Recognized as one of Canada's Top Small & Medium Employers (2025):
By Richard Yerema and Kristina Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Apr 7, 2025)
Here are some of the reasons why Lawrie Insurance Group Inc. was selected as one of Canada's Top Small & Medium Employers (2025):
- Lawrie Insurance Group encourages employees to make their health a priority through a wellness program with prizes as incentives for employees to set and achieve goals -- the program focuses on healthy eating, mental health, sleep, physical fitness, spiritual wellness and financial wellness
- Lawrie Insurance Group provides peace of mind with six paid personal days for employees to balance work and family commitments, as well as six paid sick days to ensure employees can take time to rest and recharge -- employees also receive additional paid time off for medical appointments
- Lawrie Insurance Group donated an impressive 1,000 volunteer hours on company time in the past year and encourages employees to lend a helping hand in the community with a paid day off to volunteer
Lawrie has a culture that treats everyone as family
Last May, Hamilton-based Lawrie Insurance Group was awarded the Community Impact Award by the local chamber of commerce for initiatives that are enriching both the community and the lives of its employees. It was a much-appreciated acknowledgement of the culture that Lawrie prides itself on having — one that touches everyone: clients, employees and the local communities. “It all ties together in terms of our core values,” says president and CEO Bob Lawrie, “and our purpose each and every day.”
The importance Lawrie places on community involvement trickles down to employees. “We all have our causes that we’re passionate about in the community,” says Neva DeMiglio, a human resources business partner. “And the organization allows for a lot of volunteer opportunities.”
A dedicated Lawrie Cares community team helps to promote and streamline some of those initiatives, but employees are encouraged to volunteer with places near and dear to them.
Those can range from stuffing Christmas stockings and backpacks with school supplies for local schoolchildren to hygiene kits for mission services and food and clothing drives for families in need. “Causes that are important to our clients are also something employees support,” she adds, “so it really brings everything together.”
Lawrie also partners with nearby Mohawk College, and more than 30 per cent of employees are Mohawk grads. “We’ve started doing more and more co-op student support and really doubling down on bringing in future leaders of tomorrow,” says Lawrie.
The company has set up bursaries for Mohawk students, honours past Mohawk grad employees with student awards, puts on job fairs, provides opportunities for networking and more. “We get letters from students who say they’re getting opportunities they wouldn’t have been able to get without the support of the bursaries,” he adds. “So, we’re really proud of that.”
Lawrie is equally committed to investing in the growth and development of all its employees. In her four years at the company, DeMiglio has grown from a contract HR administrator role to a permanent HR coordinator, and now into a business partner role, all while Lawrie provided financial support to complete her HR courses. “They provide great support with tuition reimbursement,” she says. “They care about making sure people feel they have a career here, and not just duties in a job.”
The head of her department made sure DeMiglio had exposure to opportunities, as well as the necessary coaching and training. “If you’ve got a question, you really feel like you can go to anyone, and people are always jumping in to support you,” she adds. “I think the work environment here is really unique, actually.”
That kind of supportive culture starts at the top. “Our continuing goal is to remain fiercely independent and grow organically,” says Lawrie. “And that ties into investing in our people, investing in training, development and education — the whole person.”
Every employee can take courses for professional and personal development, all of which are fully funded by the company. “People are really investing in themselves, and that creates a great environment, a great culture, here,” he adds. “And we celebrate when someone gets through a course or gets that graduation certificate.”
Lawrie Group is third-generation, family owned and operated — Bob’s father, Dan, is chairman; his son and daughter are both on staff. So, it’s not surprising that the company is also committed to supporting employees’ families with flexible time-off policies and a free company-wide wellness program, among other things.
“It really does have a family feel,” says DeMiglio. “The organization really wants to put that warm blanket around you and make sure you feel supported on your journey to thrive here.”
The Career Directory
Lawrie Insurance Group Inc. has been selected for The Career Directory, our guide to entry-level recruitment for recent college and university graduates.
