The best incentives, perks and groundbreaking initiatives inside Canada’s top employers
by macleans.ca on Thursday, November 7, 2013 6:01am -
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Jessica Darmanin; courtesy of Bennett Jones LLP
The Best Employers list, compiled by Aon Hewitt, a global HR consulting firm, is determined in large part by surveying employees. Their engagement is measured by their views on areas such as leadership excellence, manager effectiveness, supporting productivity, career development and recognition. Maclean’s asked all 50 organizations (listed alphabetically) what they think earned them such high marks from their staff. In addition, we’ve included the top areas where each company was rated strongest by its employees, as well as the number of years it has been on the list.
Here are the highlights:
Aecon Group Inc.
Toronto and Calgary
Construction and engineering
Years on list: 7
A rigorous “safety-first” culture is celebrated at an annual company-wide safety day.
An ownership culture is developed through a share purchase plan and profit-sharing.
The annual employee conference features leading speakers, such as Chris Hadfield.
Allstate Insurance Co. of Canada
Markham, Ont.
Insurance
Years on list: 2
Work-life balance is enhanced by flexible hours and a work-from-home policy.
Volunteering in the community is encouraged; the firm matched employee donations for the Alberta floods and the Lac-Mégantic disaster.
Formal processes for career development and talent reviews at all levels.
ATB Financial
Edmonton
Financial services
Years on list: 5
Workplace 2.0 enables workers to use technology and virtual modes of collaborating to deliver results.
An intensive development process called Masterful Leadership is designed to sharpen managerial skills.
The employee recognition program is one of the firm’s highest-ranking drivers of engagement.
BBA Inc.
Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que.
Construction and engineering
Years on list: 4
Biannual town hall meetings with executives are held across the country for regular, open communication with all employees.
A team-centred environment encourages co-operative interactions among workers.
Engineers and project managers can gain experience and expertise by working on-site.
Bennett Jones LLP
Calgary
Legal services
Years on list: 13
A formal recognition program for service is enhanced by spot awards of gift certificates and concert tickets.
Professional development is augmented through internal training, external courses and conferences; the firm pays 100 per cent of tuition for job-related courses plus time off.
Staff pick a charity to be supported through fundraising each year and organize volunteers to work during business hours at food banks.
Birchwood Automotive Group
Winnipeg
Auto sales
Years on list: 3
On their 90th day at Birchwood, employees have lunch with a senior executive to discuss their experience at the automotive group.
Classes offered to workers include the firm’s eight-week course on management essentials.
Workers earn Birchwood Bucks by hitting financial targets, and can then use them at a live auction to bid on prizes such as iPads, big-screen TVs and gift certificates.
Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust
Toronto
Real estate investment trust
Years on list: 1
A promote-from-within culture means nearly every manager has risen from the ranks.
In addition to doubling contributions to the firm’s retirement planning program, it started an assistance program for family issues.
The peer-recognition program lets workers shine a spotlight on colleagues; managers are encouraged to show appreciation through handwritten thank-you cards.
Canadian Western Bank
Edmonton
Financial services
Years on list: 8
Personal development and career progression is helped by internal training, career planning and education assistance of up to 100 per cent of tuition.
The comprehensive benefits program, which encourages healthy living, is funded almost completely by the bank.
Grants of $250 are provided to charities of the employees’ choice for personal volunteer efforts.
Chubb Insurance Co. of Canada
Toronto
Insurance
Years on list: 14
The modular benefits plan includes a company RSP program that “double matches” employee contributions, up to four per cent of his or her salary.
An annual fitness allowance, subsidized social events and sports teams, as well as in-house yoga and massages, aid work-life balance.
Employees get up to five paid days off annually for volunteering, and the firm matches donations.
Cintas Canada Ltd.
Mississauga, Ont.
Commercial services
Years on list: 7
Training programs include a corporate-culture course for new managers and cross-training for plant workers.
Every location holds an annual Spirit Day to celebrate the firm’s unique character.
Through its national charity, Free the Children, the company adopted a village in Kenya and is collaborating to offer sweatshop-free apparel in Canada.
Cisco Canada
Toronto
Communications equipment
Years on list: 6
As part of an inclusion and diversity program, executives and junior staff undergo role reversals, as the younger workers “reverse mentor” more experienced co-workers.
Workplace flexibility is promoted; 85 per cent of employees regularly work outside the office.
The firm invested more than $6.7 million in corporate social responsibility initiatives last year.
* Cisco was tops in four categories among all 50 organizations
Clark Builders
Edmonton
Construction and engineering
Years on list: 5
With 49 per cent of the firm employee-owned, workers can be investors in the future success of Clark Builders.
With workplaces that include construction sites as well as offices, safety training is provided on an ongoing basis and is of paramount concern.
Each branch selects a charity to support for the year through fundraising and volunteer activities.
Concept Group
Calgary
Energy services
Years on list: 1
A participative management culture where opinions of workers are valued and respected.
Training-tuition reimbursement aids current and future roles in the company.
Frequent social events include golf tournaments, a Stampede barbecue and holiday parties for adults and children.
Conexus Credit Union
Regina
Financial services
Years on list: 9
Open and transparent communication by senior leadership is encouraged through videos, blogging and personal visits.
Employees get both monthly and annual peer-to-peer recognition.
On top of the usual vacation allotment, workers receive 10 days of paid personal time each year.
The Co-operators
Guelph, Ont.
Insurance
Years on list: 11
Volunteer activities are encouraged through two paid days off annually.
Economic goals are tempered with consideration for the well-being of society and the environment.
Co-operative principles are reinforced through open communication.
Cossette Communication Inc.
Quebec City
Marketing communications
Years on list: 1
A flat management structure where it isn’t unusual to see a junior employee chatting with the CEO in his glass-walled office.
The firm is known for mixing fun with work; team building in Vancouver could mean a day tubing on a mountain; wine-tasting events occur in Montreal.
A company-wide training and development program includes the “digital you” initiative to help workers master complex digital communications.
Davis Automotive Group
Lethbridge, Alta.
Auto sales
Years on list: 1
A formal recognition program includes a trip to Hawaii for 20 years of service.
The comprehensive benefit plan includes company contributions to an RSP.
The founder and his three manager sons drove 1,500 km to all 12 locations in Alberta to hand out Christmas turkeys to workers.
Delta Hotels and Resorts
Toronto
Hotels, restaurants and leisure
Years on list: 14
As part of its wellness strategy, Delta recently launched a program specifically designed to address mental health issues within the workplace.
Proactive “stay interviews” start in the first six months of a tenure.
Leadership excellence is recognized through the Delta Celebrates program.
Earls Kitchens + Bar
Vancouver
Hotels, restaurants and leisure
Years on list: 6
Its Red Seal apprenticeship program pays the full cost of technical culinary training, books and knives; restaurant employees receive a minimum of 24 hours of training per year.
Awards include food and wine tours to destinations such as Bordeaux, London and Paris.
All staff get a discount of at least 30 per cent at restaurant locations.
Edward Jones
Mississauga, Ont.
Financial services
Years on list: 12
Profit-sharing is open to all.
A mentorship program lets workers learn development strategies from mentors in different areas of the firm.
A formal recognition program is in place for serving clients and fellow employees.
