CN, Shopify named to Canada’s best employers list

Two of Canada’s biggest supply chain suppliers have been named to the Canada’s Top 100 employers list for 2021. CN Rail and e-commerce software provider Shopify join 98 other Canadian organizations on the list produced by Mediacorp Canada Inc. every year.

According to MediaCorp, companies are selected based on eight criteria, which have remained consistent since the project’s inception:

1. Physical Workplace;
2. Work Atmosphere & Social;
3. Health, Financial & Family Benefits;
4. Vacation & Time Off;
5. Employee Communications;
6. Performance Management;
7. Training & Skills Development; and
8. Community Involvement

Employers are compared to other organizations in their field to determine which offers the most progressive and forward-thinking programs.

CN

In addition to the national honour, which it has received for seven years running, CN was also named to Montreal’s top employers list. More than 3,000 of its employees are located in the area, either working in functions based in its downtown headquarters or in one of its many operating terminals in the region.

CN was recognized for its tuition subsidies, its employee and pensioner-run Community Fund, which has raised more than $18.5-million over the past decade for Canadian charities supporting health and research, community well-being, children and humanitarian aid concerns, and its share-purchase plan.

Details of its ranking include specific letter “grades” for each of the criteria noted above. its marks ranged from a high of ‘A+’ for community involvement to ‘C’ for time off.

“I am pleased that CN has once again been named to this prestigious list, especially as it comes following a year of unprecedented challenges and changes,” said Dorothea Klein, the company’s senior vice-president and chief human resources officer.

“Railroaders play an essential role in the economy every day and this award belongs to all of them. Together, we will continue to build on the elements that make us a top employer while continuing to foster an inclusive, engaging and diverse environment for everyone.”

Shopify

Ottawa-based Shopify received recognition both nationally and for the National Capital Region. Its profile on the top employers’ website noted that although it has always accommodated a variety of work options for staff, it has recently adopted a “Digital by Default” approach. This “digital-first way of thinking, working and operating” came about as a result of enforced working from home during the pandemic.

Shopify was also tipped for its generous maternity benefits and $5,000 health and wellness contribution over an above the basic benefits plan.

Shopify’s grades ranged from A+ for workplace, time off, engagement and training, to lows of B+ for benefits and compensation, work atmosphere and community involvement.