The
50 Top Companies to Work for In Canada
~ How Does Your Company Compare?
The
Globe & Mail recently conducted a Canada-wide survey to
evaluate the 50 Best Companies to work for in Canada. This
survey, conducted by Hewitt for the Globe, sent invitations
to participate in the survey to more than 1,500 organizations
with at least 300 employees.
Contrary to popular belief, the top companies do not represent
glamourous, high-paying dream jobs. According to the thousands
of staff who responded to the annual Best Companies survey,
the top 50 companies were chosen for their focus on the details
of daily work and operations. These day-to-day details make
the real, tangible and positive difference in attitude and
culture for a company’s employees.
According to the Globe and Mail survey,
the following criteria is what makes employees feel their company
is a great place to work, hence making them one of the top 50 to
work for in Canada.
Communication
Honest and open communication plays a key role in making a company
a great place to work. CEO’s and top managers at the 50 Best
Companies communicate more often and more effectively with staff
than leaders at other companies. As a result, employees identify
more closely with management and its goals.
The Right Attitude & Recognition
Corporate attitude also separated the best companies from the rest.
The top-rated companies foster the small business mentality. These
companies were said to make their employees feel important, offered
their people praise and made them feel a sense of importance to
the system.
It’s the Little Things
It’s not all about the money. Some companies spend millions
of dollars trying to ensure that employees are better paid, when,
in fact, money plays a very minor part in motivating staff. According
to the survey, most employees are looking for simple recognition.
Monthly parties, holding fun draws or staff contests, or simply
receiving an e-mail of appreciation all proved to go a long way
for those who participated in the survey.
Clear
and to the Point
Organizations who ranked high on the survey articulate a clear and
concise vision, as well as companies who develop programs to keep
staff focused on their goals while actually listening to them and
acting on their suggestions.
Opportunity to Evaluate Superiors
The top rated companies allowed employees the opportunity to evaluate
their superiors at least once a year.
Ellis-Don: Our London Connection
As Londoners, we can be proud that Ellis-Don was ranked by its employees
as number five on the list of best companies. Ellis-Don has created
a “university” to train employees. They hire from within
before going outside and give employees latitude in decisions affecting
the customer. We can all learn from Ellis-Don’s example.
In conclusion, yes, your employees care about salaries and benefits,
but according to the thousands of staff who responded to the survey,
it is the total package that your company offers them that matters
the most. Take a step back and look at your organization from your
staff’s point of view. How do you think your company would
rank from their perspective? If the view isn’t perhaps the
one you would like to reflect your company, don’t be dismayed.
It is never too late to make a change for the better. After all,
good employees are your best investment. Taking the time to make
sure your company has invested in its environment and ultimately
its reputation attracts top talent employees. It makes sense to
make your company their best option.
