Loblaw admired for its corporate culture

Loblaw Companies Limited, one of the largest private sector employers in the country, has been appointed by Waterstone Human Capital Inc., as having one of the 10 cultures most admired in a Canadian company (Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures) in 2011.

Loblaw was the only food retailer on the list,  earning the honor because of its unique approach in corporate culture and its innovative character, both of which affect the performance of the company.

“We believe a culture that values communication, learning and recognition of colleagues is a key driver of success,” explains Judy McCrie, executive vice-president human resources and labor relations for Loblaw Companies Limited. “To this end, we strive to promote a corporate culture to make our team more united, knowledgeable and dedicated. The fact that we have been recognized as one of the 10 companies with the cultures of most admired corporate tells us that we have the right approach and we will continue to foster a positive work environment for our colleagues.”

Some initiatives that helped Loblaw with this achievement include:

• Open lines of communication – including bi-annual surveys “Telling it like it is” the e-mail service “Questions to Galen” and the program “Let’s Talk“, which gives colleagues the opportunity to meet members of the senior management, are some examples. The regular general meetings and road shows, which bring together store managers and provide them with updates and frequent feedback, and the Loblaw private television network, the Business Television (ETV), allow effectively reach colleagues at all levels. The daily meetings of senior management and the staff of the stores, as well as bi-monthly newsletters, weekly e-mails, advertisements and the intranet, enabling colleagues to be aware and understand the priorities of the company, which helps create a culture to make teams more cohesive, knowledgeable and dedicated.

• Awards and Recognition – a new recognition program known as ABCD, or Beyond the sense of duty allows colleagues and customers to express their appreciation in relation to service excellence and helps strengthen the values and attitudes inherent in our culture. Loblaw, the recognition of years-of-service is also a long tradition.

• Corporate Social Responsibility – CSR is an integral part of Loblaw’s business practices and is based on five principles: respect the environment, to demonstrate integrity in procurement, make a positive difference in our community, reflect the cultural diversity of our country and be a great place to work.

Loblaw has made significant progress in CSR, whether it’s the way it has set an example by committing to source seafood only from sustainable sources by the end of 2013, or source reduction of 73 per cent of plastic bags in supermarkets, which has since 2007 prevent some 2.5-billion plastic bags from going to landfills.

The determination of the company to be a great place to work helps shape its approach based on the commitment of colleagues and creating a culture where they can thrive, feel inspired and have the tools to succeed in their workplace.

Colleagues support their community by participating in initiatives such as seasonal food drives and various other programs through the Foundation for Young President’s Choice. In 2010 alone, the Foundation contributed $ 12.6 million for various initiatives.

Loblaw also conducts numerous initiatives to reflect the cultural diversity in its product offering, in his team and the corporate culture. The kit on including Loblaw is a unique tool that helps managers and recruiters to attract and hire a diverse workforce as well as to solicit workers belonging to visible minorities, and to expand their recruitment beyond traditional channels. The company has also formed partnerships with community agencies. With new orientation programs post-employment, new colleagues the opportunity to be paired with a ‘colleague companion’ with a similar background, which allows them to feel comfortable and adapt easily to the corporate culture.

For more information about Loblaw’s commitment to social responsibility, visit www.loblaw.ca/csr.

About 10 corporate cultures Most Admired Canada

The top 10 corporate cultures in Canada’s most admired was founded and presented by Waterstone Human Capital Inc., a leading executive search firm that specializes in creating the ideal corporate identity and assessing corporate cultures. Now in its seventh year, this national program recognizes the organizations with the best corporate culture that have enabled them to improve company performance while maintaining their competitive advantage. For more information, see www.canadasmostadmired.com.

About Loblaw Companies Limited

A subsidiary of George Weston Limited, Loblaw Companies Limited is the largest food retailer in Canada and a leading provider of general merchandise, pharmaceuticals, as well as financial products and services. With over a thousand Loblaws and other franchise banners from coast-to-coast, Loblaw is one of the largest private sector employers in Canada, with over 136,000 full-time employees and part-time. The company has a strong label program, including: President’s Choice, no name and Joe FraisMD. It also offers Financial Services President’s Choice and the PC points loyalty program.