strategist surfboard: Canada's 50 best employers - Business

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At the core of the Best Employers list compiled by Aon Hewitt, a global HR consulting and outsourcing firm, is high employee engagement, which is driven by leadership quality, effective rewards, strong workplace culture and values, enabling productivity and the support of performance and development. The list is determined, in large part, by surveying employees. So Maclean?s asked all 50 organizations (listed alphabetically) what they think earned them such high marks from their staff. Here are the highlights:

AECON GROUP INC., TORONTO

Construction and engineering

Extensive training and development program includes a minimum of 40 hours per year in training and development, and 100 per cent tuition reimbursement
A team-centred environment, including a popular monthly ?Above and Beyond? program that encourages employees to recognize other employees? excellent work on the job
A comprehensive benefit program that is paid entirely by the employer

ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA?

Insurance

Flexible work hours help support a healthy work-life balance
Highly interactive town hall meetings with executives are held across the country to communicate results, to ensure employees understand Allstate?s business goals and priorities
An annual, formal talent pool review process is used to identify high potential employees and development needs

BBA INC., MONT-SAINT-HILAIRE, QUE.

Construction and engineering

A loyalty program recognizes employees who have had decades of experience
The ?career path program? gives employees an idea of how to gain traction in the company and go forward
Engineers work in the office but are challenged to take part in on-site work to gain more experience and expertise on both ends

BC BIOMEDICAL LABORATORIES LTD., SURREY, B.C.

Medical service

?Yoga classes and lunch hour learning sessions are available to workers
Yearly employee awards recognize certain workers with a dinner with managers, partners, and the CEO
The ?Go Green Team? educates staff members on green initiatives, and the ?Giving Back? committee holds fundraisers for local charities

BENNETT JONES LLP, TORONTO

Legal services

The firms holds an annual staff appreciation week
Monthly lunch-and-learn sessions are held on various professional and personal development topics, from financial wellness to personal relationships
A charity committee plans activities and dedicates collected funds for an annual organization (chosen by the employees), and employees have opportunities to volunteer during firm hours

BIRCHWOOD AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, WINNIPEG

Auto sales

In-house management training, known as ?Birchwood U,? arms employees with new skills, and a promote-from-within culture saw 40 internal promotions last year
On their 90th day at Birchwood, employees are invited to have lunch with a senior executive to discuss their experience at the automotive group
Employee recognition programs include Winnipeg Jets tickets; the top sales producers every month are listed in the Winnipeg Free Press

CANADIAN WESTERN BANK, EDMONTON

Financial services

Wellness benefit to spend on items that encourage healthy living, such as sports equipment or dance lessons
?Volunteer Spirit? grant of $250, which will be sent to the charity of the employee?s choice, for employees who volunteer over 50 hours
100 per cent reimbursement for relevant post-secondary programs, as well as an online learning centre and opportunities for in-house training

CHUBB INSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA, TORONTO

Insurance

A care initiative provides up to five paid days off for volunteering, a matching gift program and time and financial support for outreach efforts
A program that gives employees up to $300 annually for fitness club fees and equipment is combined with wellness activities such as on-site massages and yoga
The company takes a promote-from-within approach to career development

CIMA+, LAVAL, QUE.

Construction and engineering

A partnership program allows every employee to buy shares in the company
Perks include a tuition reimbursement program and an in-house dry cleaner
Every Friday work ends at noon, and employees can work flexible hours

CISCO CANADA, TORONTO

Communications equipment

Flexible work schedules
Opportunity to be part of cross-border teams of experts working on specific initiatives
Leadership encouraged on boards, business strategy councils and work-life initiatives

CLARK BUILDERS, EDMONTON

Construction & engineering

Focused on long-term training of high-performing employees
Frequent employee recognition at barbecues and celebrations
Significant career advancement opportunities; the company largely promotes from within

COASTAL COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION, NANAIMO, B.C.

Financial services

Every employee is a member of a committee that takes on one of a range of topics, from healthy living to corporate culture
There is a compensation plan for continuing education and important conferences
Staff are recognized often through company prizes and activities

CONEXUS CREDIT UNION, REGINA

Financial services

Employees get 10 days of personal time a year, enabling them to do personal business outside of vacation days
Employees get monthly and annual peer-to-peer recognition
Employees are accountable for their career development by sharing their goals and having regular discussions with their leaders about performance

THE CO-OPERATORS GROUP, GUELPH, ONT.

Insurance

Staff wellness initiatives include a head office with a gym and fitness classes, and discounts on GoodLife memberships for employees at other locations
? An annual succession planning process ensures that future leaders have the right skills and experience needed for the job
? Every year, staff members participate in a three-part performance plan called Achieve?employees list goals they want to achieve, and could receive bonuses if they meet their targets

CRUICKSHANK GROUP, KINGSTON, ONT.

Construction and engineering

A tuition reimbursement program allows employees to seek outside education and learning opportunities
Career progression programs based on mentorship and skill development allow employees to grow within the company
Multiple award and recognition platforms recognize individual accomplishments and key milestones

DELTA HOTELS AND RESORTS, TORONTO

Hotels, restaurants and leisure

A grow-talent-from-within leadership development program that includes succession planning and constant feedback
Delta Helps, the firm?s corporate social responsibility program, financially supports charitable partners but also allows employees to volunteer in community initiatives
Travel destinations discount program for employees

DILLON CONSULTING LTD., TORONTO

Professional services

Learning and development opportunities through ?Dillon U? and a formal mentoring program
A corporate sustainability program that promotes community and environmental initiatives
100 per cent employee ownership

EDWARD JONES, MISSISSAUGA, ONT.

Financial services

Pro?t sharing is available for those who have shown significant contributions to the company
New financial advisers get training to help those from different backgrounds succeed in their new roles
Flexible work arrangements allow employees to balance their work with their personal lives

ELLISDON CORP., MISSISSAUGA, ONT.

Construction and engineering

Company president Geoff Smith meets with every new employee to answer their questions and offer insights on the company
A tuition rebate program reimburses some tuition if employees want to update their education
EllisDon matches donations made by employees

FARM CREDIT CANADA, REGINA

Financial services

Training is offered on how to effectively coach fellow employees, including managers and senior executives
The company is deeply engaged in agricultural and rural communities
A fair compensation and bene?ts program is offered to employees

FEDERAL EXPRESS CANADA, MISSISSAUGA, ONT.

Delivery services

Employee remuneration packages include travel discounts and education subsidies
Employees who have gone above and beyond what is expected receive awards or even financial remuneration
The executive team visits every location in Canada to discuss how the business is doing and answer questions

FLIGHT CENTRE, VANCOUVER

Travel services

? A year-end black-tie ball is held to recognize top employees
? Employees have access to in-house fitness and nutrition consultants, and get discounted health club memberships
? In-house ?nancial consultants help employees manage their personal finances

G & K SERVICES CANADA INC., MISSISSAUGA, ONT.

Textile manufacturing

Eighty-five per cent of management positions are filled from within the company
Employees are offered tuition reimbursements, in-house training and online learning opportunities
Employees are offered discounted home and car insurance, discounted automobile purchase programs and discounted movie passes

GLAXOSMITHKLINE INC., MISSISSAUGA, ONT.

Pharmaceuticals

Employee charitable donations are matched by the firm?s foundation, while workers get a paid volunteer day off each year
On-site fitness centre and massage therapist, fitness subsidies plus healthy cafeteria options promote well-being
A formal learning curriculum, personal development tools and assessments are part of a large training and development program

GOLDER ASSOCIATES LTD., MISSISSAUGA, ONT.

Construction and engineering

All workers can buy into the employee-owned firm through a payroll deduction plan
Though a large company, it has a small, family feel
Career opportunities are enhanced through ?Golder U,? while many workers move around the firm to pursue internal opportunities

GOWLING, LAFLEUR, HENDERSON LLP, TORONTO

Legal services

A fitness program reimburses employees for 50 per cent of the cost of gym memberships and home fitness equipment
There are regular, formal progress reviews and competency reports
Each employee receives thousands of discounts through ?work perk? coupons that can be used at local or brand name businesses and restaurants

GRAHAM GROUP LTD., CALGARY

Construction and engineering

Employees are supported and motivated to contribute and play a direct part in the company?s success
An extremely high regard for workplace safety makes employees feel safe working on supervised project sites
Volunteer programs and donations foster deep roots in all communities in which employees live and work

GREEN SHIELD CANADA, WINDSOR, ONT.

Insurance

Lots of opportunity to advance careers in an organization that has doubled in the last five years
Generous benefits, a bundle of paid days off (including birthdays) and free coffee
Frequent and open communications with all staff through team meetings, town halls and breakfast forums

GROUPE SPINELLI, LACHINE, QUE.

Auto sales

A university tuition bursary program helps employees pay for the cost of their children?s education
Employees are encouraged to share their opinions in order to constantly improve their work
A respectful and transparent workplace is promoted

HATCH LTD., MISSISSAUGA, ONT.

Construction and engineering

Career management program gives feedback to employees to make sure leaders are connected with employees
A corporate learning centre looks after training of employees
Managers rotate from on-site work to office work so they have a greater understanding of the company and its employees

HOLLAND COLLEGE, CHARLOTTETOWN

Post-secondary education

Department heads are given significant leadership over budgetary and day-to-day decisions and there is minimal micromanaging by executives
Any staff member can submit a new company-wide initiative, which can be implemented after they are scored by multi-department committees
Monthly and annual employee recognition

ISLAND SAVINGS, DUNCAN, B.C.

Financial services

Employees are offered weekly training and ongoing education
Feedback, recognition and fun are promoted through regular peer recognition and an annual banquet
Community involvement is encouraged through volunteer work and community partnerships

KEG RESTAURANTS LTD., ETOBICOKE, ONT.

Hotels, restaurants and leisure

Staff restaurant discounts are also offered to friends
Social events for employees include ski competitions, baseball and golf tournaments
?Keg Oscars? honour the company?s best and brightest every year

LOYALTYONE, TORONTO

Professional services

Nearly half of call centre employees are able to work from home
The firm offers a ?manager-once-removed? career development program, as well as 3,000 online training courses
Environmental sustainability programs include an extensive waste-reduction program, an AutoShare Smart car fleet and educational lunch-and-learn sessions

LUSH FRESH HANDMADE COSMETICS, VANCOUVER

Personal products

Staff boxes are sent to employees several times a year with new products
Lush offers community gardens, staff sales for charity and themed parties
The company gives employees a voice to communicate issues that matter to them and their communities

MARRIOTT HOTELS OF CANADA, LTD., MISSISSAUGA, ONT.

Hotels, restaurants and leisure

Associates average 78 hours of training and 34 hours of professional development each year to ensure growth and development throughout their careers
Employees are offered travel discounts year-round?and deeper discounts during the holiday season?and tuition reimbursements
An open-door policy allows associates to talk to their manager or supervisor any time

MCDONALD?S RESTAURANTS OF CANADA LTD., TORONTO

Hotels, restaurants and leisure

Long-term rewards include an eight-week sabbatical for full-time staff after 10 years of service
Learning support includes educational reimbursements and employer-paid courses at the company?s ?Hamburger University?
A corporate dollar-for-dollar charitable donation matching program up to $3,000 a year

MNP LLP, CALGARY

Accounting

Professional development programming, regular performance feedback and career-planning discussions put a strong focus on career development
A wide range of career opportunities is available and employees have the flexibility to branch into a variety of industries
Promotions are based on merit, not seniority

NATIONAL BANK FINANCIAL GROUP, MONTREAL

Financial services

A women?s leadership network promotes the advancement of female leaders
Leadership profiles give employees specifics on what?s expected from them
Employees have direct communication with the president through lunches, branch visits, conference calls and meetings

NOVOTEL CANADA, VILLE ST-LAURENT, QUE.

Hotels, restaurants and leisure

Employees are encouraged to speak directly and openly to managers at all levels of the company through an open-door policy
Novotel has hotels in 60 countries, and employees drawn to international opportunities are supported in their efforts to work abroad
Every employee has a clear development path tailored to individual needs; many employees who have started in junior positions have moved on to senior positions within the company

OMERS ADMINISTRATION CORP., TORONTO

Financial services

An in-house mentoring program
Individualized employee development plans
An educational program that includes time off for study

PCL CONSTRUCTORS, INC., EDMONTON

Construction and engineering

100 per cent employee owned
Investment in specific areas of employee development through a job college with specialized curriculum
A work-hard, play-hard mentality; the company holds regular events to raise money for charity, including talent night and Family Feud night, as well as an annual year-end celebration

POMEROY INN AND SUITES INC., GRANDE PRAIRIE, ALTA.

Hotels, restaurants and leisure

Outstanding employees are recognized and receive a customized award to suit their own needs, be it mortgage payments, a special vacation, or contributions to an RESP
Top executives visit all locations in an annual ?road show? where all employees have the chance to meet with upper management, give feedback and ask questions
The company sponsors various local sports teams and helps employees enrol their own children in sports by providing equipment and helping to pay fees

SAP CANADA INC., VANCOUVER

Information technology

On-site cafeterias and ?tness facilities for employees
The Vancouver office has a community garden while the Toronto office boasts gardens, walking trails and a putting green
A peer-to-peer recognition program lets employees get recognition from their co-workers

S?CURIT? POLYGON INC., BOISBRIAND, QUE.

Fire protection

Employees get complete insurance coverage and company contributions to their RRSPs
Continuous training enables employees to work on state-of-the-art projects
There are global employment opportunities

STARWOOD HOTELS AND RESORTS CANADA, TORONTO

Hotels, restaurants and leisure

Reward and recognition programs include discounted stays at Starwood properties in more than 100 countries
Extensive training and development opportunities, including mentorship programs and management trainees
Encourage employee engagement through the firm?s three promises: do the right thing, go the extra step and play as a team

STIKEMAN ELLIOTT LLP, TORONTO

Legal services

Pro bono initiatives, environmental sustainability and community involvement are part of the firm?s social responsibility
Continuous learning, development and mentorship ensures members have the resources they need to do their jobs
Focus on timely, effective and ethical service to clients

TD BANK GROUP, TORONTO

Financial services

Significant training and development opportunities, with opportunity to take on multiple careers within the bank
Formal worker recognition programs include an annual employee appreciation week
Internal social media platforms support candid discussions, collaboration and networking among staff

VANCITY GROUP, VANCOUVER

Financial services

Employees are offered a $2,400 tuition reimbursement
Quarterly performance check-ins and mid-year reviews ensure professional development
A ?tness program provides in-house Pilates and bike programs

WESTMINSTER SAVINGS CREDIT UNION, NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C.

Financial services

Highly competitive employee benefit and retirement programs are offered
There is a strong commitment to helping employees achieve better balance financially and in life
?Regular CEO luncheons for employees

Rewards: Staff retention

The high salaries promised by Alberta?s oil and gas sector have left the rest of the province?s employers scrambling to secure what remains of an increasingly fickle and empowered labour force. Successful businesses are finding that staff retention is about a lot more than money.

?In Alberta, there are not enough qualified people to fill all our vacancies,? says Mike Olsson, a regional HR manager for Edmonton-based PCL Construction. The company attributes a large part of its low turnover to the fact that all of its permanent staff of about 3,600 workers own part of the company through an employee stock plan. Olsson says PCL benefits from large-scale recruitment efforts, ?but people stay because they know they are a part of something special. Our staff value coming to work.?

Along with its share program, the company puts an emphasis on training and an open-door policy for workers to approach their managers. The focus on employees appears to be paying off. Of PCL?s last 500 hires last year, one-third came from referrals.

At Clark Builders, another Edmonton construction firm, an employee stock plan is also used to retain and reward employees. Of its 800 staff, about 200 own shares in the company and reap the rewards of dividends. ?Every day, headhunters are trying to compete for our people. And many of our competitors have had struggles,? says Gerald Clark, the firm?s manager of human resources. The company also puts an emphasis on training, recognizing its top employees and promoting from within. ?You can spend up to 80 per cent of your life at work, so why not enjoy it?? says Clark. ?We have excellent values and we know our people.?

Management: Why perks don?t work

Boosting productivity with less staff is the Holy Grail of most businesses, recession or not. With Canada?s skilled labour shortage expected to get worse before it gets better, employers and HR professionals are taking stock of their current staff and trying to figure out how to keep employees both happy and loyal.

Trading generous perks for productivity might seem like the obvious answer, but experts say workplace happiness isn?t about things like free food in the cafeteria or a foosball table in the break room.

Dean Sockett, director of HR for Keg Restaurants Ltd., says the real key to winning over workers is effective management and a friendly, respectful workplace. About 8,000 people work at the Keg, and it boasts one of the lowest turnover rates in a service industry typically beleaguered by a revolving door of employees.

?We are big on ?work hard and play hard,? ? he says. ?We host many annual events: Keg Oscars, a ski race, volleyball and baseball tournaments and a lip-synch contest?the winner of which receives tickets to a warm destination,? he said. ?We have never formulated any premeditated strategies to retain staff; they all evolved naturally.?

Several top Keg executives started with the company as serving staff, a testament to a business climate that respects all of its staff as potential leaders, says Sockett, who also climbed up the ranks from waiting tables. ?It?s just how we run our company.?

Frivolous perks don?t work, agrees David Clarkson, vice-president of strategy and planning for Cisco Canada, a company that gives all of its 1,300 employees the option to work from home. Competitive salaries combined with the reduction in travel costs and the flexibility inherent in working from home has made it a successful initiative with employees, he says.

Neil Crawford, a partner with Aon Hewitt, says businesses implementing 11th-hour perks to increase productivity may not get the intended results. ?The key is great leadership and highly effective front-line managers. Employees value this more than perks because it is about them, as individuals.?

Finance: Happy bankers

Greg Newman was walking past New York City?s Zuccotti Park in March when an Occupy Wall Street protester started shouting at him. The man in his 20s was ranting about the one per cent?s conspiracy to crush the middle class, and Newman, who was sight-seeing with his wife, decided to hear him out. After listening for a few minutes, the senior wealth adviser at ScotiaMcLeod Inc. asked: ?Want to hear what somebody from Bay Street has to say??

Over the past few years, the finance sector?s reputation has taken a beating. Whether they?re the target of a global grassroots movement or are being blamed for causing the worst recession since the Great Depression or for producing high-profile crooks such as Bernie Madoff, the ?suits? are used to defending their profession. At a time when 64 per cent of Americans say it?s harder for U.S. companies to gain their trust today than it was a few years ago, why are those working in finance so happy?

While critics may claim a big paycheque would keep anyone smiling, Newman insists thatcompared to his work in another lucrative field, civil litigation, finance is more fulfilling: ?Law is a bit of a zero-sum game, with winners and losers; whereas in finance, there is a bit of a win-win. You can make a living from helping your clients with such an important part of their life.?

According to a survey by Aon Hewitt, employees of commercial banks, insurance companies and credit unions reported an engagement level of around 70 per cent or higher. Over 87 per cent felt their organization was socially and environmentally responsible. The high level of job satisfaction is in part because finance professionals don?t see their work as greedy and emotionless. ?Our business is not about selling a stock, a bond, a mutual fund and insurance,? says David Lane, managing principal of the investment firm Edward Jones Canada. ?It?s about helping people put their kids and grandkids through university and achieving financial independence in retirement.?

At the end of their 10-minute conversation in New York, Newman may not have sold the Occupy protester on the benefits of capitalism, but the wealth adviser?s willingness to engage with him was disarming. The young man asked for Newman?s business card so that the next time he was in Toronto they could grab a beer.

Management: Healthy benefits

There are few industries where keeping employees happy matters more than in heath care: 70 per cent of the total cost of health care is people costs. And as the health care industry grows and prepares for an aging population, hospitals across Canada are finding that improving employee engagement is one of the clearest strategies to improving health care delivery.

This is a lesson that Jack Kitts, president and CEO of the Ottawa Hospital, has learned. In 2009 the leadership of his hospital grew concerned that patient satisfaction wasn?t as good as it could be. From then on, the hospital decided, every patient would be treated as if they were a loved one. ?We learned quickly,? Kitts says, ?that in order to even think about success in our goals we needed a very active and engaged workforce that included all 12,000 employees and 1,300 physicians.?

That year the hospital undertook its first employee and physician engagement survey. Seventy-five per cent of employees responded saying they wanted the hospital to improve performance management, to make employee wellness a priority and to provide further career opportunities. The hospital set up committees to address these concerns. Since 2009, Kitts says the hospital has seen significant improvement in these areas, but there is still work to be done.

?If we can improve employee engagement,? Kitts says, ?we have no doubt that our patient satisfaction scores will go up, our quality and safety indicators will go up and we?ll become one of the top performing hospitals.?

St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg took a similar approach to engagement by first surveying its employees and asking what they needed. They reported a need for more active management, says Dave Leschasin, the head of human resources. St. Bonifice initiated a culture shift to help employees know where they stand in the organization. Their management engagement indicators have since gone from 65 per cent in the first year to 88 per cent currently.

?Employees like working for engaged managers,? he says. ?The number one reason why employees leave their organization is because of their manager.?

METHODOLOGY: 280 Canadian employers took part in this year?s Best Employers studies. Aon Hewitt identified the Best Employers based primarily on survey responses from more than 168,000 Canadian employees at these organizations, gauging employee engagement levels and work environment factors. Participating employers were also required to survey their executive teams. According to Aon Hewitt?s definition, employees are engaged when they ?say, stay and strive?: they speak positively about their employer to others, are committed to staying with their current employer, and are motivated by their organization?s leaders and culture to go ?above and beyond? to contribute to business success. On average, 79 per cent of employees were engaged at Best Employers this year, up from 78 per cent last year.

Source: http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/10/18/canadas-50-best-employers/

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