Canada - The 23rd edition of Canada's Top 100 Employers has recognized CN and CP among the employers "with exceptional human resources programs and forward-thinking workplace policies," reported employment periodical publisher Mediacorp Canada, which produces the annual list.
 
Editors at Mediacorp grade employers on eight criteria: (1) physical workplace, (2) work atmosphere and social, (3) health, financial, and family benefits, (4) vacation and time off, (5) employee communications, (6) performance management, (7) training and skills development, and (8) community involvement.
 
Any employer with its head office or principal place of business in Canada may apply for the national competition, and private or public sector employers of any size are eligible, according to Mediacorp.
 
Among the Reasons Why Mediacorp Selected CN
 
"Developed with employee feedback, CN has developed a formal framework that lets employees design flexible work options in keeping with their roles, and when working onsite at the downtown Montreal head office, employees can take advantage of a number of amenities, including free access to an on-site fitness center, employee lounges and bistros, training rooms, and even an on-site daycare center."
 
"CN operates the impressive employee and pensioner-run Community Fund, which has raised more than $18 million over the past decade for Canadian charities supporting health and research, community well-being, children and humanitarian aid concerns, and also manages the Stronger Communities Fund, donating over $14 million in support of children's hospitals, universities, youth organizations, shelters, food banks, environmental action groups, and hundreds of other community partners."
 
"CN cultivates an ownership mentality through a share purchase plan, available to all employees, and helps employees plan for life after work with retirement planning assistance services as well as offering the security of a defined benefit pension plan."
 

A CP freight train - Date? Photographer? - CN.

Among the Reasons Why Mediacorp Selected CP
 
"CP offers opportunities for ongoing employee development including in-house apprenticeships (rail car and diesel mechanic roles), tuition subsidies for courses taken at external institutions (up to $5,000), mentoring and leadership development programs."
 
"CP recognizes individual and collective contributions to the company through annual CEO Awards of Excellence and celebrates community heroes and operational excellence through dedicated Terminal of the Year and Railroader of the Year awards (recipients are treated to a weekend getaway in Palm Beach, Florida, and are celebrated at a black-tie gala)."
 
"CP matches 100 percent of all employee donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or the American Heart Association as part of its charitable program, CP Has Heart, which focuses on improving the heart health of adults and children across North America, the initiative has raised over $29 million since the program's inception."
 
Marybeth Luczak.