Category Winners |
From employee incentives to family-friendliness, these are the employers that are pushing the parameters of a positive working environment
Staff at the Workers’ Compensation Board – Alberta (WCB) care so much about health and safety in their workplace that they will rush to the aid of a co-worker with even the slightest injury. Broken arms, pulled muscles, even stinging paper cuts – it doesn’t matter the severity, WCB staff care. Mary Kykosz, team leader of human resources, says it’s about the WCB’s level of commitment.
That commitment is evident in the company’s ongoing endorsement of healthy eating (since 1991, the WCB has maintained Alberta’s longest-running Weight Watchers at Work Program), fitness (daily on-site fitness classes), prevention services (including on-site physical/massage therapy) and disability management (which saved the WCB 3,022 productive workdays in 2007). And while the WCB team isn’t likely to kiss any boo-boos, it will gladly ensure a new recruit’s workspace has been ergonomically adjusted to their body type and daily use.
The legislated health and accident insurer is setting an example in health, safety and wellness that it hopes its employer clients will follow. “We’re not selling a profit,” says Kykosz. “We’re in the business of trying to provide a service that’s fundamental to an individual’s livelihood.” – Stephanie Sparks
PCL Constructors Inc. (lost time frequency rate of 0.04, compared to industry average of 3.0; employee-run health and wellness committee)
Terracon Geotechnique Ltd. ($1,500 health spending account; $250 fitness account; zero lost time in 2007)
Midwest Surveys Inc. (ergonomic program; fitness subsidy; lost time injury rate of 0.22)
There’s a palpable sense of loss in the voice of Jim Ward, partner with Jason Sirockman of Iomer Internet Solutions Inc., when he discusses employee turnover. “I take it personally whenever somebody leaves. I had it in my own personal plan not to have a single person leave and one did. Maybe I was unrealistic.” But, he adds, “It really is sort of a mantra here to make sure that everyone’s well-adjusted… and that they never leave. That’s a big goal.”
To meet it, Iomer has focused its resources not just on providing Alberta companies with software- and Internet-driven business optimization services, but on convincing talented staff to stick around. Besides an on-site lounge featuring video games and foosball, perks commonly include flexible schedules and “geekfests,” which include go-carting excursions or trips to the local online-gaming café. Since the company’s start in 2000, however, incentives have gotten serious, recognizing staff with personalized gifts of trips abroad, digital cameras and car payment contributions. Iomer doles out bonuses quarterly rather than annually.
Overall, the bottom line is a secondary concern. “I embrace the people here so that we can be successful together,” says Ward, “rather than so I can fill my pockets with money.” – Scott Messenger
Telus Corporation (employee share plan; perks for manager and peer recognition; performance bonus program)
Suncor Energy Inc. (cash Excellence Awards; annual incentive for personal, unit and/or company performance; long-term stock option and share unit grants for all employees)
Shift Networks 2008 Inc. (free healthy lunches; all employees eligible for profit sharing after one year; gift certificates for outstanding performance)
