Diamond Schmitt Architects has been named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2016 following a national survey conducted by Mediacorp Canada Inc.

The survey involved 8,000 companies that were invited to present a comprehensive review of their operations and human resources practices, which were compared against each other by sector and region. Diamond Schmitt Architects was the only architecture firm and one of the smallest companies on the list of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, which included several of the most recognizable corporations in the country.

“It’s indeed an honour to be acknowledged by this program and to be in the presence of much larger companies, including multinational firms and even some of our clients,” said Donald Schmitt, Principal, in a press release.

“This award signifies our ongoing commitment and investment in our people, and our belief in creating a rewarding work environment,” said Lilia Kiriakou, director of human resources.

The competition focused on eight key criteria: physical workplace; work atmosphere and social; health, financial and family benefits; vacation and time off; employee communications; performance management; training and skills development; and community involvement.

The Toronto-based architectural practice received top grades for its flexible work options, team lunches, weekly office-wide design meeting, social events for staff and their families, annual employee reviews, in-house training and subsidized tuition for outside courses, weekly Lunch and Learn sessions and a commitment to community engagement.

Canada’s Top 100 Employers highlights companies with outstanding human resources programs and revolutionary workplace policies.

“This year’s Top 100 winners are influencing Canadians every day, and our goal is to document these leaders in the hope that they will inspire change for others,” said Richard Yerema, managing editor at Mediacorp Canada, in a press release.