Workplace Issues

Participants must answer two questions: What does doing a good job mean to you? and, How does Dickies help you get your job done? They'll also need to post a photo of themselves at work while wearing their Dickies workwear.

Award recognizes Canadian workers

You could call them the Oscars of the Canadian labour market.

SHARON ASCHAIEK -- Special to the Toronto Sun
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Workwear manufacturer Williamson-Dickie Canada Co. -- widely known as Dickies -- is shining a spotlight on the great work of employees across the country with its first annual Canadian Worker of the Year awards.

'WORK ETHIC'


"The promotion is designed to embody the spirit of the Canadian worker. Day after day, Canadians work hard, and it's time to recognize that work ethic," says Bill McFarlane, vice-president, marketing and operations, Dickies.

The awards are open to all working Canadians who've reached the age of majority in their province. Employees from every sector are eligible to participate.


Those seeking to take part will need to answer two questions: What does doing a good job mean to you? and, How does Dickies help you get your job done? They'll also need to post a photo of themselves at work while wearing their Dickies workwear. People may also nominate someone they know.

The contest launches on May 15 and people may enter nominations online at www. canadianworkeroftheyear.ca or mail their answers and photo to Dickies at 6711 Mississauga Rd., Suite 600, Mississauga, Ontario L5N 2W3.

Entries will be reviewed by a panel of six judges consisting of representatives from Dickies and the awards' promotional partners -- Dodge, Bosch Tools, Corus Entertainment and Sun Media. Judges will evaluate the sincerity of answers, the extent to which nominees represent the spirit of the Canadian worker, and photo composition.

The awards will recognize four regional finalists, three of whom will win a trip for two to the Dickies 500 -- the NASCAR Nextel Cup stock car race held at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, on Nov. 2. They'll also win a Bosch cordless tool set and a Dickies apparel prize pack.

The big winner picks up a 2009 Dodge Ram pickup truck, an all expense-paid trip for two to attend the award ceremony held at the Dodge Rodeo finals in Mississauga, and will be featured on the cover of Dickies' 2009 product catalogue. They'll also get their own Bosch cordless tool set and a Dickies apparel prize pack.

The contest is part of Dickies' ongoing efforts to meet the apparel needs of Canadian workers, which has been a corporate objective since the company's founding in 1922, McFarlane says.

'Evolution'

"It's all about the evolution of the worker and Dickies evolving to stay in step with their requirements," McFarlane says. "As the needs of the worker changes, so do their apparel needs."

Throughout the contest, four Dickies promotional teams will travel in 2008 Dodge Rams covered in the awards logo to retail locations, construction sites, Dodge Rodeo events and NASCAR races across the country.

The 2009 Dodge Ram grand prize will be showcased in a parade lap at the Dickies 200 at Mosport International Raceway on June 15.

The contest closes on Aug. 15 and results will be announced by Sept. 1 on www.canadianworkerofthe year.ca and in Jobboom in the Toronto Sun.

"In today's day and age, it seems like we're all working more hours and harder than ever," McFarlane says. "I think that from time to time, we need to stop, take a minute, and recognize the good, hard work that people are doing all across the country."

sharon@summitmediagroup.com



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