Alberta's Top Employers is a competition that recognizes the best workplaces in Alberta. Published annually since October 2005, the designation recognizes the Alberta employers that lead their peers in providing exemplary employee benefits and forward-thinking human resource programs. The winners are chosen by the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers and announced in editorial features published annually by the Calgary Herald[1] and the Edmonton Journal.[2]
Applicants for the award are compared to other employers in their industry, using eight main criteria: (1) Physical Workplace; (2) Work Atmosphere & Social; (3) Health, Financial & Family Benefits; (4) Vacation & Time Off; (5) Employee Communications; (6) Performance Management; (7) Training & Skills Development; and (8) Community Involvement. The winning employers are the ones that offer the most progressive and forward-thinking programs. An academic advisory board, composed of four distinguished professors from across Canada, oversee the competition's selection criteria each year.[3]
Any employer with its head office or principal place of business in Alberta may apply to be considered for the award, which is made for one calendar year. The competition is open to public-sector and private-sector employers alike.[4]