Workplace Institute announces winners of 2011 Best Employers Awards for 50-Plus Canadians

Toronto, Ontario, February 25, 2011 – The Workplace Institute today announced that three companies have earned the Best Employers Award for 50-Plus Canadians™ for 2011.

“It’s no surprise that these organizations won the award,” says award founder Barbara Jaworski, CEO of the Workplace Institute and author of KAA-BOOM! How to Engage the 50-Plus Worker and Beat the Workforce Crisis. “They actively seek employee feedback and create strategies, policies and programs to better meet the needs of all their employees, and especially their mature workers. These companies are leading the fight against ageism and, as a result, have created open, diverse and inclusive corporate cultures that deserve recognition.”

The winners are:

Bethany Care Society. One of Western Canada’s largest not-for-profit providers of health, housing and support for seniors and persons with disabilities, Bethany Care Society is a second-time winner of this award. Bethany has continued to focus on the needs of current and potential 50-plus workers, now more than a third of its workforce.

Catholic Children’s Aid Society (CCAS) of Toronto. One of Canada’s largest child protection agencies. CCAS has now won this award five times for its comprehensive approach to wellness and work-life balance for 50-plus workers and for their excellent recognition program. CCAS continues to be a leader in retirement, benefits and health practices.

Walmart Canada. Another repeat winner of the Best Employer Award for 50-plus Canadians. Their Progressive Retirement Services initiative offers flexible work options to meet both employee personal needs and the company’s business needs. Wal-Mart has exceptional hiring and recognition programs and a workplace culture that supports diversity.

The winners were selected by independent judges who assessed applicants in the areas of career development, retention, recruitment, workplace culture/practices, benefits, management practices, health support, retirement/retiree practices, pension and/or recognition.

This is the sixth year that the Workplace Institute has operated The Best Employers Award for 50-Plus Canadians™.

The judges for this year’s awards were: