Employment

10 best workplaces for women in Ontario

As a woman, choosing the right workplace can be tricky, and you don’t always know what to expect. 

Great Place to Work compiled a list of the best places for women to work in Canada to simplify that decision-making process.

In order to qualify, a workplace must have been Great Place to Work-Certified™ in the past year. It also needs to have a minimum of 15 female employees and “at least 90 [per cent] of employees must agree that people are treated fairly, regardless of their gender,” according to their website.

Great Place to Work also specified that “creating great workplaces for women isn’t political or trendy, and it’s not a women’s issue. It’s a business issue.”

Here are the 10 best workplaces for women in Ontario. 

Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc. 

Markham’s Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc. is the first Japanese pharmaceutical company in the country. The company’s vision is to turn innovative science into value for patients. According to Great Place to Work, Astellas “specializes in developing and delivering medicines that help extend and improve the lives of people living with cancer, urinary incontinence and lifesaving organ transplants.”

Company perks:

  • Paid volunteerism (employees receive up to six paid volunteer days annually)
  • Employee development events
  • Extra time off (extended holiday office closure, statutory holidays and supplemental days off)

Borrowell 

Based in Toronto, Borrowell works to ensure financial stability for all Canadians. The company provides access to credit education, digital tools and personalized experiences. 

Company perks:

  • Professional development (employees can take industry/career-relevant courses and programs paid for by the company)
  • Team building exercises (games, employee spotlight, etc.)
  • Ambassador program (company events)

Ciena 

Ciena is a global supplier of telecommunications networking equipment, software and services. Located in Ottawa, Ciena supports approximately 1,800 of the world’s largest networks. In fact, it provides the internet infrastructure needed to enable broadcasting, video and music streaming, and voice and video communication, according to Great Place to Work.

Company perks:

  • Flexible working and paid time off
  • Pride@Ciena (company community that supports LGBTQ+ employees and their families)
  • CienaCares (community engagement program)

Cisco 

With approximately 2,000 Canadian employees, Cisco helps strengthen the country’s communication. The company’s Canadian headquarters are in Toronto. Cisco provides hardware, software and service offerings to deliver efficient access to information anywhere.

Company perks:

  • Emergency time off
  • Time2give (employees can have five days of paid time off to volunteer at a non-profit organization or school)
  • Surrogacy Reimbursement Program (reimbursement of up to $20,000 for expenses related to surrogacy)

DHL Express (Canada), Ltd.

DHL, with its Canadian headquarters based in Brampton, caters to more than 220 countries and territories. The fast, door-to-door courier company offers logistics for all logistic needs.

Company perks:

  • Telemedicine and virtual clinics
  • Long service awards (employees who have worked for five to 45 years receive recognition at DHL Canada’s regular town hall meetings)
  • UpStairs Scholarship Program (employees’ children can receive a grant of scholarships for post-secondary school valued at $8,000)

Ian Martin

Ian Martin, based in Oakville, specialises in engineering, information technology recruitment and contact management. The company is committed to helping organizations hire more effectively. 

Company perks:

  • Onsite gym at headquarters
  • Charitable donation matching (the company matches employee donations until a maximum of $10,000 is reached in a fiscal year)
  • $250 holiday gift allowance
Photo by ThisIsEngineering

Indeed Canada Corp 

Indeed is the number one job site in the world. The company’s Canadian headquarters are located in Toronto. Indeed allows job seekers to search millions of listings online in more than 60 countries and 28 languages.

Company perks:

  • Indeed Wellness Program (promotes healthy living among employees through challenges and customized wellness plans)
  • Indeed Inclusion Resource Groups (employee-led groups that cultivate an inclusive workplace where everyone feels safe)
  • Indeed ambassadors (volunteer work and fundraising)

Pilot Coffee Roasters 

Pilot Coffee Roasters is a Toronto-based coffee roaster, retailer and wholesaler. The company operates seven of its own retail locations in the city. It also has wholesale partnerships throughout the country.

Company perks:

  • People of Pilot Appreciation Award (recognizes employees who display behaviours that keep in line with Pilot’s values and culture) 
  • Health and Wellness Program (events, workshops, challenges, insurance plans, etc.)
  • Employee-created learning and development materials (bi-weekly micro-training sessions)

Simply Green Home Services Inc. 

Simply Green Home Services provides home comfort equipment and financing solutions to customers. The North York-based company keeps homes and businesses comfortable with eco-friendly, energy-efficient HVAC systems.

Company perks:

  • Quarterly team celebrations (scavenger hunts, Christmas parties, Thanksgiving lunches, etc.)
  • Company-wide recognition (public displays of appreciation through emails, town hall mentions and an annual awards ceremony)
  • Professional development opportunities (structured training program)

Wavemaker Canada ULC

Wavemaker Canada services more than 60 clients. The media network has its Canadian headquarters in Toronto. Wavemaker Canada encourages growth for its clients by reshaping consumer decision-making through media, content and technology.

Company perks:

  • Online training
  • Agile work (flexible work arrangement policy which allows employees to create an effective work/life balance)
  • Health and wellness (employees receive a benefit between $400 to $1,000 annually)

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