Highlighting Ottawa’s Leading Tech Employers

In Ottawa's competitive tech sector, cultivating a thriving workplace culture is key to attracting and retaining top talent. A significant measure of employee satisfaction within organizations is the Employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS), which assesses the likelihood of employees to recommend their workplace to others and to remain with the company. Invest Ottawa (IO) conducts biannual eNPS benchmarking for high-growth tech companies part of its ScaleUp Program. The latest results reveal that TryCycle, Giatec, and Fellow topped the list of "Top Tech Employers" in Ottawa.

Patricia Ip, ScaleUp Program Manager at Invest Ottawa remarked on the significance of these results, highlighting that they provide valuable insights into how these leading companies foster environments where employees not only work but also thrive and find joy in their roles. Participation in the eNPS exercise aids Ottawa ScaleUps in attracting and retaining high-performing talent, distinguishing them from competitors.

The calculation of eNPS involves a straightforward approach: employees respond to the question, "On a scale of 0 to 10, how likely are you to recommend our company as a place to work?" Responses are categorized into three groups: Promoters (scores 9-10), Passives (scores 7-8), and Detractors (scores 0-6). The eNPS score is derived by subtracting the percentage of detractors from the percentage of promoters, resulting in a possible range from -100 to +100. A score between 10-30 indicates a healthy workforce, 30-50 is considered great, and 50 or above is excellent.

This round showcased TryCycle as the top scorer with an impressive eNPS of 84 and a 100% response rate from employees. Notably, this marks the first time TryCycle has achieved this recognition. Giatec followed with a score of 77, and Fellow rounded out the top three with a score of 67, marking the third time both Giatec and Fellow have been recognized in this way.

Leaders from these top companies shared their perspectives on fostering high employee satisfaction and retention. Kelly Gregoire, Chief Operating Officer at TryCycle, emphasized that being recognized for their employee culture reflects the dedication of their team and the unique mission they uphold. She noted the importance of attracting individuals who align with their vision, contributing to their organizational strength.

Dani Taylor, Human Resources Generalist at Giatec, stressed that an exceptional employee experience is critical for attracting and retaining talent. From recruitment onwards, Giatec focuses on making every interaction positive and emphasizes purpose-driven work, helping employees understand how their contributions influence the company's broader goals and the construction industry.

Aydin Mirzaee, CEO and Co-Founder of Fellow, echoed similar sentiments, asserting that the foundation of a successful company lies in the talent it attracts. He stated that establishing a great workplace environment is essential for bringing in top-tier talent who are eager to contribute.

Through the insights provided by these leading organizations, it is evident that a strong workplace culture is fundamental to attracting and retaining talent in Ottawa's tech sector. The ScaleUp Program by Invest Ottawa plays a crucial role in supporting companies to build such enriching environments.