Business is a dynamic! Although the bottom line continues as the driving force, there are always changes, new strategies, reboots and updates. In Edmonton, now more than ever, people are the linchpin of a business’ success. They are the factors that create and maintain the atmosphere and opportunities for workplace excellence.
It’s undisputable! Great companies are built by great teams. Helping people do their best work is crucial for building a truly great place to work. However, it can be challenging to build a team of people from different backgrounds, harness their unique strengths and deliver outcomes in ways where every employee feels valued, connected and inspired.
Edmonton businesses are proving that workplace excellence is critical.
“We represent employers with more than 200,000 employees, and the message is remarkably consistent,” says Doug Griffiths, president and CEO of the Edmonton Chamber. “Great workplaces are built on clear leadership, strong communication and real investment in people. It means opportunities to grow, flexible approaches to how work gets done and cultures where people feel trusted and respected. The best employers understand that productivity and well-being rise together.”
He admits a generational difference about how workplace excellence is defined.
“Our State of the Economy report tracks more than 80 economic and labour indicators across the Edmonton region and shows a workforce that is more educated, more mobile and more selective about where and how they work.
“Younger workers are entering the labour market with higher levels of post-secondary education and very different expectations around flexibility, mental health and purpose. They are also more willing to move between employers when those expectations are not met.
“Traditionally, older generations built careers around stability and long-term progression. Today’s strongest workplaces are the ones designed to serve multiple generations at once. The desire for respect, growth and meaningful work is a constant among all ages.”
The makings of a great place to work are a recurring focus of many business surveys. Employee recognition. Work-life balance, opportunities for advancement, a culture of respect and survey scoring factors: would employees recommend their employer? Do they feel the company values their input? Does the company foster collaboration?
Great places to work prioritize the employee experience, well-being and a healthy work-life balance, and workplace excellence relies heavily on corporate culture and leadership of purpose and values.
“Open communication and employee recognition are foundational,” Griffiths notes. “Clear communication builds trust and alignment. Recognition builds motivation and loyalty. When employees understand the direction of the business and feel genuinely valued for their contributions, performance improves across the organization.”
Workplace excellence surveys show that employees do their best work when they feel empowered and have a sense of autonomy. Also, that the workplace wants, needs and expectations of employees undisputably impact factors like absenteeism, productivity, recruitment and retention.
“Workplace excellence has moved beyond annual engagement surveys, performance reviews and basic turnover metrics,” explains Janine Hill, managing partner of Humanis Executive Search.
“There is real-time employee feedback, like pulse surveys and engagement tools that measure trust in leadership, alignment to purpose and the overall employee experience. In the Edmonton workplace, employee well-being and mental health focus on things like burnout indicators, workload sustainability, benefit utilization and an overall sense of belonging and inclusion.
She points out that, until recently, workplace excellence was about engagement scores and perks.
“Today it’s much more human and direct. Do I feel safe, supported, aligned, able to do great work and still have a life?”
According to the 2025 Alberta’s Top Employers survey, the annual competition which recognizes the Alberta employers offering exceptional workplaces, some of the best companies to work for in Edmonton include:
- Alberta Innovates
- MacEwan University
- PCL Construction
- Champion Petfoods
- Alberta Health Services
- Stantec
- CASA Mental Health
- ATCO Group
- Gilead Sciences (Alberta)
- Silvacom Ltd.
- Alberta Teachers’ Association
- NAIT
- Aquatera Utilities
- Edmonton Regional Airports Authority
“One aspect for achieving workplace excellence is having a purpose driven organization where goals are clearly communicated,” says Kari Bilyk, vice president, people and culture with Alberta Innovates. “Workplace culture, communication, employee development and our physical environment are some of the features that impact workplace excellence at Alberta Innovates.
“While many of our team members are focused on their own specific areas of research, there is inclusion where people and new ideas are welcome. Workplace excellence is about creating an environment where everyone feels they belong and have the resources, flexibility and opportunities to thrive.”
She mentions that Alberta Innovates engages team members via its employee e-newsletter, virtual town halls, suggestion boxes and employee engagement surveys. It encourages ongoing learning through every level of the organization.
“Each generation has its own style of learning and working. No one way is the best. Having a multi-generational workplace where each generation has something to teach the other generations, and something to learn from them, is important. The result is a workplace where differing points of view are seen as a benefit that propels the organization forward.”
With more than 2,950 faculty and staff, MacEwan University is also an Edmonton employer that exudes workplace excellence. According to Helen Ngan-Paré, associate vice-president of human resources, “MacEwan is more than a place to work! It is a vibrant community, and our employees play a vital role in shaping student success, whether through teaching, supporting learners or ensuring campus operations run smoothly.
“We pride ourselves on a welcoming and inclusive culture that values collaboration and connection, and we offer opportunities for professional growth. Communication is the foundation of engagement. Employees who feel informed are more likely to feel connected and committed to their work.
“This sense of engagement strengthens our culture and drives collaboration across the university. Strong collaborations lead to positive student experiences.”
She adds that communication and recognition combine to create an environment where employees feel seen, heard and valued, which directly impacts productivity, morale and organizational success.
“It helps make MacEwan a great place to work!”
Griffiths underscores that workplace excellence is now one of the most decisive factors in business. The past five years or so reshaped the employer-employee relationship in lasting ways. Hybrid work, tight labour markets and rising burnout forced leaders to rethink how they attract, motivate and retain people.
Of course, compensation will always matter, but culture is what increasingly tips the scale.
“Our members tell us candidates are asking deeper questions about leadership, flexibility, career development and values,” he says. “Businesses that invest in workplace excellence are filling roles faster, retaining people longer and building stronger talent pipelines.”
Hill points out that, particularly in Edmonton, workplace excellence has become more of a priority.
“Due to tight labour markets and ongoing skill shortages, employers are evolving way beyond compensation and job security as differentiators. Workplace excellence used to be a ‘nice to have.’ After five years of labour market churn, it’s now a primary lever for attracting and retaining talent.”
