Financial SMEs honoured

“These employers are showing they can compete with larger companies when it comes to creating progressive workplace benefits and forward-thinking HR policies,” says Richard Yerema, managing editor of the Canada’s Top 100 Employers project.

Excel Funds Management is a mutual fund company that is dedicated exclusively to emerging markets. It has 29 full-time employees who have access to subsidies for job-related courses and accreditation. In addition to employees’ annual vacation plan, the company also provides eight personal paid days that can be used throughout the year. There are also financial incentives such as stock options, profit sharing and $1000 bonuses to the individual chosen as employee of the month. Excel Funds Management also matches contributions made to employees’ registered retirement savings plans (RRSP).

Rogers Insurance, which has life and commercial insurance businesses, has 200 employees. The company also provides subsidies for professional accreditation and contributes to a matching RRSP plan. Rogers Insurance believes in alternative work arrangements, which include flexible hours, shortened work-weeks and a formal “earned days off” program. If you are a new employee at Rogers Insurance, you can look forward to three weeks of paid vacation after your first year on the job.

The other two financial firms are Mississauga, Ont.-based Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management Inc. and Wynward Insurance Group in Winnipeg. Both companies specialize in business insurance and offer in-house and online training programs for employees. Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management contributes to a matching RRSP plan, while Wynward Insurance Group provides a defined benefits pension plan.