Atlantic Canada’s Top 25 Employers

Researched and produced by Mediacorp Canada Inc. | Presented exclusively by Atlantic Business Magazine

How does a company get chosen as one of the region’s most celebrated employers? Atlantic Business Magazine’s executive editor Dawn Chafe asks Richard Yerema, managing editor of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, to explain.

Dawn Chafe: How do you select Atlantic Canada’s Top Employers?
Richard Yerema: Employers are evaluated by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers using eight criteria, which have remained consistent since the project’s inception: 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. Employers are compared to other organizations in their field and region to determine which offers the most progressive and forward-thinking programs.

DC: How many nominations did you receive from Atlantic Canada for this year’s list? Was this up or down from last year?
RY: Year over year we have had increasing interest in employers from across Canada, with a seven per cent increase in applications last year. In Atlantic Canada, over 350 employers started the application process, which is also an increase.

DC: Did you identify any trends/common characteristics among this year’s winners?
RY: The important take-away is that employers who are competitive in this competition are ensuring they offer the kind of programs to help attract and retain employees over the course of their careers, from ensuring support for ongoing development and training (from in-house initiatives to tuition subsidies) to support for employees in their lives outside of work (with more employers offering maternity and parental leave with each passing edition) to utilizing technology to help employees balance and integrate their work and personal lives through flex hours, telecommuting and other alternative work options where possible (to highlight only a few considerations). I think what competitions like Atlantic Canada’s Top Employers help demonstrate is that creating an attractive work environment does not require breaking the budget. It’s about learning from others and making decisions on where a few thoughtful and measured policy changes can have positive and significant impacts on the lives of the people (and their families) who work with you.

DC: How can someone apply for next year’s list?
RY: Any employer with its head office or principal place of business in Canada may apply for our national competition as well as be considered for their respective regional competition such as Atlantic Canada’s Top Employers. Employers of any size may apply, whether private or public sector. If I can direct you to the “Apply” section of the national competition page (https://www.canadastop100.com/national), you should find everything you need there.

Admiral Insurance Services Inc.
Head office: Halifax, N.S.
Industry: property and casualty insurance carriers
FT employees in Canada: 434
Perks of the job:
• tuition subsidies for courses related to an employee’s position (up to $5,000)
• in-house and online training programs and subsidies for professional accreditation
• maternity leave top-up payments (to 100 per cent of salary for 15 weeks)
• parental top-up to new fathers and adoptive parents (to 100 per cent of salary for seven weeks)
• flexible hours, telecommuting and an earned days off program

AV Group
Head office: Nackawic, N.B.
Industry: paper mills
FT employees in Canada: 1,007
Perks of the job:
• maternity leave top-up payments for new mothers (to 100 per cent of salary for 26 weeks)
• paid personal days off
• in-house training, paid internships, apprenticeships, mentoring and tuition subsidies for courses directly related to an employee’s current position

CBCL Limited
Head office: Halifax, N.S.
Industry: engineering services
FT employees in Canada: 258
Perks of the job:
• maternity leave top-up payments for new moms (to 80 per cent of salary for 17 weeks)
• option to extend maternity leave into an unpaid leave of absence
• offers flexible hours, a telecommuting option, and shortened work weeks
• variety of in-house and online training programs, tuition subsidies for job-related courses, and subsidies for professional accreditation

CROMBIE Real Estate Investment Trust
Head office: New Glasgow, N.S.
Industry: real estate development
FT employees in Canada: 280
Perks of the job:
• year-end bonuses and profitsharing plan
• contributions to a defined contribution pension plan
• maternity and parental leave top-up payments (to 70 per cent of salary for 26 weeks)
• option to extend maternity and parental leave into an unpaid leave of absence

Dalhousie University
Head office: Halifax, N.S.
Industry: post-secondary, university
FT employees in Canada: 3,590
Perks of the job:
• free tuition for employees (up to two credits each year) and tuition subsidies for employees’ immediate family members
• subsidized memberships for employees, retirees and spouses to the Dalplex fitness centre

DeltaWare Systems Inc.
Head office: Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Industry: custom computer programming services
FT employees in Canada: 106
Perks of the job:
• tuition subsidies for job-related courses (to $2,400)
• formal mentoring, in-house and online training programs and a professional development allowance (to $500 each year)
• subsidized social committee organizes a number of fun events throughout the year, including a summer staff party (which includes a golf tournament and barbecue), bowling nights, beach volleyball, Halloween party, annual Christmas staff party and a children’s Christmas party

Health Association
Nova Scotia
Head office: Bedford, N.S.
Industry: industry association
FT employees in Canada: 84
Perks of the job:
• contributions to a defined benefit pension plan
• health benefits that extend to retirees
• maternity and parental leave top-up payments for new moms and dads (including adoptive parents) to 93 per cent of salary for 15 weeks
• option to extend maternity and parental leave into an unpaid leave of absence
• scholarship program for children of employees, to $2,500 each

High Liner Foods Incorporated
Head office: Lunenburg, N.S.
Industry: seafood processing
FT employees in Canada: 406
Perks of the job:
• maternity and parental leave topup payments (including adoptive parents) to 95 per cent of salary for 12 weeks
• in-vitro fertilization subsidy (to $2,500)
• scholarship program for children of employees, to $3,000 per scholarship
• retirement planning assistance, phased-in work options and contributions to a defined contribution pension plan (unionized employees participate in a defined benefit pension plan)

IMP Group Limited
Head office: Halifax, N.S.
Industry: diversified group, transportation to real estate
FT employees in Canada: 3,495
Perks of the job:
• in-house and online training programs, apprenticeship opportunities, formal mentoring, subsidies for professional accreditation and tuition subsidies
• employees help direct the company’s community and charitable giving initiatives
• paid time off for community volunteer work and matching charitable donations
• IMP Community Grant Program provides donations to charitable organizations where employees volunteer, to $250 for 20 volunteer hours

Jazz Aviation LP
Head office: Dartmouth, N.S.
Industry: scheduled air transportation
FT employees in Canada: 4,362
Perks of the job:
• formal mentoring, in-house and online training options, apprenticeship and paid internship opportunities as well as tuition subsidies for job-related programs (up to $3,000 annually)
• company-supported Jazz After Hours Club organizes a variety of social activities throughout the year, including golf tournaments, movie nights, comedy club evenings and Christmas parties for both employees and children of employees

Killam Properties Inc.
Head office: Halifax, N.S.
Industry: real estate management
FT employees in Canada: 425
Perks of the job:
• free memberships to an onsite fitness facility
• maternity leave top-ups for its new moms (to 80 per cent of salary for 17 weeks)
• alternative work options for new moms returning to work
• scholarship program for children of employees, to $3,000 per scholarship

Medavie Blue Cross
Head office: Moncton, N.B.
Industry: health and medical insurance carriers
FT employees in Canada: 1,921
Perks of the job:
• maternity and parental leave top-up payments (to 90 per cent of salary for up to 6 weeks)
• option to extend maternity and parental leave into an unpaid leave of absence
• tuition subsidies for job-related courses, subsidies for professional accreditation and financial bonuses for some course completion

New Brunswick Community College
Head office: Fredericton, N.B.
Industry: post-secondary, college
FT employees in Canada: 791
Perks of the job:
• subsidies for professional accreditation
• in-house and online training programs
• tuition subsidies for courses related and not directly related to current position, to a lifetime maximum of $10,000
• takes previous work experience into account when setting vacation entitlement for new employees
• paid personal days
• extended Christmas holiday shutdown
• two paid volunteer days a year

Newfoundland and Labrador Credit Union Ltd.
Head office: St. John’s, N.L.
Industry: credit unions
FT employees in Canada: 127
Perks of the job:
• scholarship program for children of employees pursuing post-secondary studies, up to $3,000 per child
• retirement planning assistance
• phased-in work options when nearing retirement
• contributions to a matching RSP plan

Northwood Group of Companies
Head office: Halifax, N.S.
Industry: nursing care facilities
FT employees in Canada: 989
Perks of the job:
• head office employees have access to an employee lounge, a quiet room for meditation and relaxation, and a fitness facility with exercise equipment and shower facilities
• tuition subsidies for courses at outside institutions
• variety of in-house and online training programs

Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation
Head office: Halifax, N.S.
Industry: health research
FT employees in Canada: 17
Perks of the job:
• flexible work options and a 35-hour work week
• new employees receive three weeks of paid vacation and up to five paid personal days off
• new moms receive maternity and parental leave top-up payments (to 90 per cent of salary for 52 weeks)
• new fathers and adoptive parents receive a parental leave top-up payment (to 90 per cent of salary for 35 weeks)

NTT Data Canada, Inc.
Head office: Halifax, N.S.
Industry: computer systems design services
FT employees in Canada: 915
Perks of the job:
• in-vitro fertilization subsidy (to $2,400)
• maternity leave top-up payments (to 75 per cent of salary for six weeks)
• option to extend maternity leave into an unpaid leave of absence
• employee-led sports teams, a health club subsidy for gym memberships, and lunch-time yoga classes

ResMed Corporation
Head office: Halifax, N.S.
Industry: custom computer programming services
FT employees in Canada: 61
Perks of the job:
• new employees start with four weeks paid vacation
• telecommuting and flexible work hour options
• share purchase plan
• matching RSP contributions

SportsDirect Inc.
Head office: Halifax, N.S.
Industry: internet publishing and broadcasting
FT employees in Canada: 58
Perks of the job:
• alternative work arrangements including flexible hours, telecommuting, and a shortened work week option
• maternity leave top-up payments, to 75 per cent of salary for 17 weeks
• new employee referral bonuses (to $1,000)
• year-end bonuses (up to $8,000)
• defined contribution pension plan

Technip Canada Limited
Head office: St. John’s, N.L.
Industry: engineering services
FT employees in Canada: 157
Perks of the job:
• career possibilities on five continents via Paris-based Tecnip International
• maternity top-ups for new moms
• subsidies for childrens’ summer camp programs at the company-supported Techniplex indoor sports facility
• company basketball team (summer) and subsidized indoor soccer (winter)

University of New Brunswick
Head office: Fredericton, N.B.
Industry: post-secondary, university
FT employees in Canada: 1,786
Perks of the job:
• amenities for main campus employees include a cafeteria (with healthy and special diet menus), a quiet room for meditation and reflection, and subsidized membership to UNB’s fitness facility
• UNB’s Community Spirit Awards program recognizes employees and students who go above and beyond to help their communities

Verafin Inc.
Head office: St. John’s, N.L.
Industry: custom computer programming services
FT employees in Canada: 189
Perks of the job:
• flexible “no limit” vacation policies, letting employees decide how much time they need in any given year
• open-concept work environment featuring small fitness stations throughout
• Friday afternoon beer cart that travels around the office

Workers Compensation Board of Prince Edward Island
Head office: Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Industry: administration of human resource programs
FT employees in Canada: 69
Perks of the job:
• alternative work options
• three weeks starting vacation for new employees and up to eight additional paid personal days off
• previous work experience taken into account when setting vacation entitlement for new candidates
• new moms and dads (including adoptive parents) receive maternity leave top-up payments, to 85 per cent of salary for 15 weeks

Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia
Head office: Halifax, N.S.
Industry: administration of human resource programs
FT employees in Canada: 392
Perks of the job:
• tuition subsidies for courses at outside institutions
• in-house and online training programs
• retirement planning assistance
• defined benefit pension plan
• employee health benefits plan extends into retirement

Xplornet Communications Inc.
Head office: Woodstock, N.B.
Industry: internet service providers
FT employees in Canada: 607
Perks of the job:
• alternative work arrangements, including flexible hours, telecommuting, shortened and compressed work weeks, and a formal earned days off program
• onsite amenities for head office employees include a fitness facility and an employee lounge, complete with video games, television, foosball and board games