Clark Builders

Imagine seeing the fruits of your labour every morning on your way to work. Imagine standing inside a building that you helped create. That’s the kind of job satisfaction Clark Builders employees experience every day.

Clark Builders is a contracting company that builds commercial, high-rise residential and industrial structures in Calgary and the surrounding area, such as the Sovereign Centre on Macleod Trail and Cambrian Executive Place in Bowness. But the success of the company is not just about the buildings it creates. Clark has always followed the corporate philosophy that the success of the company begins with high employee morale.

“The work is stressful, but the coming to work certainly isn’t,” says Carla Whitehead, a project manager at Clark. “We work hard and we laugh hard. We have a lot of fun.”

All Clark employees can participate in a slew of company activities throughout the year, including golf tournaments, a Stampede breakfast and even a moustache-growing competition — all to raise money for local charities.

Everything is fair game. If someone is willing to organize it, Clark will make it happen. The company has more than doubled in size since its inception 35 years ago and continues to grow with many new and returning clients knocking on its door each year. Clark’s 30 in-office staff and 70 on-site workers are given the opportunity to share in the company’s success with an employee share program, a big incentive appreciated by employees.

“Everyone works as a team. The better we do, the better it makes the company that we own,” says marketing manager Shelley Foley. “And it’s still a small enough company that it feels like a family.”

The office’s open-door policy provides a relaxed and productive working environment.

The staff is supportive and there is little hierarchy or separation. Even CEO Andrew Clark makes a point to introduce himself when he comes in from the main office in Edmonton.

“The CEO knows our names and takes an interest — it makes you feel like you belong,” says Foley.

Clark’s two-floor office building is casual and comfortable, and the employee offices are spacious with large windows and massive workspaces. There are boardrooms on each floor, a lunchroom and a rooftop patio with two barbecues.

“We’re kind of spoiled, and we like it,” says Foley.

clarkbuilders.com

Key Employee Benefits
Health benefits; spacious offices; an employee share program; individual recognition and rewards (such as Home Depot gift cards); company activities available to all employees; relaxed and team-inspired working environment.

Why it’s the Best Place to Work
Hard work and employee opinions are recognized and respected by management, and “brag walls” at front reception remind employees of their accomplishments on a constant basis.

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