Learn About the Best Small and Medium Employer (BSME) Survey

Becoming a Top Best Small and Medium Employer is a very detailed and competitive process.  This national awards program recognizes top employers with between fifty and 400 employees. This study mirrors the renowned Best Employer in Canada initiative run by partner, Hewitt Associates; however, caters to smaller businesses.
 
The rankings are primarily determined using the results from Employee Opinion Surveys.  Here, twenty-one key engagement drivers are detailed and analyzed.  The evaluation process also includes the assessment of organization practices and perspectives from the leadership team.  This year, more than 200 companies across Canada registered to participate in the study.
 
What is Engagement?
Engagement is a measurable state of emotional and intellectual involvement and commitment of the workforce to organizational success.
 
What is an Engaged Employee?
An engaged employee is one who willingly self-describes him/herself as exhibiting three key sets of behaviours.
 
Best Employers – those with highly engaged employees – have people on board who, according to the measurements taken:
 
Speak positively about the organization to co-workers, potential employees and customers. We call this the "say element."
 
Have an intense desire to be part of the organization. We call this the "stay element."
 
Exert extra effort and are dedicated to doing the very best job possible to contribute to the organization’s business success. We call this the "strive element."
 
About the Survey
The BSME survey evolved out of more than thirty years of organizational survey experience.
 
GEF’s 2011 Engagement Score
Overall Engagement Score 82%
Increased 3% from 2010 and beat the average of 70%
 
Drivers
Corporate Social Responsibility 92%
Increased 4% and surpassed the average of 83%

Intrinsic Motivation 91%
Well above the average of 77%
 
Organizational Reputation 82%
Increased 6% and above the average of 68%
 
Employee Recognition 71%
Up by 4% and 31% more than the average
 
Resources to do a good job 87%
Beat the average by 38%
 
Senior Leadership 89%
Remained strong with a 2% gain and surpassed the average of 73%