Ultramar continues as one of Canada’s ‘Best Employers’
For the fourth time, Ultramar Ltd. – Valero’s Canadian subsidiary – has been named one of Canada’s 50 Best Employers.
Based largely on anonymous employee surveys, the 2009 list ranked Ultramar No. 44. More than 140 Canadian organizations participated in the 10th edition of this national survey, conducted by human resources firm Hewitt Associates. Industry results were compiled from the answers of over 115,000 Canadian employees and comments from more than 1,200 leaders and human resources professionals. The rankings are published nationally in the Toronto Globe and Mail’s “Report on Business” magazine, as well as in the French-language newspaper La Presse.
Ultramar was one of eight Quebec-based companies to receive the honor. The list also includes 25 organizations from Ontario, eight from British Columbia, five from Alberta, three from Saskatchewan, and one from Manitoba. Ten organizations appear on the Best Employers in Canada list for the first time.
“Our ranking is mostly based on the opinion of employees, which means we earned this recognition because of you,” Ultramar President Jean Bernier wrote in a Jan. 6 letter to employees. “Again this year, I wish to thank you for this sign of confidence and for the work you do every day to help Ultramar distinguish itself.”
Bernier told employees that to earn a place among the 50 Best Employers in Canada is an accomplishment in itself, but to continue to rank among the very best is even more rewarding given the increasing interest in this survey across the nation.
The “Report on Business” article, published in late December, said the overall factor used to identify and rank “Best Employers” is employee engagement, a measure of how closely leaders and employees work together toward a common vision. The vote of confidence also reflects the energy that goes into making an organization a great place to work. “Engaged employees have a bond with their employer that goes well beyond a contractual obligation to show up for work in exchange for pay and benefits,” the report stated.
Companies selected for the survey were ranked based partly on questionnaires sent to workers as well as managers and human resources professionals. About 70 percent of the companies’ final scores were based on how workers felt about their employers.
Valero CEO Bill Klesse also sent his thanks and congratulations to Ultramar employees for their dedication and support of the company.
“Ultramar is a success because of the dedication and hard work of its employees,” Klesse said. “A ranking of ‘Best Employer’ is a reflection of everyone working as a team to produce excellent results. All of our people have my thanks and appreciation!”