ADP Canada supports entrepreneurs by providing them with the tools and expertise needed to succeed during Small Business Month.Supplied
In most companies, human resources is a department that supports the business of the larger organization. But for ADP Canada, it is the business of the organization. That’s what makes the Toronto-headquartered HR and payroll solutions provider so effective at retaining employees, according to its vice-president of people and culture, Andrea Wynter.
“Everyone here understands the importance of HR, and I don’t have to convince anyone why people are important,” she says. “As a people-first organization, we prioritize employee well-being, growth and overall experience. That is a core part of our strategy, as opposed to a by-product.”
One result is that the average employee tenure at ADP — which operates seven offices nationwide — is an impressive 12 years. “We just celebrated two individuals who have been here for 50,” says Wynter, who’s been there for 19 herself. “People can build a long career here because of the support we provide.”
That support includes a range of employee development, leadership and mentorship programs, as well as educational assistance.
“Every year, we do a career growth summit where we feature external and internal speakers and workshops over a period of four weeks,” Wynter says. “We also have a plethora of leadership training programs and embedded in them is a values-driven model that teaches leaders how to build trust and belonging.”
Isabelle Caleca is a client services manager at ADP Canada who appreciates the support she received to complete a leadership program for women at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. “Through the tuition reimbursement program, I was able to accomplish that without feeling a big financial burden,” she says.
Caleca has also taken a number of courses at ADP. “There are great instructor-led leadership courses and we have all-day training sessions and growth opportunities at all levels,” she says. “When I started at ADP, I had a great mentorship with one of our directors, and through that I was able to move into a permanent position as a manager.”
ADP’s support for employee health and wellness includes access to medical care through the online provider Maple. “If you’re not able to find a family doctor, you can book an appointment with a physician on standby,” Caleca says. “We also have a lot of mental health benefits.”
“We definitely prioritize well-being,” says Wynter. “And we know that if you want to ensure the well-being of your employees, it’s important that you think of them as an individual at home as well as at work. So, we build the importance of wellness into our leadership programs. The idea is to give people the tools, the knowledge and the understanding so they can make good decisions.”
At ADP Canada, inclusion and belonging are important aspects of well-being. “Our message to employees is that they belong here, no matter who they are, where they’re from or what their orientation is,” says Wynter. “We have benefits around gender affirmation, and if someone is transitioning, we talk openly about it because it’s important that they know they belong. Inclusion is just in the fabric here.”
Caleca agrees. “I’ve worked for other companies, and it was a culture shift coming here, in the best way possible,” she says. “I think all the opportunities and advice that ADP Canada has given me have helped me to grow as a person, not just within the walls of work but outside it as well, and I’m so appreciative of that.”
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Advertising feature produced by Canada’s Top 100 Employers, a division of Mediacorp Canada Inc. The Globe and Mail’s editorial department was not involved.
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