Best Workplaces in Canada
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the timeline for the selection process?
Nominations for the "Best Workplaces in Canada" list are accepted on an on-going basis. However, for an organization to be considered for the next calendar year's list, the nomination must be received by the end of October of the previous calendar year and the Trust Index© Employee Survey and Culture Audit© must be completed by mid November (Nominations for the 2011 list, for instance, need to be submitted by October 31, 2010).
I am interested in participating in the list process but I don’t think we are ready to be considered for the list yet. What actions can I take to improve my workplace?
Organizations have the option to be surveyed without participating in the list competition. You will undergo the exact same process of a list participant and will be able to choose the level of feedback that you want to receive. By comparing your participation results to the provided Best Workplaces benchmark, you will be able to identify your strengths and weaknesses and determine the required actions to improve your workplace.
In addition to public recognition what other advantages do I get from being a Great Workplace?
Independent studies have proved that companies selected as Best Workplaces according to Great Place to Work® Institute’s Model© consistently outperform their competitors. This means that by creating a better workplace you will be directly impacting the bottom line results of your company.
Is there a cost to participate?
If your survey is 100% online and you just want to join in the list competition there is no cost to participate (deadline for free participation is August 30). If you want to harvest the benefits of creating a better workplace you can choose one of the optional reports available to survey participants.
When do I find out if we made the list?
In April, the Great Place to Work® Institute of Canada will publish its annual list of Best Workplaces in Canada in a Special National Report in The Globe and Mail. If your organization has made the list, your primary contact will be notified confidentially in early February; however, the news cannot be shared with employees or the public until the list publication date.
What if we don’t make the list?
We do not release the name of any organization or company that participates and does not make the list. This is strictly confidential information. We strive to provide only positive recognition.
Do you ever give our information to a third party?
No, we do not share an organization’s data with third parties. Great Place to Work® Institute does combine data from all organizations on the list to create benchmarks and for research on workplace issues. In addition, if your organization makes the list, and The Globe and Mail wants to feature your organization in the list issue, we will ask you before we share your information with them.
How can you compare organizations of different sizes and in different sectors, and get a usable result?
Our trust-based evaluation model is universal, focusing on fundamental relationships in the workplace. Our research shows that the model predicts employee perceptions of great workplaces, and organizational performance, across all types of organizations in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. We have applied the model in 40 countries worldwide to know that we get usable results.
Is the survey on-line or paper based?
It can be on-line, paper, or a combination of both. Starting in 2010, our list will be 100% green. This means that there will be a $5 nominal fee for each paper survey distributed. All proceedings will be used to offset the carbon footprint of your survey.
How many employees have to fill out questionnaires?
All organizations will be able to survey 100% of their employees on-line at no cost. If you have more than 500 employees, you will have the option to survey just a sample of your population. The exact number will vary depending on the size of your organization. For example, if your organization has 1000 employees, we would survey approximately 600; if 10,000 employees, we would survey about 750 employees.
What response rate do we need on the employee survey?
We aim for an 90% (or better) confidence level with a +/- 5 margin of error. The exact number of responses required will depend on the size of your organization. Please contact the Best Workplaces Team to find out the exact number of responses required for your organization.
How do we ensure an adequate response rate?
It is your responsibility to inform your employees about the list process. We will work with you to make sure that employees receive the necessary communication, both prior to and during the survey, to ensure adequate response rates. If the response rate is low, we may ask for additional (randomly selected) employees to survey. We will work with you to get the best possible results.
What is the advantage of surveying all of our employees?
Some organizations wish to receive Feedback Reports for their departments, branches, stores, sites or any other customized characteristic of their workplace. The only way we can provide this is by enlarging the sample size. Please contact the Best Workplaces Team for more information.
Is it up to the participating organization to pick employees? Do you provide us with any guidance?
We provide you with guidance and specific instructions for selecting the random sample. A successful employee survey process requires an up-to-date employee contact list, including accurate e-mails if you are doing an on-line survey. It is your responsibility to make sure the employee contact list and e-mails are current. We will need someone at your organization to strictly follow our guidelines for selecting the employee sample.
How do you ensure that participating organizations do not hand out questionnaires to the most satisfied employees?
We have a checklist that you will sign that states that you have included all employees (from the CEO or President to the last hire) on your list of potential participants and that you have chosen a random sample from this list. We provide direction on how to create this random sample. We also reserve the right to audit the employees selected to participate in the survey to assure that all rules have been followed.
What if some of our employees don’t speak English or can’t read?
We provide surveys in both English and French. If employees are unable to read either of these languages, we suggest that another employee or a family member help them complete the questionnaire.
What if some of our employees don’t have access to a computer?
There are a number of ways of distributing paper copies of the questionnaire, such as attaching it to a newsletter or pay cheque, along with a stamped return envelope, or providing time for employees to come (either individually or as a group) to a specified site to fill it out. We will work with you to find the best approach.
Do temporary/contractual/seasonal workers and student interns fill out questionnaires too?
No, temporary/contractual/seasonal workers and student interns do not fill out the questionnaire. Only continuing employees are eligible. If you wish to have access to these workers’ opinion we can arrange it at no extra cost (if these employees are surveyed on-line). Their opinion will be included in your reports but will be disregarded for the Best Workplaces competition.
Do part-time employees fill out questionnaires too?
Yes, continuing part-timers do fill out the questionnaires.
Do management and CEOs take part in the employee survey?
Yes, if they happen to be randomly selected. They are employees too!
What about the employees who joined our organization very recently, even yesterday? Do they have to fill out a questionnaire?
Yes, if they happen to be randomly selected. We do not use length of service to determine whether an employee can participate in the survey. From the first day of work, and even sometimes before, a new employee has an experience at your workplace.
