1. Back In Motion Rehab
Surrey, B.C. | Health care | 57 employees
BiM prefers to promote existing staff, even if that means supporting additional training—all employees are entitled to up to $700 per year and paid days off for education. It has also shared 30% to 50% of distributed profits.
2. 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
Vancouver, with offices worldwide | Junk-removal services | 300 employees
A renovated open-concept workspace gets different departments mingling. Employees are encouraged to share their "101 Personal Life Goals" and support each other's dreams—when the CEO heard about one employee's goal to read Anna Karenina in Russian, he had a rare copy sent to her from Moscow.
3. Urban Systems
Kamloops, B.C. | engineering, planning and landscape architecture | 270 employees
The so-called University of Urban Systems is open to all staff and offers courses from effective business writing to leadership training. All managing partners and many staff members have also attended a several-day-long course put on by the Queen's University School of Leadership.
4. Environics Communications
Toronto | Marketing and communications | 80 employees
The ESRA awards(arse spelled backward)get staff laughing at their embarrassing moments. The "Five for Five" program gets them out of the country—in their fifth year, employees are given $5,000 and an extra week of permanent vacation to go anywhere in the world.
5. Karo Design
Calgary, Vancouver | Communications, web, interior and product design | 70 employees
Karo owns a Smart car and two mountain bikes employees can borrow for biz or pleasure. Staff members are given as much time off as they need for volunteer work, and interest-free loans have been given to those in need.
6. Vancity Credit Union
Vancouver | Financial services | 2,300 employees
Managers have a budget to thank staff with anything from gift certificates to dinners. Environmental commitment gives employees a sense of making a difference: Vancity products include a Clean Air Auto loan to reward low-emission cars; it plans to go carbon neutral by 2010.
7. Edward Jones Canada
mississauga, with offices Canada-wide | Investment advice | 1,765 employees
Management eschews job descriptions and lets employees set their roles. Those who succeed in diversifying clients' assets get up to two "Diversification Trips" each year—2006 destinations included the Amalfi Coast and Grand Cayman.
8. Halsall Associates
Toronto, with six offices across Canada | Consulting engineering and project- management firm | 215 employees
The firm's lean structure emphasizes teamwork and knowledge-sharing over hierarchy and titles. "You'll even see seniors reporting to juniors on particular projects," says career development manager Mike Peddle.
9. iTRANS Consulting
Richmond hill, Ont., with four other offices in Canada| Transportation planning and traffic engineering | 90 employees
Staff hit social events from skiing to an annual anniversary soiree they fly in to from around Canada. Mentors and "lunch and learn" sessions tackle personal and professional development.
10. Ernst & Young LLP
Toronto and 13 locations | Professional services(financial)| 3,775 employees
Employees can exercise flexibility and work from home. A concierge service for help with errands and a backup child- and elder-care program contribute to work/life balance. In summer, staff get an extra day off each long weekend.
11. WCG International hr solutions
Victoria | Professional services(human resources)| 152 employees
Employees leaving the company often say they feel like they're leaving a family, says HR director Barbara Patterson. Hours are flexible, and monthly massages are offered on company time. "Mya's Wish Foundation" was created to help a former employee whose two-year-old daughter required medical care.
12. AdFarm
Calgary, with three satellites | Agricultural marketing and communications | 81 employees
AdFarm shares profits through a bonus program. Employees can purchase shares in two company-owned farms and participate in their management. "It's a great way for staff who don't have the agriculture background to get their feet wet," says executive assistant Donna Ford.
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