Working for a financial institution as large as TD Canada Trust may seem daunting, like being a tiny fish in a gigantic sea. But, in fact, the company is working to encourage an inclusive environment for employees across all departments. Whether starting from an entry-level position or joining TD at a higher level, the bank is an active sponsor of multiple community organizations and emphasizes that corporate life is not only about business, it's about being your whole self.

A lawyer by trade, Paul Jonathan Saguil had already established a working relationship with TD during his undergraduate studies before returning to its litigation department. It wasn't part of my plan to come back when I left, although I had a very good experience, he explains. A combination of my previous experience with the company and the background that I got with the products and services, plus just understanding the company culture at the time, really helped me in my current role. It was an easy transition to come back. I said it in my cover letter; it really was like coming back to family.

Giving back

Starting as a bank teller, Saguil says that one of the largest draws in returning to TD was its involvement with Pride Toronto, which he became involved with around the same time as re-joining the bank. It just magically worked out. ÔÇÿSynergy' sometimes seems overused, but the people I've met through the LGBTA working committee, for example, are some of the same types of people who I would've met in other capacities. I do a lot of that elsewhere, and it makes it easier because I have relationships with them in-house, he says.

TD also encouraged employee Wayne Mitchell to pursue interests outside of work. A financial services representative, Mitchell joined the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, which he says gave him the opportunity to work towards personal goals and meet new people.

In 2010, the financial institution donated $6.9 million to programs that support diversity in communities across Canada. Some of these include Toronto's TD Irie Music Festival, Children's Literacy and Education, Korean Heritage Day Festival in Vancouver, and Black History Month. And that commitment to celebrate diversity is not only reserved for beyond the office.

My most impactful experiences are the ones where I can see the tangible differences I've made in the lives of my customers, says Mitchell. I'm grateful to establish new relationships with colleagues and to work in an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated.

He adds that working with groups like TD's LGBTA committee has helped him keep an important balance between his personal life and work.

Promoting a positive work culture

TD is also working to promote a positive working environment through managerial guidance and a strategic approach to talent acquisition. TD has a very robust recruitment process throughout the organization, says Saguil. A lot of our senior executives and senior management started in retail, so in terms of culture it's really something that's important to us from the get go, and I think if you get through the recruitment process, it's because you have something that we recognize would fit into our culture.

Adam Webster, national coordinator with employee volunteering and giving at TD, gained valuable and transferable skills by starting at a retail branch. He explains that through TD giving him personal and professional opportunities for development, he was able to establish a terrific foundation for a career in financial services.  

This culture of working from the bottom up is a key strategy in ensuring that management both understands and supports employees under their supervision. Mitchell explains that TD promotes a  variety of regular staff coaching and guidance sessions and is quick to recognize and reward strong performances. Saguil says that a key performance indicator for managers is how they contribute to the employee experience, and the extent to which they make the group they manage a strong team and their area an inclusive, welcoming one.

Another advocate of managers who excel in both business and cultural competency, Webster says that our leaders certainly model the behaviour our bank has become famous for. He adds that his working environment has given him the support to be his whole self at work.

 There are a bunch of my friends in private practice who have asked me whether I miss it, says Saguil. And I can say I had a really good time where I worked, but I wouldn't trade TD for anything.

With the average Canadian now spending 45 hours or more at work each week, it is encouraging to know that some businesses are promoting employee interests and engagement beyond the office. And it's clear that their efforts have not gone unnoticed by satisfied employees.