The Value of a Positive Workplace

Considering we spend so much of our lives at work, it should be a top priority for every business to create a positive, healthy and welcoming workplace environment for its employees. For the staff at Websolutions.ca, fostering an awesome space to work in isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a sentiment we take to heart.

From seasonal and hybrid schedules to workplace retreats and regular visits from four-legged friends, we do our best to make our environment a fun, exciting and healthy place to spend our time - and we think every business ought to follow our lead!

To explore what a positive workplace looks like, why it matters, and how it keeps us cheery and motivated, we asked our staff to share their feelings about the atmosphere at Websolutions.ca and what makes it so special. Here’s what they had to say!

If there’s a single defining pillar of Websolutions.ca, it would be our unrivaled ability to work together. Nothing gets done around here without a healthy dose of teamwork, and that’s by design; each member of our team brings a wholly unique set of skills to the table, and that melting pot of talent is what keeps us at the top of our game!

From copywriting to design, strategizing to programming, our strength as a team lies squarely in how well we communicate, plan and act together to achieve a shared objective. As Patrick puts it, “I always feel like there's someone I can reach out to at the office if I need help or support. The open design of the office makes it easy to communicate with colleagues.” Our mutual respect for one another and collective desire to see both ourselves and our clients succeed keeps us comfortable, motivated, and most importantly, happy!

This support extends all the way up to management, too. Our team is well looked after by Bruce, our Operations Manager, who shared: “I love the commitment each of these talented professionals has to creating innovative, creative and functional solutions for our clients. And the coffee. I love good coffee.” With a strong team by our side and even stronger coffee in our bellies, it’s no wonder we’ve been at the forefront of digital innovation for over 20 years!

Of course, Josh has always made it a top priority to support his employees: “Everyone has a part in the success of Websolutions.ca. All staff and team members work together bringing their skills to the table.” It’s this consistent top-down support that keeps our team energized and motivated to tackle new challenges each day.

Ultimately, we aren’t so different from your favourite hockey team: we each pull our own weight when it counts, but are always just a tap on the shoulder away from lending a hand when someone needs it. By fostering this environment of support, camaraderie and honesty, we ensure no one on our team is ever left behind - and our clients are never left unsatisfied.

Websolutions.ca is a proudly progressive company, and that means we’re willing to think outside the box when it comes to maintaining staff satisfaction. One big factor for our team is making sure we maintain a healthy work-life balance to avoid burnout and creative fatigue.

Our boldest foray down this path came when we introduced a 35 hour work week in early 2025. By condensing our weekly hours from 40 to 35, our team was able to spend less time at the office every week - and as it turns out, less is sometimes more! Fewer hours working means more time to relax and recharge, and the result was our team being more focused, having increased energy, and producing better quality work for our clients.

This shift in priority was felt immediately and has proven very popular with our team, as it’s given us more time to unwind after a hard day’s work while making the day feel less like a marathon and more like a healthy jog. Our co-op student, Amber, agrees: “Josh does an excellent job at giving his employees the autonomy to make their own decisions regarding projects.”

As our team continues to explore alternative work schedules – including a 4-day work week during summer – it’s made one thing clear: it feels great knowing that our company has our wellbeing in mind and is willing to make meaningful changes to accommodate our mental health.

At Websolutions.ca, we believe in leading by example – and that’s why we’ve done a lot to make working here as awesome as can be. Our team works so well together because we all appreciate the importance of maintaining a relaxed, open and friendly work environment where everyone feels comfortable, included, and on equal footing.

How do we do this so effectively? In a word: trust. A project in our line of work is rarely a one-person job, and we constantly rely on each other to meet deadlines and respect the time and effort of our colleagues. As Carter puts it: “On the surface, the workplace is very relaxed, the offices have a welcoming atmosphere. Behind the screens, there's an expectation to work hard, which pushes us to improve our professional skills.”

This trust in one another does wonders for team morale and encourages a positive office atmosphere, as it gives us the freedom to focus on our own work and discover our preferred rhythm, all while knowing that our teammates are right there with us. Whether we’re working on the office couch or from the comfort of our own homes, our open communication and mutual trust ensures we never miss a beat.

We also encourage frequent distractions at work, much to the dismay of Josh. Whether it’s going for a lunchtime walk, grabbing a bite to eat at a local restaurant, or enjoying a few rounds of afternoon pinball, our team never shies away from a chance to break up the day with small pleasures. These moments let our team de-stress amid the daily grind, which Juan agrees has increased team morale: “I love to come to work. It is a comfortable place to work, with a great atmosphere. Having a team that gets along with each other while being productive is amazing.”

At Websolutions.ca, we’re fortunate to have a workplace that respects our autonomy and appreciates that we’re more than just walking job titles. Of course, with great freedom comes great responsibility, but it’s one we’re more than willing to take on in the pursuit of a happier day at work. After the success we’ve seen, we earnestly believe that every business, big or small, could benefit just as much as we have from adopting a forward-thinking approach to employee satisfaction and workplace positivity. A dash of fun really does go a long way!

So, what is the value of a positive workplace? For our team, it’s the peace-of-mind we get from knowing that we’re supported by our colleagues, the flexibility to work at our own pace, and the camaraderie and respect we all show for one another each day.

The coffee’s not too shabby, either. ☕