
Congratulations to the 2016 Employers of Distinction - Anaconda Mining and Newfoundland Power and the 2016 Path of Distinction Winner Stella's Cirlce!
Employers of Distinction demonstrate leadership in the community, productivity and innovation, and a fundamental belief in the value of a healthy, safe, and motivated workforce.
An Employer of Distinction doesn’t just succeed. An Employer of Distinction views its employees and the community in which it operates as vital to that success.
Anaconda Mining is a gold mining and exploration company in NL, operating the Point Rousse Project and three exploration/development projects: the Viking and Great Northern Projects, and the Tilt Cove Property. Anaconda Mining uses innovative practices in order to adapt and thrive in a changing marketplace. In 2016 they started an Aggregates Project, which generates revenue by taking waste rock by-product and shipping it to the United States as material for large infrastructure projects. Employees are encouraged to further this innovative spirit through the 5S Competition (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize and Sustain), allowing employees to submit innovative ideas or process changes and compete in monthly contests. Anaconda Mining exhibits a strong community presence with their monthly Employee Service Recognition Award. Each month a selected employee chooses a community organization to receive a $200 donation. In 2016 they also donated $50,000 to the Rotary Hope Air Gala, $25,000 for infrastructure upgrades to the Baie Verte Regional pool, and a $5,000 in-kind donation to the “We Remember” initiative with the Golden Tulip, which raised $45,000.
Newfoundland Power Inc. operates an integrated electricity generation, transmission and distribution system and has provided electricity for over 130 years. In 2016, Newfoundland Power recorded its second best year in history for outage duration, and its best year on record for outage frequency. Due to their long history, they have a strong, unique culture and many long tenured employees. In some cases, there are generations of families who have worked at Newfoundland Power. In 2016, they introduced the “Working Mind” Program, designed to improve mental health in the workplace and reduce stigma. They recognize the value of a healthy workforce, providing many health related programs, and having an Occupational Health and Safety Nurse and an Employee Assistance Coordinator on staff. Newfoundland Power provided nearly $600,000 in support to the local community in 2016. Employees dedicated over 1,400 volunteer hours to support health care, education, arts and community development. Newfoundland Power’s takeCharge program helped costumers save 25.2 GWh of energy in 2016, which is enough electricity to power Times Square and the surrounding Theater District for a week.
Stella’s Circle is a not-for-profit organization with 125 staff and an $8.2 million budget. Their 1000 participants face many barriers including mental health issues, addictions, homelessness, poverty, criminal justice involvement and long periods of unemployment. They aid these participants in three core areas: housing, through emergency shelters and their 78 units of affordable housing; counselling services; and training and employment programs, such as the Hungry Heart Cafe. In 2016 Clean Start was created as a new social enterprise to train 90 underutilized workers to professionally clean. Once they gain their appropriate skills, they will be able to work alone on various contracts. In 2016, they launched a wellness program called “Active in my Wellness,” which encouraged employee tracking of activities that contributed to their physical, mental and spiritual wellness. Prizes were awarded at 100 and 200 hour increments. Their newly created Inclusion Choir aims to improve mental health through singing. This volunteer choir practices weekly and takes part in a variety of community events singing messages of hope, social justice and housing.
Media Coverage
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News Items
Ten employers shortlisted for the Employer of Distinction Awards
Employer of Distinction AwardsLatest NewsMarch 13, 2017
Join the Employers’ Council at our Employer of Distinction Awards Luncheon & Reception on Monday, March 20th at the Sheraton Hotel to celebrate the 10 outstanding [...]
Federal Minister Judy Foote gives keynote at NLEC Employer of Distinction Awards
The NL Employers’ Council honoured Petroforma Laboratories and College of the North Atlantic at the 2015 Employer of Distinction Awards Luncheon & Reception Monday at the [...]
Worley Parsons and Technip named 2014 Employers of Distinction
Employer of Distinction AwardsApril 27, 2015
The Newfoundland & Labrador Employers’ Council (NLEC) awarded the Employer of Distinction Awards for 2014 to Worley Parsons and Technip on April 27th in St. John’s [...]
Federal Minister of Employment Jason Kenney to speak at Employer of Distinction Awards Feb 14th
The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development & Minister responsible for Multiculturalism, will be the Keynote speaker at this year’s Employer [...]
Dynamic Air Shelters & Marine Atlantic named Employers of Distinction for 2013
Employer of Distinction AwardsFebruary 14, 2013
Dynamic Air Shelters and Marine Atlantic were named the 2013 NLEC Employers of Distinction on Friday, February 14th. Kay Riggs, Vice-President accepted on behalf of Dynamic Air [...]
2010 Employers of Distinction
Employer of Distinction AwardsFebruary 28, 2011
Nearly 200 business leaders attended the Employer of Distinction awards luncheon Friday at the Sheraton Hotel in St. John’s, where the Iron Ore Company Canada (IOC) – [...]