Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. is supporting employee engagement and recognition through its ‘Take Your Parents to Work Day’ program.
The initiative, which last month saw several employees bring their parents to the automaker’s Markham, Ont. headquarters, involves providing family members with a look at the day-to-day functions of employees, including a welcome speech by Hyundai president and chief executive officer Steve Flamand, a behind-the-scenes look at how the company’s television commercials are made and a tour of the building, says Jennifer Maki, Hyundai’s national manager of human resources.
Read: Recognition, employee connections driving retention risks for 2026: report
The program was inspired by the long-running Take Your Kids to Work Day initiative. “We already participate in Take Your Kids to Work Day, but we thought, ‘It would be really meaningful if people could also have the opportunity to bring their parents and show them where they work.’”
Employee feedback was overwhelmingly positive, including one employee who noted they felt recognized by the company by allowing their efforts to be showcased for family members.
In addition to this program, Maki notes Hyundai engages employees through a recognition platform that allows colleagues to shout-out their coworkers’ efforts and nominate them for awards, as well as the use of hand-written thank-you cards for managers to recognize their team members’ contributions. Throughout the year, the company also hosts multiple events such as employee appreciation days and outings to sporting events.
Read: How UBC’s internal awards impact employee recognition and well-being