In Canada, 99% of companies have fewer than 100 employees

In Canada, 99% of companies have fewer than 100 employees. Although the benefits of work-life initiatives and flexible work arrangements are well established in the corporate sector, little is known about the benefits and challenges of work-life initiatives in small companies. Read the following report to find out more!

November 2004

In 1999-2000, the Centre for Families, Work & Well-Being, with the generous support of the J.W. McConnell Foundation, conducted an extensive study of family-friendly practices in small businesses across Canada. Our goal was to identify the challenges of addressing work and family in small companies and to report on successful strategies that owners and managers of these companies use, not only to meet the needs of their employees, but also to enhance their overall business outcomes.

Our results indicate that small business owners take work-life initiatives seriously and see them as critical to the success of their business and to their relationship with their employees and their customers. In contrast to the perception that small companies cannot provide the flexible options that large companies do, our results indicate that small companies compare very favourably in the provision of flexibility.

We are taking this opportunity to share our findings with you so that you will be encouraged by the strategies outlined in our report and be able to use them in your own business success!