This year's campaign has been like no other, though, because of how the novel coronavirus has laid plain one focus for every employer: Keeping workers safe.

"Across the board, we have seen with top employers that their wellness and support programs, along with related corporate policies, have really come into their own during the pandemic," Yerema says.

One such employer is Bank of Canada, which last spring quickly implemented additional safety measures for a skeleton staff that had to remain on site, while the majority worked from home.

Besides additional cleaning of facilities, providing adequate personal protective equipment like masks and mandating health protocols such as physical distancing, the central bank's management also recognized that communication was among the most appreciated measures.

"Communicating in clear, actionable ways, including updating protocols as needed and offering health and safety sessions to on-site staff," were incredibly well-received by employees, says Alexis Corbett, managing director and chief human resources officer at Bank of Canada.

Besides supports on site, the Crown corporation also has provided enhanced assistance to the majority of its employees now working from home. That included delivering ergonomic office furniture and even developing a home health and safety checklist.

Technology giant Adobe Systems Canada Inc. also moved to a work-from-home protocol early on to protect its Ottawa members.

"We also pledged no layoffs," says Mike Scott, senior director of customer care at Adobe Customer Solutions, as well as the Ottawa site leader.

The big challenge for organizations with so many workers at home has been ensuring they feel connected to the workplace culture, considered the jewel in the crown of sought-after employers such as Adobe.

"To ensure our employees feel informed, supported and safe, we've also increased communications, hosting regular companywide town halls to hear from our executive leaders," Scott says.

These events have not been merely opportunities for management to talk to workers, but for employees to ask questions, raise concerns and, most importantly, get some answers.

Adobe engaged employees with surveys to get a sense of what it can do to support those who may be facing stresses such as caring for aging parents, a spouse out of work or children learning from home.

It also increased its sick and personal days while giving staff every third Friday off since mid-September. The company tried to infuse levity into the home office, arranging fun events so everyone still feels connected, Scott says.

"We've continued to keep our site connection strong with our virtual bi-weekly happy hours, magic shows, trivia, bingo, name that tune and much more."

Similar initiatives have been in place at Bank of Canada. Among them is "meeting-free Friday afternoons to combat online meeting fatigue and allow employees time to wrap up before the weekend, so they can better disconnect," Corbett says.

The overarching goal, she adds, has been keeping employees safe, happy and engaged. A poll taken last summer supported this idea, finding that more than eight in 10 employees felt supported during the pandemic while "90 per cent said their leader had responded to their personal situation with empathy and sensitivity."

It's that concern and focus that are helping businesses move forward during these trying times.

—Joel Schlesinger

From the official announcement magazine for the National Capital Region's Top Employers (2021), published on February 2, 2021, and featured in the Ottawa Citizen.