AB HR Manager – Audrey Brooksher
Member of the WJS Canada HR Team
Please welcome Audrey Brooksher who has joined our HR team as the Human Resource Manager for Alberta. Audrey is working out of our Edmonton regional office and brings 12+ years of HR experience and skill to WJS.
Audrey’s current responsibilities include assisting managers and employees with labour/employee relations issues (conflict resolution), performance management (coaching and advising supervisors/management) as well as supporting WJS with workplace investigations. Employee/Employer time loss/injury reports will now also be managed by Audrey. Audrey will assist with filing reports of injury/time loss to WCB as well as supporting managers/employees with modified/graduated plans for return to work.
We look forward to supporting Audrey in her new role with WJS as well as benefiting from Audrey’s contributions to our many teams.
We’ve asked Audrey to participate in a short Q&A to help you get to know her. Here is what Audrey had to say…
Q: What’s your new role at WJS?
My role with WJS is the Alberta Human Resources Manager. I will be the first point of contact for anything related to HR, excluding recruitment, within the province. In Human Resources, my main objective is to ensure that we have a happy workforce! It is really a neat function in any organization. I work for WJS as a company by mitigating risks, perhaps developing and delivering some training, advising on personnel issues and much more. What I really love is that I also work for you! In Human Resources, employees are my customers. And I work to keep my customers happy!
Q: What do you think makes WJS different from other organizations?
I have found that people who work in Social Services do so because they just know they are meant to. It’s like a calling for them. To work in social services you have to be caring and compassionate, patient and understanding. When you bring together more than 600 people that have these qualities, you are working in one of the warmest, friendliest places you can be. It’s a great vibe, a positive energy. That’s what I think really makes WJS stand out.
Q: Why did you want to work with WJS Canada?
I haven’t had the opportunity to work in social services before. I really wanted to give it a try. There’s stability in social services that some other industries don’t have. It was intriguing to me. One of my sons (I have three) has some cognitive and motor delays. I wanted to work somewhere that would help me to understand what his future may look like. I wanted to work somewhere that makes a difference in the lives of people just like my son. I also really appreciate the flexibility and work/life balance that WJS had to offer.
Q: What’s the most important part of your role?
The most important part of my role really is employee satisfaction. It is important to me to build relationships with employees. I get to be a part of some really fun initiatives like rewards and recognition. I also get to be a part of some of the tougher times, like layoffs. My goal is that no matter what the situation, the employee feels welcomed, valued and appreciated.
Q: Will you share something about you that we may not already know?
I absolutely love the water. I could spend my life scuba diving, swimming, and just playing in the ocean. The ocean is my happy place. Not a perfect match for living in Alberta!
Q: What do you do outside of work?
I have another full-time job that I attend to outside of work. My title is Parent. I have 3 wonderful boys, aged 16, 11 and 7. Most of my free time is chauffeuring them to different activities and sporting events. I love camping with my family in the summers. When I do have downtime for myself, I enjoy a good book.