For the second year in a row, Concert has been named a BC Top Employer, which recognizes employers in British Columbia that are not only industry leaders, but have also created exceptional workplace environments.
The criteria, used by a panel of judges drawn from other progressive workplaces, was exhaustive. This included an evaluation of the company’s physical workplace, atmosphere and social environment; the health, financial, and family benefits and vacation and other paid time off; employee communication structures; performance management frameworks; opportunity for training and skills development; and community involvement.
According to long-time employee Kathy Snelling, who has been with the company for three decades, that kind of exceptional workplace environment is realized in the fact that Concert employees are deeply committed to living the company’s values:
“The reason I have been working here for 30 years is the core value of the company, building environmentally and socially sustainable communities,” says Snelling, Senior Manager, Information Systems. “I feel that the company has such a positive impact.”
This impact can be felt in the extensive community involvement that Concert consciously undertakes, a key part of our identity.
The company has long history of supporting trades training across the country. For nearly 30 years, Concert has worked with colleges, institutes and community organizations to help fund trades training programs, with more than $4.2 million in donations raised to date.
In 2021, the Concert Foundation, a charitable organization focused on giving back to the community, was officially created to support initiatives like trades training. In addition to this work, Concert also also donates staff time, funds and resources to address poverty, hunger, homelessness and cancer research.
Applicants were also asked to detail their COVID-19 procedures, protocols and support systems over the past year. Concert fared well here due to its ongoing execution of a wellness program, food drives, additional paid sick time in the case of exposure or illness, the ongoing implementation of digital initiatives designed to keep employees informed, continuously evolving safety plans to ensure a safe environment, and the development of safe recruitment and onboarding practices.
“Our tagline, Building a people-first future, reflects our core belief that communities are about so much more than just buildings,” says David Podmore, Concert’s Chair, President & CEO. “That belief translates to our workplace, too. When I say I work at Concert, I feel a lot of connection and pride.”