Presented exclusively by Atlantic Business Magazine in partnership with Mediacorp Canada Inc.

ACCORDING TO MEDIACORP CANADA INC., (the organization that manages the Atlantic Canada’s Top Employers competition), making the grade requires progressive human resources programs and forward-thinking workplace policies. “Our Atlantic winners reflect the rich history of the area and its promising future,” says managing editor Richard Yerema. “From resource processing to leading-edge technology companies, there’s plenty of innovation going on in all four Atlantic provinces. The employers we have chosen are the leaders in offering benefits for every stage of their employees’ career: advancement opportunities, professional development, family-friendly policies and retirement planning.”

“Nationally, we saw an increase in the number of employers that wanted us to review their workplace polices and HR initiatives. Atlantic Canada was no exception,” says Anthony Meehan, publisher of Canada’s Top 100 Employers (applicants for the national program are automatically entered in the regional competition). “With its supply of excellent educational institutions and quality of life, Atlantic Canada is well positioned to benefit from the changes we see taking place in Canadian workplaces—and the employers on this year’s list are leading the way.”

Applicants are graded on eight criteria: physical workplace; work atmosphere and social; health, financial and family benefits; vacation and time off; employee communications; performance management; training and skills development; and, community involvement.

For information about applying for next year’s competition:
https://www.canadastop100.com/2019

Direct property and casualty insurance carriers
394 FT staff | Halifax, N.S.

Benefit highlights:

• maternity leave top-up payments (to 100% of salary for 14 weeks) and parental top-up for new fathers and adoptive parents (to 100% of salary for 7 weeks). They also offer an option to extend leave into an unpaid leave of absence
• encourage employees to give back to local communities by matching employee donations
• tuition subsidies for courses both related and unrelated to their current role, subsidies for professional accreditation and formal mentoring opportunities

Pharmaceutical manufacturing
283 FT staff | Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Benefit highlights:

• full tuition subsidies for courses related and not directly related to employees’ current roles, as well as offering a range of in-house and online training programs
• paid internships and apprenticeship programs
• fitness subsidy included in employee health plan, as well as additional health spending account for additional coverage (both amounts increase for family plans)
• employees are encouraged to recruit their friends with new employee referral bonuses (from $100 to $500)
• opportunity for annual year-end bonuses

Empowering our employees to take ownership of their roles and responsibilities is critical to our success. An employee who takes ownership is highly engaged, leading to increased productivity, less absences, and overall, higher profitability. At BioVectra, we are actively working to ensure that the people who are doing the work are empowered to make decisions.
—Lester Wood, executive director of human resources BIOVECTRA

Insurance agencies and brokerages
142 FT staff | Saint John, N.B.
Benefit highlights:

• provides paid time off to volunteer (one paid hour per week of work for volunteering) and seeks employee feedback on which organizations to support
• defined contribution pension plan with potential for more via year-end bonus program
• corporate social committee (The Social Butterflies) helps organize a variety of events throughout the year, from the annual Christmas party to departmental summer outings

Engineering services
261 FT staff | Halifax, N.S.

Benefit highlights:

• paid internships, ongoing inhouse training/education for employees and tuition subsidies for courses related to their position (with no maximum limit)
• head office is steps away from shops and restaurants along the Halifax waterfront. The complex includes a mix of commercial and retail tenants and houses a fully-functioning Keith’s brewery
• maternity leave top-up payments for new mothers (to 80% of salary for 17 weeks) with the option to extend leave into an unpaid leave of absence

Seafood processing
1,003 FT staff | Bedford, N.S.

Benefit highlights:

• retirement planning assistance services and annual matching RSP contributions
• maternity and parental leave top-up payments, to 70% of salary ranging from 35 to 52 weeks (including adoptive parents)
• tuition subsidies for job-related courses (and courses not directly related to current role) as well as course completion bonuses for specific programs

Property management and development
271 FT staff | New Glasgow, N.S.

Benefit highlights:

• free memberships to an onsite fitness facility complete with rowing machines, stationary bikes, weights and towel service as well as a Vitamix blender for making smoothies
• maternity and parental leave top-up payments (to 70% of salary for 26 weeks) with the option to extend leave into an unpaid leave of absence. Also offers alternative work options when ready to return to work (varies by position)
• defined contribution pension plan as well as profit-sharing and year-end bonus programs

Our team is one of our primary competitive advantages, and having healthy and engaged employees is a critical part of Crombie’s overall strategy. To us, employee engagement must be a priority throughout the entire employee experience and our employees agree; with over 90% participating in our 2017 annual employee engagement survey and strong engagement outcomes and results. This all leads to having a high-performing and diverse team of real estate professionals from coast to coast.
— Cheryl Fraser, chief talent officer and VP communications CROMBIE REIT

Custom computer programming services
96 FT staff | Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Benefit highlights:

• 3 weeks paid vacation for new employees and a formal earned days off program. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence, with duration varying by request
• tuition subsidies for job-related courses (to $2,400), formal mentoring, and inhouse and online training programs
• apprenticeship opportunities, paid internships and formal mentoring programs

Electric power generation/ distribution and gas distribution
3,460 FT staff | Halifax, N.S.

Benefit highlights:

• retirement planning assistance and defined contribution pension plan
• maternity and parental leave top-up payments and subsidized IVF (up to $15K) if required
• subsidized memberships for onsite fitness facility
• inhouse and online training programs as well as tuition subsidies for courses at outside institutions

Professional association
96 FT staff | Bedford, N.S.

Benefit highlights:

• maternity and parental leave topup payments for new mothers and fathers, including adoptive parents (to 93% of salary for 15 weeks), and subsidized IVF (up to $15K) if needed
• tuition subsidies for courses taken at outside institutions, subsidies for professional accreditation and inhouse career planning services
• four weeks per year of paid vacation for new hires, to a maximum of six weeks throughout their career

Seafood processing
433 FT staff | Lunenburg, N.S.

Benefit highlights:

• referral bonuses (up to $300) for successfully hired new candidates
• full tuition subsidies for courses related and not directly related to their current position
• in-house training options, including apprenticeship opportunities
• retirement planning assistance, phased-in work options and contributions to defined benefit or defined contribution pension plans (varies with employee group)

Telecommunications
205 FT staff | Mount Pearl, N.L.

Benefit highlights:

• colleague recognition “spot beam” awards
• permanent employees may be eligible for annual bonuses
• discounted products and services through the “WorkPerks” program
• referral bonuses (up to $500) for each successful hire
• inhouse and online training as well as tuition subsidies for courses related to their position (up to $2,000 annually)

Petroleum refining, distribution and retail
2,474 FT staff | Saint John, N.B.

Benefit highlights:

• maternity and parental leave top-up payments for new mothers or fathers (including adoptive parents), to 100% of salary for up to 17 weeks
• academic scholarships for children of employees interested in pursuing post-secondary studies (up to $2,000 per child)
• promotes diversity and inclusion via the E3 Women’s Forum and “eMERGe” employee group for millennials (organizes networking, learning and development events throughout the year)
• supports a number of charitable initiatives each year, including the Fuel the Care program to cover fuel related travel expenses for a sick child’s medical treatment. It is administered in partnership with seven hospitals and has helped more than 50,000 in the past 15 years

Hospital
1,633 FT staff | Halifax, N.S.

Benefit highlights:

• three weeks paid vacation/year for new hires and previous work experience taken into consideration when setting individual vacation entitlement
• formal earned days-off program
• maternity top-up payments (to 93% of salary for 15 weeks); new dads and adoptive parents are eligle for payments to 93% of salary for 10 weeks
• retirement planning assistance, phased-in retirement work options, defined benefit pension plan, and health benefits extended to retirees, with no age limit

Air transportation
4,340 FT staff | Dartmouth, N.S.

Benefit highlights:

• formal mentoring, inhouse and online training options, and tuition subsidies for programs related to their position (up to $3,000 annually)
• retirement planning assistance and contributions to defined benefit or defined contribution pension plan, depending on their position
• share purchase plan available to all employees
• summer student opportunities, paid internships, co-op and apprenticeship opportunities, and formal mentoring

Property management and development
440 FT staff | Halifax, N.S.

Benefit highlights:

• charitable program focused on housing for families
• paid time off for volunteer activities
• employees provide feedback on which corporate initiatives should be supported each year
• free memberships to onsite fitness facility featuring treadmills, stationary bikes, rowing machines, weights and instructor-led classes, such as cardio, step and yoga
• maternity leave top-up payments for new moms (to 80% of salary for 17 weeks) and flexible return to work hours
• academic scholarship program for children of employees pursuing postsecondary education (up to $3,000)

Direct health and medical insurance carriers
1,895 FT staff | Moncton, N.B.

Benefit highlights:

• flexible work arrangements and a recently introduced vacation purchase program to help employees find more time to spend with their families
• maternity and parental leave top-up payments (to 90% of salary for up to 6 weeks) with the option to extend their leave into an unpaid leave of absence
• commits an annual social dividend to the Medavie Health Foundation to support community-based programs, in addition to corporate community giving and employee giving
• paid time off for employees who volunteer and financial donations to organizations where employees volunteer their time ($500 for every 50 hours)

Post-secondary school/ public college
760 FT staff | Fredericton, N.B.

Benefit highlights:

• maternity and parental leave top-up payments for parents and adoptive parents (to 75% of salary for 17 weeks) with the option to extend into an unpaid leave of absence
• previous work experience taken into consideration when setting vacation entitlements for new employees and paid personal days off
• two paid volunteer days each year
• free memberships to an onsite fitness centre that offers a variety of instructor-led classes (for a small fee)

Credit union
120 FT staff | St. John’s, N.L.

Benefit highlights:

• 3 weeks paid vacation/year for new employees, moving to 4 weeks after 3 years on the job
• formal earned days off program
• formal mentoring, in-house and online training options and tuition subsidies for job-related courses
• academic scholarship program for children of employees pursuing post-secondary studies (up to $3,000 per child)
• retirement planning assistance, phased-in work options for employees nearing retirement and matching contributions to RSP plans
• financial discounts, from banking services to auto insurance to home mortgages

At NLCU our employees are our greatest asset. We work very hard to create a culture whereby our employees feel valued and are recognized for the considerable contribution they make to our organization and the communities where they live and work. Employee satisfaction is paramount to NLCU therefore we put programs, policies and other measures in place to help grow and retain our employee group.
—Laurie Roberts, B Comm., CHRP, director, human resources NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR CREDIT UNION

Petroleum refining and distribution
146 FT staff | St. John’s, N.L.

Benefit highlights:

• new employees start with three weeks paid vacation, to a maximum of 6 weeks over the course of their careers
• option for unpaid leave of absence, if required
• health plan includes fertility prescription drugs and support for IVF (to $10,000) if needed
• academic scholarship program for children of employees (up to $1,000 per child)
• telecommuting and flexible work hour options (varies by position)

Nursing care facilities
998 FT staff | Halifax, N.S.

Benefit highlights:

• maternity and parental leave top-up payments for up to 17 weeks (for parents and adoptive parents)
• main office amenities include an employee lounge, a quiet room for meditation and relaxation and a fitness facility with exercise equipment and shower facilities
• defined benefit pension plan

Accounting
51 FT staff | St. John’s, N.L.

Benefit highlights:

• maternity and parental leave top-up payments (for parents and adoptive parents)
• matching RSP contributions and year-end bonuses, signing bonuses for some positions and new employee referral bonuses
• paid time to volunteer and matching donations to organizations that employees support

Computer systems design services
913 FT staff | Halifax, N.S.

Benefit highlights:

• head office employee lounge with comfortable seating, video games, foosball, table hockey as well as books and magazines
• in vitro fertilization subsidy (to $2,400) if needed
• maternity leave top-up payments (to 75% of salary for 8 weeks)
• alternative work options
• inhouse and online training programs, formal mentoring and tuition subsidies for courses related to their current position (to $5,250)

Provincial government, economic development
129 FT staff | Fredericton, N.B.

Benefit highlights:

• free memberships for head office employees to a shared-use onsite fitness facility and after-work employee sports teams
• maternity and parental leave topup payments for new and adoptive moms (to 75% of salary for 17 weeks)
• option to extend their parental leave to an unpaid leave of absence
• defined contribution pension plan
• health benefits plan extends to retirees with no age limit

It’s a tie
Parental supports (maternity and paternal leave top-up payments and IVF subsidies) are tied with pension contributions/retirement planning as the most popular benefits offered by Atlantic Canada’s Top Employers. Also close to the top of the list: tuition and fitness subsidies.

Computer programming services
134 FT staff | Halifax, N.S.

Benefit highlights:

• employees provide feedback on which charitable organizations the company supports
• paid time off to volunteer »» employee lounge with games room as well as a daily supply of snacks, including fresh fruit, yogurt, granola bars, nuts and trail mix
• share purchase plan and matching RSP contributions
• opportunity for referral bonuses for new hires (up to $5,000)

Medical diagnostic products
125 FT staff | Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Benefit highlights:

• maternity and parental leave top-up payments for new parents and adoptive parents (to 100% of salary for up to 8 weeks)
• signing bonuses for some employees, referral bonuses of up to $1,500 and matching RSP contributions
• tuition subsidies for job-related courses (up to $4,000 per year), subsidies for professional accreditation and a variety of inhouse and online training

Technical consulting and management services
631 FT staff | Goose Bay, N.L.

Benefit highlights:

• head office staff have access to a fully-equipped onsite fitness facility featuring instructor-led yoga classes
• access to a broad range of career possibilities at home and across North America through its Virginia-based parent company
• in-house training options as well as tuition subsidies for courses related and indirectly related to their current position (up to $5,250 annually)

Defence electronics manufacturing
137 FT staff | Dartmouth, N.S.

Benefit highlights:

• alternative work arrangements including flexible hours, telecommuting and shortened work week options
• retirement planning assistance and phased-in retirement work options for those nearing retirement
• contributions to a matching RSP plan
• new employee referral bonuses, profit-sharing and share purchase plans that are available to all employees

Post-secondary school, university
1,755 FT staff | Fredericton, N.B.

Benefit highlights:

• contributions to a defined benefit pension plan and retirement planning assistance
• Retired Employees Association assists members with health benefits and related concerns and provides a collective voice to UNB
• full tuition subsidies for courses related and not directly related to their current position
• Institutional Sustainability Plan that outlines goals, targets and measurements in water and waste conservation, energy management, transportation, food services and education

Custom computer programming services
248 FT staff | St. John’s, N.L.

Benefit highlights:

• maternity and parental leave top-up payments (to 75% of salary for 52 weeks) as well as a subsidy for in vitro fertilization when needed (to $5,000)
• subsidy for gym membership (to $2,000 annually)
• the new head office was designed with employee feedback and features open concept pod-style seating, Skype stations throughout the office, two kitchen areas that include free breakfast and snacks, and a fully stocked fridge for weekly “happy hours” on Fridays
• situated near a wooded area with trails, which inspired the creation of an employee snow-shoeing club that takes lunchtime treks

Administration of human resource programs
399 FT staff | Halifax, N.S.

Employment benefit highlights:

• short walk to numerous shops and restaurants in downtown Halifax
• lunchtime yoga or zumba classes at the office
• maternity leave top-up payments (to 93% of salary for 17 weeks) and parental leave top-up to new fathers and adoptive parents (to 93% of salary for 10 weeks)
• retirement planning assistance and a defined benefit pension plan
• health benefits plan extends into retirement, up to the age of 65