought in to help in...