Exceptional People, Extraordinary Work Environments
The 2025 HR News Canada Workplace Awards celebrates organizations and individuals who transform Canadian workplaces through innovation, leadership, and a commitment to creating environments where both people and businesses thrive.
Showcasing the best workplace practices across Canada, these prestigious awards highlight those setting new standards of excellence in how we work today and shape the future of work tomorrow.
About the Awards
The HR News Canada Workplace Awards celebrates excellence in workplace practices, recognizing organizations and individuals who lead with innovation, compassion, and strategic vision to create thriving, inclusive environments where both people and businesses flourish. We honor those who transform Canadian workplaces through exceptional leadership, groundbreaking strategies, and unwavering commitment to employee well-being.
The annual awards program invites submissions from organizations, teams, and individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in workplace excellence. Nominees undergo a rigorous evaluation process by the publishers of HR News Canada, with winners announced at a virtual celebration and featured in a special digital edition of HR News Canada. Our goal is to identify, celebrate, and share the best practices in the country.
2025 Award Categories
- Executive of the Year: For a senior non-HR leader who has been instrumental in transforming their organization’s workplace practices
- HR Executive of the Year: Recognizing an HR executive (VP or CHRO level) who has driven organizational success through people strategy
- HR Professional of the Year: Recognizing a top human resources professional who has made a significant impact on their organization or the profession
- Top HR Professionals Under 40: Celebrating the next generation of accomplished HR professionals
- Workplace Culture Leadership Award: For an individual who has created or transformed their organization’s workplace culture
- Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion Leadership: Recognizing an individual with exceptional contributions to advancing DEI
- Best Talent Development Director: For an individual with outstanding approaches to talent acquisition, retention, or development
- Employee Experience Leadership Award: Recognizing someone who has designed exceptional employee experiences
- Workplace Wellness Leadership Award: For an individual who has led mental health and well-being initiatives with measurable impact
- Change Management Leadership Award: Recognizing exceptional skill in guiding organizations through transformations
- Best Use of People Analytics Award: For an individual who has leveraged data to improve workplace practices
- Lawyer of the Year: Recognizing a top labour and employment lawyer
- Canadian Workplace of the Year: The premier award for overall excellence in workplace practices
- Best Workplace Culture Award: For an organization with an exceptional workplace culture
- Best Diversity & Inclusion Program: Recognizing organizations with effective diversity and inclusion strategies
- Best Talent Acquisition Program: For organizations with effective approaches to attracting and hiring
- Best Employee Development Program: Recognizing organizations with exceptional programs for employee growth
- Best Workplace Wellness Program: For organizations with comprehensive approaches to employee well-being
- Most Innovative HR Program: Recognizing groundbreaking HR programs addressing business challenges
- Best HR Technology Implementation: For organizations effectively leveraging technology for HR functions
- Best Use of Artificial Intelligence: For organizations that have used AI to improve productivity, processes, and workload
- Best Small/Medium Enterprise Workplace: Recognizing exceptional workplace practices in SMEs under 500 employees
- Best Corporate Social Responsibility in HR: For organizations using workplace practices to create positive social impact
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the HR News Canada Workplace Awards?
The HR News Canada Workplace Awards recognize excellence in workplace practices across Canadian organizations. They celebrate individuals and teams who demonstrate outstanding leadership in creating positive, productive, and innovative work environments.
What is the purpose of these awards?
These awards are designed to celebrate great people practices, highlight innovative approaches to workplace challenges, and recognize the individuals and organizations setting new standards of excellence in Canadian workplaces.
Is there an entry fee?
No, there is no entry or nomination fee. The awards are completely free to enter. There are optional celebration packages offered to winners, but there is no requirement to purchase one to participate in the program.
Who can be nominated for these awards?
The awards are open to any Canadian organizations or employees. Nominees must be based in or working in Canada.
Can I nominate myself or my organization?
Yes, self-nominations are welcome and encouraged. You may nominate yourself for an individual award or your organization for team/organization awards.
Are there size restrictions for organizations?
No, organizations of all sizes are eligible as long as they have workers in Canada. Consideration will not be given to HR practices that are not extended to Canadian workers.
How do I submit a nomination?
Nominations can be submitted through our online portal on the HR News Canada website. The form will guide you through the information required for your submission.
What information is required for a nomination?
Nominations typically require contact information, a description of the achievement or initiative, measurable results, and supporting documentation or examples that demonstrate excellence.
When is the nomination deadline?
Nominations open on May 1, 2025, and close on Sept. 30, 2025. All submissions must be received by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date. Award winners will be announced in early November. Details TBA.
How are the winners selected?
All nominations are evaluated by a panel of independent judges with expertise in human resources, workplace culture, and organizational leadership. Judges use a standardized scoring system based on innovation, impact, and excellence.
When are winners announced?
Winners will be announced in November during a special live virtual event and celebrated in a commemorative digital edition of HR News Canada.
Is there an awards ceremony?
Yes, but in a virtual format. Winners will be featured prominently in a special awards issue of HR News Canada and will receive digital badges and physical award trophies shipped directly to them after the live virtual event.
What do winners receive?
All winners receive a a feature profile in HR News Canada, and recognition on our website and social media channels. Winners who select the optional package will receive a physical award trophy along with digital badges for use in marketing and communications.
How can winning benefit my organization?
Winning organizations gain significant recognition as workplace leaders, which can enhance employer branding, aid in talent attraction and retention, and demonstrate commitment to excellence in people practices to clients and stakeholders.
Can I sponsor the awards?
Yes! We have custom packages available to suit a variety of budgets and needs. Contact Todd Humber, publisher of HR News Canada, at 289-264-4883 or [email protected].
