The best employers talk the talk and walk the walk when it comes to work-life balance.
The 2024 list of 'Canada's best employers' by business magazine Forbes shows that 69% of employees site work-life balance a top consideration in taking or sticking with a job, the highest percentage it's ever been.
The only item more important to workers, at 71%, is a competitive salary and benefits.
Work-life balance means exactly that -- your work and life are in harmony so that you are happy and productive on the job, but you also have separation from work to enjoy your life, family, friends and recreation.
While work-life balance has been in the lexicon for decades, but it's taken on increased importance since the pandemic as employees demand better conditions, flexibility and remote work options.
Thus, the best employers nowadays have to offer good pay and benefits, work-life balance, gender pay equity, opportunities for promotion and on-the-job training to attract and retain the best employees.
The Forbes list, in conjunction with market research firm Statista, collected data from 40,000 people working for Canadian companies with 500 or more employees.
Each category was assigned points and the companies and organizations with the most points were ranked No. 1 through No. 300.
Okanagan College, which has campuses in Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon and Salmon Arm, ranked No. 21.
A total of 57 other companies and organizations that have locations or operations in the Okanagan also made the list.
They are:
11. Canadian Mental Health Association
13. The Keg Steakhouse
14. Western Financial Group
25. BC Hydro
27. Princess Auto
various rankings. Toyota, Honda, VW and General Motors
34. Fortis
35. WorkSafeBC
46. Marriott Hotels
56. Lululemon
74. University of British Columbia
80. Co-operators Insurance
103. Business Development Bank of Canada
105. Foot Locker
110. Royal LePage
113. Sephora
120. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Summerland Research Station)
121. Revenue Canada
123. Costco
126. Royal Bank
140. Purolator
147. Wawanesa Insurance
151. Service Canada
158. Coca-Cola
163. Aritzia
165. Sun Life Financial
170. National Bank of Canada
173. CIBC
179. Shell
185. Air Canada
192. Home Hardware
202. Canada Life
203. Canadian Brewhouse
204. TD Bank
206. Gordon Food Service
209. Farm Credit Canada
218. Commissionaires
226. BCAA
235. MNP accountants and consultants
236. FedEx
242. DHL Logistics
248. ReMax
249. WestJet
251. Cactus Club Cafe
254. American Eagle Outfitters
261. Manulife
267. PCL Construction
278. Canadian Blood Services
283. Best Western Hotels
287. Earls Restaurants
289. Canadian Red Cross
291. Pharmasave
292. Moxies Restaurants
299. Landmark Cinemas
The top 10 are:
1. Herseys Canada
2. Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
3. Brock University
4. Elections Canada
5. Concordia University
6. Government of Prince Edward Island
7. Hydro-Quebec
8. Workplace Safety & Insurance Board
9. Parks Canada
10. Fisheries & Oceans Canada
