2017 Best Workplaces for Women
Great Place to Work® is pleased to announce the 2017 list of Best Workplaces in Canada for Women. To be eligible for this list, organizations must be Great Place to Work Certified™ in the past year and have a minimum of 50 female employees. We determined the BEST based on levels of workplace trust experienced by their female workforce as well as their people programs that support women.
From Pro-D to Pro-Person – Encouraging employees to bring their whole selves to work
Employees are first and foremost people – they have multiple identities, interests, passions and goals. So when looking to engage people at work it’s important to see employees holistically and understand who they are, what excites them and what interests they have outside of work. By doing so you can help them develop their whole self, not just their professional self. And when they are able to bring their ‘whole selves’ to work their overall satisfaction, motivation and happiness increases significantly.
Supporting Working Moms – Before, During and After Maternity Leave
Between maternity and parental leave, Canadian women are eligible for up to 50 weeks of paid time off. And while this is an enviable benefit it’s not without some drawbacks when it comes to women’s careers. Women often report that the transition back to work is difficult and many feel disconnected and disengaged upon their return. Rather than risk losing these talented and experienced women, proactive organizations are using this leave time to maintain and even strengthen the employment relationship and ensure a smooth and supportive transition back to work.
Using Your Values to Engage Millennials
We hear a great deal about "engaging" millennials - they are the largest generation in the workforce after all! Most of what we hear relates to their reliance on technology, their dependence on social media and their demand for a balanced life. We also hear plenty about how they have less corporate loyalty than other generations and how their self-entitlement makes them difficult to manage. What we need to hear more about however, is how we can tap into their unique sense of self and community to foster the loyalty and engagement we are looking for in our employees.
Eliminating Silos and Strengthening Cross Departmental Bonds
When people within an organization all work together toward a shared goal and destination they can achieve great things. Too often though, barriers exist between departments and competition rather than collaboration reigns supreme. And while competition itself can be motivating, that competitive nature needs to be channeled toward organizational wins leaving departments free to collaborate and support one another on the way toward organizational success.
Corporate Giving and Employee Engagement
When we think about corporate giving, the first thought typically goes to giving dollars. In reality though there are many different ways to give back to the community. The best workplaces are keenly aware that while giving money is appreciated, it doesn’t offer the same cultural impact that giving of time and talent can achieve. To help you take your corporate giving programs to the next level we have put together some ideas to inspire you.
Flexibility at the Workplace
Flexibility is no longer just the domain of contortionists, limbo champions, or downward-dog aficionados. Flexibility is an important element of a healthy and productive workplace. In an age where demands on our time are greater than ever before, time has emerged as a valuable currency. Flexibility provides a crucial link to providing time for people to live a balanced life where work is viewed as one of the many important roles in a person’s life. So whether you offer flexible schedules, flexible hours or flexible workspaces, the key is working with your people to determine how they can thrive while ensuring the work gets done.
Health and Fitness at Work
Society places a high value on health and fitness. Being physically active is linked to many positives including cardiovascular health, longevity, mental acuity, and lower stress. So it’s no surprise that the best workplaces encourage health and fitness amongst their employees. And this encouragement comes in many different forms. From fully equipped onsite gyms and full service smoothie bars to noon-hour walking clubs and replacing desk chairs with fitness balls; there is a plethora of ways to encourage a culture of fitness that will suit any office and any budget. So no excuses… let’s get started!
Fostering Mental Health in the Workplace
We have come a long way with our efforts to promote healthy workplaces. The term ‘balance’ is now solidly woven into the cultural fabric of great workplaces – from flexible scheduling and daycare programs to employee fitness challenges and healthy food options in the snack room, great employers embrace many different initiatives to ensure their employees’ wellness. Until recently however, a large piece of this ‘wellness pie’ has been left unattended. That piece is mental wellness and it’s important that organizations today create environments that foster mental wellness and allow employees to realize their full potential.
Creating a Culture of Recognition
The concept of recognition is simple enough; thank and appreciate your people and they will work hard for you. After all, people are highly motivated by praise and gratitude so why do some recognition programs flourish and others fall flat?
