Habañero Consulting Group
Number of Employees: 62
Head Office: Vancouver
Started in 1996 by ex-BC Hydro engineer Steven Fitzgerald, Habañero found early success developing external websites for clients such as BCAA and Philips Hager & North and has since evolved into a well-rounded IT consulting business. Well-rounded is also how employees describe their company, with an emphasis on work/life balance that starts at the top. “There was a period early on where I knew I was a workaholic,” says Fitzgerald, “and I knew that in order to be involved in my kids’ life the way I wanted to, I had to do something. So I had Daddy Day every Thursday.” Fitzgerald believes that by establishing clear accountabilities for each employee he can in turn offer them things like Daddy Days and extended vacations. “We’ve had a guy go to dentistry school. We’ve had a guy go to medical school. It’s part of our approach to building the culture: if we really believe that we want people to live in harmony, and build sustainable careers, then we’re going to give up good people and, sometimes, actually help them leave the company.”
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