(Photo: IMAX)

BY KELLY ROCHE

Mississauga can brag about being well represented on Canada’s Top 100 Employers list for 2016 — and two leading corporations are in the south end.
IMAX, EllisDon, Novo Nordisk, World Vision, Samsung, GE Canada, and PepsiCo. were among the local employers who made the annual list of highly ranked workplaces.
Construction giant EllisDon – in Ward 1 on Middlegate Rd., near the Queensway and Cawthra Rd. – was once again on the list.
President and CEO Geoff Smith credits his employees for the company’s consecutive wins.
“What we’ve come to realize from a moral point of view— as well as from a very pragmatic business point of view— is if you put employees first, clients get great experiences and shareholders get great returns,” said Smith.
“You don’t even need to think about it. It just happens.”
EllisDon offers new employees three weeks of paid vacation and considers previous work experience when setting employee vacation entitlement; Windjammer Landing Resort in St. Lucia, owned and operated by the company, offers discounted accommodation packages to employees, family and friends.
The award, sponsored by Mediacorp Canada, salutes Canada’s best workplaces by highlighting the companies and organizations leading their industries in attracting and retaining talent; Mediacorp editors looked at the recruitment histories of 85,000 employers through job-search engine, Eluta.ca.
Each of the eligible employers for the list are graded on eight key areas: physical workplace, atmosphere, health and other benefits, vacation and time off, employee communications, performance management, training and skills development, and community involvement.
IMAX has more than 1,000 theatres across 66 countries. In Ward 2, its office on Speakman Dr. in Sheridan-Homelands is home to more than 340 staffers.
The company was commended for its compensation programs, learning and development initiatives, health and wellness benefits and unique perquisites for employees at all levels of the organization.
IMAX was also recognized for its dynamic workplace environment and high level of employee engagement.
The company has “always been fortunate to attract top-notch talent,” said IMAX executive vice president of human resources Carrie Lindzon-Jacobs.
Across town, World Vision, based near Hwy. 401 and Hurontario St., was lauded for its commitment to maintaining work-life balance for employees through flexible hours, telecommuting and alternative work arrangements.
In addition, judges noted World Vision’s support services for maternal and paternal leave and its commitment to ongoing employee education.
“Being recognized as one of Canada’s top 100 employers for the sixth year in a row is an incredible accomplishment,” said World Vision Canada president Michael Messenger.
Leading biotechnology company Novo Nordisk is situated on Skymark Ave., near Eglinton Ave. W. and Renforth Dr.
The company maintains a long-term focus on employee development, secondment opportunities allowing employees to test new jobs within the firm, and a dedicated program to further advance women’s career development.
“Our company culture is built upon engagement, innovation and a shared vision to make a significant difference in the field of diabetes and other serious chronic diseases,” said Novo Nordisk Canada president Brian Hilberdink.
Samsung Electronics Canada, in the city’s north end, recently introduced maternity and parental leave top-up payments – supporting employees who are new parents – to 75% of salary for up to 17 weeks for mothers and up to six weeks for fathers.
The company also offers a global mobility program, letting employees work in Korea for up to one year.
Top Employer winners were highlighted in today’s Globe and Mail newspaper and will be honoured at a summit November 16-17 in Toronto. The keynote address will be delivered by former U.S. President Bill Clinton. View the full list here. Mississauga is home to more than 70 Fortune 500 companies with a head office or major presence.
@qewsouthpost