Q&A with the Vancouver Airport Authority’s Darian Low

A: At YVR, employees have access to a comprehensive set of resources that support their well-being, including wellness programs focused on health promotion, education and preventative care, as well as a compassionate disability management program. Upcoming initiatives specifically targeting mental health are being developed with a dual approach: addressing immediate operational needs and taking a broader organizational focus. On a larger scale, we’re planning a video campaign featuring senior leadership to foster open dialogue around mental health and encourage employees to seek support.

Q: How do you judge the success of a program or initiative?

A: The success of a program or initiative is typically measured by return on investment, such as employee engagement, qualitative feedback and longitudinal data like reduced absenteeism, injuries, paramedical costs/utilization and organizational health surveys.

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However, I believe the success of well-being initiatives, particularly those related to mental health, should also be assessed through focused group and individual conversations. These discussions often uncover insights that quantitative data cannot. Ultimately, our commitment to both employees and the communities we serve means that, if our work positively impacts not only our employees, but also their families, friends and communities, that’s true success, in my view.

Q: What programs do you consider most successful/you’re most proud of?

A: We have a diverse workforce operating across a wide range of environments, so we created a dedicated communications platform to help employees stay connected and provide an easily accessible channel focused on their health and well-being. We also developed an integrated communications platform designed to achieve three key objectives: health promotion, education and resource accessibility.

Q: What top challenges do you face in your role?

A: Our workforce is constantly busy, overseeing the governance and operations of the entire airport. While this provides a dynamic and interesting work environment, it also presents challenges in managing personal health. One of my top challenges is finding the best ways to support employees in such a demanding setting. The needs of our workforce are ever-changing and, as a result, so are their health requirements.

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Additionally, in the post-pandemic labour market, employee expectations continue to redefine what makes a good employer, as well as how talent retention and acquisition are approached. Developing tailored initiatives and programs that meet the unique needs of our workforce in this evolving context remains an ongoing challenge we must continue to address.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies?

A: I’m passionate about fitness. When I’m not at the gym, I love spending time outdoors, whether it’s hiking, snowshoeing or road cycling in the mountains. I also enjoy playing beach volleyball, tennis and soccer. On the creative side, I’m drawn to landscape photography, which serves as a great outlet when I feel like a mountain climb isn’t the best option after a long work week.

Q: What’s your favourite employee benefit and why?

A: At YVR, we provide customized employee benefits to address unique challenges. For instance, after a series of unprecedented winter storms in Vancouver in 2023, we offered all staff complimentary massages over an eight-week period, with a therapist onsite to deliver the service. My favourite employee benefit is YVR’s agility in quickly responding to the needs of our workforce without hesitation.

Jennifer Paterson is the editor of Benefits Canada and the Canadian Investment Review.