EllisDon Once Again One of Canada's Top Employers

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Jan. 4 /CNW/ - EllisDon has once again been named as one of Canada's top employers. The list of the 50 Best Employers in Canada for 2010, compiled from a study conducted by Hewitt Associates, will appear in the January issue of The Globe & Mail's Report on Business magazine. EllisDon finished in the second spot this year, marking the company's ninth consecutive placement on the list.

Data from Hewitt's 2010 Best Employers in Canada study indicates that average employee engagement across all 50 Best Employers is higher than it was a year ago - 80 per cent versus 76 percent. Even more impressive is the fact that EllisDon's engagement score is 90 percent, a full 10 points higher than the study average for all other 50 Best Employers.

According to Neil Crawford , national leader of the Hewitt study, the fact that the organizations on the list have faced the same challenges confronting almost all employers, and yet have maintained high employee productivity and commitment to organizational success, is something that will bode well for their future: "Now that the economy is starting to recover and the demand for talent is heating up again, these employers will be able to retain key people, thanks to their focus on sustaining and improving high employee engagement."

It is also interesting to note that for the last two years, the top two spots have gone to construction companies. The construction industry, like many other industries, is facing a recruitment challenge with the number of baby boomers that are set to retire in the next several years. Therefore, making the construction industry an attractive career option for younger people has never been more critical.

States Janine Szczepanowski, EllisDon's V.P. of Leadership & Entrepreneurial Development: "Having construction companies in both the first and second spot is quite an achievement and it is a testament to what companies like EllisDon and PCL have been able to do for the industry and its perception as a solid career choice on a number of levels. We have had another successful year and everyone's contribution has kept us amongst the best of the best."

About EllisDon

EllisDon is an employee-owned company delivering construction expertise and services to clients throughout the world. Completing in excess of $2 billion in new construction annually, EllisDon employs approximately 1,000 people and has a presence in North America , as well as offices in the West Indies and the United Arab Emirates . Incorporated in 1951, EllisDon has distinguished itself through its people and its innovative practices. Offering not only construction and project management but now a growing range of construction consulting services in risk management and technology, EllisDon is behind some of the most exciting and innovative projects in the world. For more information, please visit www.ellisdon.com.

About Hewitt Associates

Hewitt Associates (NYSE: HEW) provides leading organizations around the world with expert human resources consulting and outsourcing solutions to help them anticipate and solve their most complex benefits, talent, and related financial challenges. Hewitt consults with companies to design and implement a wide range of human resources, retirement, investment management, health management, compensation, and talent management strategies. As a leading outsourcing provider, Hewitt administers health care, retirement, payroll, and other HR programs to millions of employees, their families, and retirees. With a history of exceptional client service since 1940, Hewitt has offices in 33 countries, including Canadian offices in Toronto , Montreal , Vancouver , Calgary and Regina, and employs approximately 23,000 associates who are helping make the world a better place to work. For more information, please visit www.hewitt.com/canada.

For further information: Rishma Mangat, EllisDon Corporation, Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone], 89 Queensway Ave West, Suite 800, Mississauga, Ontario, L5B 2V2, www.ellisdon.com