Herb Isherwood Click here to see full sized version.

A firm that emphasizes teamwork not only creates a cooperative work environment, but as Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP proves, such a work ethic makes for an enriching and rewarding place to be employed.

An emphasis on internal communication creates more than a collegial environment at Bull Housser according to Ann Johnston, manager of human resources: “The term ‘collegial atmosphere’ doesn’t do it justice. We have found a way to develop a great community here. We have wonderful parties twice a year, one in the winter and one in the summer. We come together in a social atmosphere and the firm picks up the tab. The parties are held at a restaurant, the managing partner gives an inspirational speech, the music is good and everyone gets sent home in a cab or ride-shares. It’s a big ‘thank-you’ to employees from the firm.

“We also have lots of sports teams. There’s a basketball tournament, a co-ed hockey team, a co-ed softball team and a rowing team. In the summer there is a group that does the Grouse Grind [a strenuous hike close to the city] every week. All these sports are organized at the grassroots level. It’s not officially organized by human resources. Anyone who gets the idea to start something, simply posts it on the intranet and bingo bango, there’s a team.”

Another team-building initiative includes what Johnston calls a “get-to-know-your-neighbour” event. “Every month we pull five support staff names out of a hat and they get to go to lunch together on the company tab.”

The team approach works so well, Bull Housser has been recognized for two years in a row by an influential business magazine as one of the province’s best companies to work at.

“We are proud of that accomplishment,” says newly installed managing partner Herb Isherwood. “It has a lot to do with our managers. We are careful when we hire and train staff. They run the show. The emphasis is on treating staff well and that extends beyond giving them the right tools to work with.”

Isherwood notes that having a group of employees that work well together benefits the firm in many ways: “We know that we can rely on each other. People are better informed and more capable. Staff in turn, are more engaged in their work and more knowledgeable.”

Johnston says there are many other reasons why the firm is rated so highly by its employees. “We start with the basics like good compensation and benefits,” she says. “We have a pension plan, bonuses based on length of service and vacation time increases with length of employment. We also do frequent performance evaluations so that feedback to and from employees is timely.”

Johnston adds that the firm’s equipment, training and intranet all contribute to a satisfied workforce. “We make sure we give our staff the best tools, such as up-to-date computers, and ensure they get all the training they need. This starts right from the moment they join our firm.

“The first week is completely given to training and orientation. New staff is matched with a mentor who takes them to lunch and is available to answer any questions. There is lots of follow-up training too. We have technology training periods every week, called ‘hit and runs’, of about half an hour with groups of four people at a time. These sessions keep staff abreast of what’s happening in the firm also. In addition, there is a strong intranet that is updated at least daily, if not several times. If a new person joins, we put their picture on the intranet.”

Wherever possible, Bull Housser provides flexible work schedules to accommodate family commitments. “For example, I have a young child and I start later, at 9:30 a.m., and work later.”

This work time flexibility extends to job share options. “For women with young families, they can choose to split a job with one person working three days a week and the other working two days per week. And when they are ready to return full-time, we accommodate that.”

Another commitment to employee well-being is a health and wellness program. “We bring in speakers to talk to our employees on a number of topics such as nutrition, medication and fitness. These sessions are hugely popular and are well-attended. We also provide fitness subsidies for those belonging to health clubs.”

It’s an office culture that leads to long-term employees, one of the sure signs of happy staff. “We have very little turnover. There are a significant number of long-term employees. Our turnover last year was less than 10 per cent. And every year we honour our significant anniversaries.

“Last week we celebrated someone who has been with the firm more than 30 years. And there are a significant number of employees who have been here more than 25 years. People like it here.”

The community spirit at Bull Housser is summed up by Johnston: “We take care of each other; we help each other. We all work hard together.”