Gallery: The 10 best to work for
When it comes to finding a job after the age of 40, priorities change. The following businesses are Canada's leaders in creating special programs and benefits of interest to employees aged 40 years and older.
British Columbia Lottery Corp., Kamloops, B.C. Gambling industries; 730 employees; average age: 42. Promotes employee wellness with free memberships to onsite fitness facility. Also has secure bicycle parking and healthy cafeteria options.
Ontario Public Service, Toronto. General government support; 67,339 employees; average age: 45. Offers flexible hours, telecommuting, job sharing and job trading as well as phased-in retirement options depending on the position.
Royal Bank of Canada, Toronto. Commercial banking; 52,500 employees; average age: 41. Encourages employee development through in-house and online training. Also offers career planning services, subsidies for professional association memberships and financial bonuses for certain professional accreditations.John Morstad/The Globe and Mail
Business Development Bank of Canada, Montreal. Non-depository credit intermediation; 1,685 employees; average age: 43. Helps employees plan for retirement with matching RRSP contributions up to 3.9 per cent of salary. Also has a defined benefit pension plan and a health plan that extends into retirement with no age limit.
CH2M HILL Canada Ltd., Toronto. Environmental consulting services; 1,079 employees; average age: 44. Actively recruits experienced employees and considers previous work experience when establishing vacation entitlements.
Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Ottawa. National security; 2,449 employees; average age: 41. Offers relocation support services, from a guaranteed home sale program to language training for spouses.
PCL Constructors Inc., Edmonton. Commercial and institutional building construction; 2,066 employees; average age: 42. Adheres to a “promote from within” strategy; all senior managers are long-time employees.
9. Saskatchewan Government Insurance, Regina. Direct property and casualty insurance; 1,699 employees; average age: 43. Provides employees with an interest-free loan (up to $3,000) toward the purchase of a new home computer.