Recruiting and retaining talent is essential to any strong organization. But focusing on this while juggling other organizational goals can be a challenge.
- Élisabeth Paquin, advisor, human resources at Aéroport de Québec Inc., in Quebec City. Winner, mid-sized not-for-profit organization“We have other support benefits, such as employee wellness programs, where folks can be eligible for up to $150 per employee for health and wellness related initiatives that they may take on.
“About three years ago we created a program that we call Spirit 32, … a whole-person development program. We’ve offered all kinds of things through that, so we had, for example, a 16-week mindfulness training program that was part of that. We’ve done a series of seminars on brain health. We have a naturopath we work with who has come in and given sessions on how to get well, how to boost your immune system, all kinds of physical health-related things.
- Parveen Sandhi, director of human resources at Avison Young Inc. in Toronto. Winner, large privately-owned corporation“I feel like focusing on the wellness and health of our employees sort of speaks for itself. Those employees are champions of the organization, and they do a lot of the work in promoting the organization through their own happiness and well-being at work.
- Shelley Parker, industrial psychologist at NB Power in Fredericton. Winner, large governmental organization“Our focus is always been on the safety of our members and looking after them, and for us that starts with our employees. So saying that we look after employees helps fulfill that promise, gives them purpose and connection to what it is that we do.
- Marc St-Pierre, vice-president of human resources at Sandoz Canada Inc. in Mississauga, Ont. Winner, mid-sized publicly traded corporation"Our organization is only as healthy as our people. Things that matter to us, matter to our employees and we demonstrate that daily through wellness, diversity and inclusion. We believe it helps us attract and retain the very best people in the industry.