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Human Resources Director’s Best Places to Work in Canada 2024 are raising the bar even higher by focusing on what matters to their employees:
healthy work-life balance
relaxed and open work environment
up-to-date tech tools and resources
feeling connected through team building and social activities
strong co-worker relationships
This year’s survey data reveals that the 46 winning workplaces, regardless of size, industry, or region, earned the highest employee praise for prioritizing their needs and well-being, an indisputable hallmark of exceptional workplace cultures.
As the leading companies show, the shared dedication to putting their people first creates a positive and inclusive culture that significantly increases the employee experience.
The York Region, ON, municipality attributes its thriving workplace culture to its dedicated 250-plus full-time workforce (it also has over 250 part-time staff) who take pride in their work and are committed to serving the community.
Employees rated the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville highly for:
relaxed dress code
co-worker relationships
pay and benefits
Town leaders emphasize the importance of communication, transparency, and open dialogue, which they promote through quarterly organization-wide town halls so staff are informed and engaged. They also recognize the significance of work-life balance and strive to provide wellness initiatives and flexible work arrangements to support overall employee well-being.
The organization celebrates successes and fosters an enjoyable work environment, as evidenced by the establishment of its staff events committee. The team organized its first Employee Appreciation Day in March 2023, and in 2024, the day featured in-person and virtual games, balloons, and a red carpet leading to a poutine food truck.
“It was the best event and day,” says HR director Claudette Banks. “We run numerous events yearly, and we do it because we want staff to feel like coming to work is fun.”
Survey respondents praised their employer for:
“A culture that is welcome and inclusive”
An environment where "I enjoy the work I do and the team I work with”
An organization where "the technology available to do our jobs is great, and the flexible approach to work with hybrid options is appreciated”
The town is committed to the professional and personal growth of its staff and offers a comprehensive suite of training and development, including:
diversity, equity, and inclusion
tuition reimbursements ranging from 50 percent to 100 percent for work and non-work-related courses
coaching and mentoring program for the senior leadership team
The international leader in the home renovation and outdoor living products sector headquartered in BC has earned repeated recognition as one of Canada’s best workplaces.
Its commitment to employee well-being, collaboration, continuous improvement, and innovation forms the cornerstone of its culture, attracting passionate employees and sharing in each other’s success.
“We care about our team members’ well-being and believe in prioritizing our people,” says senior human resources generalist Gloria Lam. “All of our staff have been carefully screened and selected to join us, and I think we all share those similar traits.”
Employees rated The Peak Group of Companies highly for:
co-worker relationships
strong brand and reputation
relaxed dress code
Helping employees grow and shine is paramount at Peak. The company offers an education reimbursement program to support continuous learning, and team members can attend workshops, courses, and conferences related to their position and profession.
“We also encourage cross-functional collaboration and provide opportunities for team members to take on new challenges and responsibilities, allowing them to expand their skill sets and advance in their careers continually,” Lam adds.
Employees noted the organization stands apart by:
“[Being] always willing to make changes based on employee input and cross-functional teams work well together”
“Participating in philanthropic activities related to employees or society”
The national natural and organic food distributor based in Concord, ON, offers meaningful employment for its staff, who are proud to be a part of delivering healthy foods through the retailers they supply.
“When you’re providing sustenance to people, it’s rewarding, and a lot of us get a sense of satisfaction from the type of organization we are,” says Lyn Morgan, senior director of human resources.
Employees rated UNFI Canada highly for:
dedication to diversity and inclusion
co-worker relationships
high-quality office design and décor
The organization, which communicates with staff in English and French, excels in its commitment to remote and hybrid work arrangements; philanthropy within the food world; and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Renovated workspaces foster collaboration and a relaxed atmosphere for staff that work on site at the company’s three offices, including Montreal and Vancouver. The lunchrooms feature booth-style seating, complimentary coffee and healthy food items, and table tennis.
“Our workspaces are absolutely fabulous, and it’s a real pleasure going into the office,” Morgan adds. “And given the type of company we are, you won’t go hungry.”
Respondents highlighted the organization’s exceptional qualities, such as:
“Open, transparent communication from senior leadership”
“They do well with inclusion, and there are social groups for everyone”
“They are innovative with new items and technology to make things better”
One of the benefits that underscores UNFI Canada's dedication to putting people first is providing discounts on the company’s food products during a time of rising food costs and inflation.
Staff receive bi-yearly performance feedback and regular one-on-one meetings with team leaders. They can participate in a mentorship program, and a formal succession program helps employees develop their careers with the company. A unique aspect of its education assistance program is that it pays for an employee’s learning at the beginning of the course, not at the end.
The leading financial services company has consistently earned its place on HRD’s Best Places to Work list, a testament to its outstanding workforce and leadership.
“The people are special, and we’ve been able to create the culture because they are committed and, organizationally, we are committed to listening to them,” says Diana Godfrey, senior vice president of HR and corporate affairs. “Listening is not about waiting for your turn to talk; it’s about absorbing what the person is saying before you respond.”
Employees rated Fidelity Canada highly for:
technology and resources
co-worker relationships
strong brand and reputation
Building its thriving culture is the culmination of bringing its people together in meaningful ways, from creating opportunities to celebrate organizational and individual success to participating in charitable endeavours.
Fidelity is at the leading edge in several areas, including the planned launch of a subsidized, full-service café at its Toronto office by mid-2024 to help staff impacted by rising food costs. The company’s leaders are also actively engaging with government officials to address commuting issues, whether by driving or public transportation.
“We try to put ourselves in our employees’ shoes, and we also lobbied our insurance company to extend health and dental benefits past the age of 70,” she adds.
Employees remarked on Fidelity’s distinctive qualities:
“They consistently look for ways to improve our lives and experience, work life, and everything that is associated with it”
“They recognize and appreciate employees’ hard work and dedication by giving bonuses, gift cards, subsidized food, and providing a barista on site”
The top employer continues to recognize the changing demographics of its workforce and aligns its policies and programs to reflect the new reality.
“When thinking about the future and sustainability as a top employer, it’s about listening to our employees, partners, and other organizations, deciding what’s right for us, and instilling it into our culture,” Godfrey says.
Comprehensive healthcare coverage remains a top must-have benefit for employees, followed by flexible work options, bonus and incentive programs, and a generous paid leave allowance. These benefits underscore the priority that top employers place on their employees’ physical, mental, and overall satisfaction.
A focus on the following vital elements contributes to creating thriving workplace cultures across the winning organizations:
Fidelity Investments Canada
Its formal hybrid work environment respects employees’ need for work-life balance. A dedication to proactive communication and engagement and prioritizing employees’ ongoing development is paramount at the organization.
Fidelity is setting the pace in:
employee-led charitable committee
financial support for home offices
scholarships for employees and their children
development program tied to an employee’s career path
With a strong focus on listening to employees' desires, the organization updated its benefits to include gender-affirmation medical needs. No topic is off limits in its roundtables with HR, where sensitive conversations are encouraged and supported.
Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
The first-time Best Places to Work award winner prioritizes its people, aligning with the town’s strategic plan emphasizing employee experience and engagement.
Among its recognition programs are:
Stouffville Game Changer: a peer-nominated program celebrating staff who initiate significant changes
Coach of the Year: honouring leaders who provide outstanding mentorship and guidance
Fair Play: celebrating integrity, respect, and fairness
Stouffville Cup: recognizing teams that demonstrate exceptional teamwork
Breakthrough: spotlighting individuals who exhibit remarkable personal and professional development
“Through these awards, we not only honour our employees’ outstanding achievements but also reinforce our municipality’s foundational values, fostering a culture of recognition, respect, and shared success,” says Banks.
UNFI Canada
Communication is paramount at UNFI: a central SharePoint site is updated regularly with company policies and news items, and a company app keeps staff connected and informed.
Quarterly North American-wide town halls with the CEO and an onboarding session with the company’s president for new associates complement its employee engagement strategy.
Other areas in which the organization is leading include:
32 hours of paid volunteer time
225,000 kg donated to food banks in 2023
creation of belonging and innovation groups
support for diverse-owned businesses
The Peak Group of Companies
Peak’s leaders value open communication at all levels, and its family-friendly policies and hybrid work model promote work-life balance.
The company is particularly proud of its comprehensive employee wellness program, which includes:
mental health support
fitness and nutritional resources
The entry process for HRD Canada’s third annual Best Places to Work ranking comprised two steps: an employer submission followed by an employee survey. For the first step, organizations had to complete an in-depth submission with questions looking at key factors, such as employee engagement, turnover rates, average tenure of staff, compensation and benefits, health and wellness programs, diversity initiatives, professional development, corporate culture, flexible work options, reward and recognition, and green programs.
Organizations that successfully completed the first phase were then sent a link to an online employee survey to be circulated internally. To be eligible for the Best Places to Work recognition, organizations had to meet a minimum number of responses based on company size:
1–99 employees = minimum of 10 responses
100–499 employees = 20+ responses
500+ employees = 50+ responses
The survey asked employees to rate their company across a range of metrics that constituted drivers of employee satisfaction. An employer needed to achieve an overall satisfaction rating of at least 75 percent to be recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in 2024.
