FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GlaxoSmithKline Recognized as One of 50 Best Companies to Work For in Canada
MISSISSAUGA, ON (December 27, 2002)- GlaxoSmithKline Inc. (GSK) was named one of the top 50 Best Companies to Work For in Canada according to an annual survey published today in the The Globe and Mail's Report on Business magazine. GSK improved its ranking from last year by 11 places, finishing 25th.
In being ranked one of the 50 Best Companies to Work For in Canada, GSK employees acknowledged a number of innovative workplace initiatives at the company, tailored to reward and recognize their acomplishments, support career development and help employees manage work and personal life demands.
"We're very pleased to be recognized by Report on Business magazine as one of the country's leading employers, and for creating a supportive and challenging work environment that enhances the success of our employees and business," said Paul Lucas, President and CEO, GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
GSK has developed a number of initiatives designed to help employees manage the often challenging demands of work and personal life, including self-managed work time and flexibility to work at home. In addition, GSK is the only Canadian company to offer an extended compassionate leave program to help employees deal with the critical or terminal illness of an immediate family member, or other extraordinary circumstances.
The company also places great emphasis on helping employees realize their full potential by providing opportunities for continuous development and growth. This includes mentoring, increasingly challenging assignments and GSK's in-house training programs, which are designed to build on existing competencies and help employees plot their own career paths. In addition, employees are encouraged to seek education and training outside of GSK by offering full tuition reimbursement.
"The survey results are very positive and reinforce feedback that we receive from employees on an ongoing basis," said Ruth Kemp, Vice President, Human Resources, GlaxoSmithKline. "Employees know that we are firmly committed to improving the health and lives of Canadians and, as the survey results show, our people are proud to be part of GSK."
More than 1,000 companies across Canada with at least 300 employees participated in the annual survey conducted by Hewitt Associates, North America's largest human resources consulting firm. Participating companies were assessed on recruitment, employee training and development, benefits, turnover and work environment. In addition to an audit of human resource practices, Hewitt collected feedback from a minimum of 200 randomly selected employees at each participating organization.
ABOUT GLAXOSMITHKLINE
GSK Inc. - one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.
In Canada, GSK (www.gsk.ca) employs approximately 1,800 people and is a top 25 investor in Canadian research and development, contributing more than $100 million annually.
GSK is also one of the top 10 corporate charitable donors, investing more than $6.5 million annually in charitable causes ranging from hospice palliative care to science education to humanitarian aid.
For more information, please contact
Ana-Maria Mosoiu
Hill and Knowlton Canada
416-413-4652
anamaria.mosoiu@hillandknowlton.ca
Alison Steeves
GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
905-819-3452