Toronto 
Canada’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are leading the way when it comes to progressive human resources policies and forward-thinking workplace programs, according to this year’s Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employers announced by Mediacorp Canada Inc.
The competition has been running for ten years and recognizes small and medium enterprises (SMEs) responsible for over half of Canada’s private-sector employment.
Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employers competition criteria for selecting winners have remained consistent and include Workplace, Work Atmosphere & Social, Health, Financial & Family Benefits, Vacation & Time Off, Employee Communications, Performance Management, Training & Skills Development, and Community Involvement.
The competition follows the definition of an SME used by Statistics Canada, which limits the competition to private-sector businesses with fewer than 500 employees.
The list includes employers that offer permanent hybrid work options, flexible time off policies, and unique staff recognition programs, which have helped improve the work environment and the lives of employees.
Some of the notable initiatives highlighted in this year’s winners include:
- Waterloo-based Auvik Networks provides new hires with a $500 subsidy to set up their home office and a $100 monthly stipend to cover remote work costs. They also have a no-limit vacation policy with a minimum of three weeks off each year.
- Calgary’s Olympia Financial has a special employee recognition program where colleagues nominate peers quarterly based on exceptional performance according to the company’s eight core values. Winners receive paid time off, free parking, gift cards, or even lunch with the company president.
- BlueStone Properties, based in London, Ont., offers new employees three weeks of annual paid vacation plus up to 10 personal days. These include four days called “Better Days” that are intended as flexible personal wellness days.
- Montreal-based game developer Mistplay encourages staff to donate time and money to local charities, matching employee donations up to $10,000 per employee annually.
- Vancouver’s FISPAN Services provides weekly onsite team lunches, allowing employees to sample delicacies from local restaurants and connect with each other in person.
- Toronto-based Points offers a unique personal leave program called “You Only Live Once” that allows long-time employees to apply for unpaid leaves of up to three months while continuing to receive benefits, bonuses, and accrued vacation.
A list of all the winners is available here.
