Now in its 5th year, Canada's Top Small & Medium Employers is an editorial competition that recognizes the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that offer the nation's best workplaces and forward-thinking human resources policies. Canada's SME sector is tremendously important to the nation and is responsible for: over half of the nation's gross domestic product; over 90% of the private-sector labour force; and over 95% of the new jobs created in the past decade.
Selection Process
Employers are evaluated by the editors of Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employers using the same eight criteria as their national competition:
- Physical Workplace
- Work Atmosphere & Social
- Health, Financial & Family Benefits
- Vacation & Time Off
- Employee Communications
- Performance Management
- Training & Skills Development
- Community Involvement
Instilling a companywide team philosophy has always been at the heart of COLE. Our team is our number one asset with our members coming from around the world, bringing unique and diverse attributes with them. Empowering our team members to grow in their positions, take on challenges, create best practices and develop long lasting working relationships is essential to sustaining a motivating environment. At COLE, we are an equal opportunity employer who strives to ensure fair, consistent and above industry average compensation packages.
Here are a few of the reasons why COLE was selected as one of Canada's Top Small & Medium Employers (2018):
- Along with matching RSP contributions, COLE offers a number of financial benefits including a share purchase plan, available to all employees, signing bonuses for some employees and referral bonuses of up to $3,000
- COLE encourages employees to adopt healthy habits with free access to an onsite fitness facility and a dedicated wellness room with chiropractor, massage therapist and osteopathy services -- the company also organizes an annual wellness fair.