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Sustainability Reporting Initiative

People > Employees

Our core asset

Employee Data

Our Human Resources team works hard to ensure our compensation and benefits remain in line with or above those of industry peers. By offering fair compensation, generous vacation leave, a comprehensive benefits package, a safe and inclusive working environment, a good work/life balance, and opportunities for training and advancement, we are able to attract and retain a skilled and passionate workforce.

As at December 31

2021 2020 2019
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total
By employment type
Full-time 137 345 482 112 251 363 100 217 317
Part-Time 1 5 6 3 4 7 1 9 10
By employment contract
Permanent 132 339 471 110 244 354 96 215 311
Temporary 6 11 17 5 11 16 5 11 16
By region
Canada 107 230 337 103 221 324 93 202 295
USA 11 33 44 7 22 29 3 14 17
France 7 13 20 5 12 17 5 10 15
Chile 13 74 87
Total 138 350 488 115 255 370 101 226 327

48 million

 96.5% of employment contracts at Innergex were permanent

48 million

Total number of hours worked by employees in 2021: 785,333

Compensation and Benefits

As at December 31

Canada United States France Chile
Base salary
Bonus
Life Insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
Extended health care
Sick days and personal days
Vacation time beyond statutory requirements
Group registered retirement savings plan with employer contributions
Employee share purchase plan

Full-time employees
Part-time employees
Fixed term employees with contract of two years or more
Fixed term employees with contract of less than two years
48 million

$54.4 M1 in wages and benefits paid out in 2021

77 of eligible employees

In 2021, 75% of eligible employees participated in the Employee Share Purchase Plan

48 million

Innergex’s contributions to employee retirement plans in 2021
totaled $1.3 M

1. Compared with $48.6 million in 2020. Includes wages and benefits expenses capitalized to projects under construction or development, and wages and benefits expenses recharged to joint ventures and associates.
2. For Canadian and US employees. Employees in France and Chile are covered by different retirement systems.

Through its executive compensation practices, the Corporation seeks to attract and retain the talented and experienced executives the Corporation needs to achieve its strategic objectives and to motivate and reward executives whose knowledge, skills and performance are critical to the Corporation’s short and long-term success. It also seeks to align the interests of the Corporation’s executives and shareholders by motivating executives to increase shareholder value and preserve a stable dividend while building for the future which means integrating Environmental, Social and Governance factors at all levels.

Corporate Sustainability Objectives

A portion of the Annual Incentive is linked to Corporate Objectives for executives based on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors as part of the 28% to 30% attributed to development objectives.

Employee Retention

Innergex takes great care to create an environment where people are engaged, feel safe, and grow their passion for building a better world. Following recruitment, our clear and extensive onboarding process ensures new employees are ready to contribute immediately. Making new employees feel welcome and part of the team at the onset is imperative Support, recognition, training opportunities and career development follow an employee throughout their journey at Innergex. Retaining key talent is a long-term strategy that ensures the continuity of our knowledge base and allows us to benefit from the experience and knowledge of our long-term employees.

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In 2021, there were 97 employees with at least 10 years tenure at Innergex.

Employee Turnover Rate

As at December 31

Voluntary Turnover Rate New Hires
2021 2020 2021 2020
Female 5.0% 3.0% 40 33
Male 7.5% 3.5% 72 48
Total Average1 12.5% 6.5% 112 81

1. Total average turnover rate.
Note: 2020 is the first year that Innergex has calculated turnover rate. Retirements and ends of contract excluded. Excludes Chilean employees.

Paid Sick Leave

Paid sick leave has always been an essential tool at Innergex in providing safe and healthy working conditions for our employees as well as alleviating workers’ concerns about lost income if they miss a day of work. Paid sick leave also helps attract and retain employees which saves resources in the long-term. Providing paid sick leave has become even more important since the onset of the pandemic in 2020 to ensure we keep our families, friends, colleagues and communities safe. This benefit is available to all employees who have passed their probationary period in all the jurisdictions in which we operate.

Summer Hours Program

As a further way to improve our employees’ work/life balance, Innergex offers its office teams in Canada and the United States the opportunity to finish a little earlier on Fridays during the summer. Those wishing to participate accrue additional minutes per day between Monday and Thursday and can finish their Friday work day earlier in the afternoon to enjoy a longer weekend.

Social Committees

Nurturing good relationships with colleagues is an essential part of creating a safe, healthy and collaborative work environment. Social events are a great way of building bonds in a fun atmosphere while promoting company culture. Due to varying geographic locations and time zones, our Longueuil, Vancouver, San Diego and Lyon offices host their own social events for employees that include both virtual and in-person events throughout the year.

Training and Development

Supporting our employees with the tools necessary to advance their careers in their respective field of expertise is integral to moving Innergex forward. Investing in our employees not only benefits them with improving their skills and confidence but allows Innergex to remain at the top of its industry with cutting edge talent while increasing retention rates. Our goal is to offer employees the opportunity to set and reach their personal and professional goals.

We also offer the decision makers of tomorrow experience through paid internships while they complete their studies. Not only do these internships introduce a new generation to the many possibilities in the renewable energy sector, but they also expand our succession planning opportunities by showcasing the benefits of working with a respected and growing industry player.

The key to our success as a global corporation is to recruit, develop and retain the most talented and passionate individuals from the most diverse candidate pool possible.

Average Hours of Training per Year per Employee

As at December 31

2021 2020 2019
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total
Senior Management1 27 30 29 27 27 27 40 24 30
Other Management2 44 37 39 44 29 35 62 28 44
Professionals 43 45 44 57 48 52 44 37 40
Administration 47 39 45 52 55 53 46 10 43
Operations 5 39 38 17 35 34 11 33 32
Total hours divided by total employees 41.8 39.3 40.1 48.2 36.6 40.2 47.9 31.8 36.3

1. Includes C-Suite, Senior Vice Presidents, and Senior Directors.
2. Includes Directors, Senior Managers and Managers.
Note: All training statistics exclude Chilean employees.

 

39 hours

40.1 hours
Average number of employee training hours in 2021

240 employees

276 employees
received training in 2021

9208

11,069 hours
logged in training in 2021

Diversity & Inclusion

We promote a culture where each employee – no matter what level, role or responsibility – plays an active role in creating an environment where people of diverse backgrounds feel that their voice, views, ideas and contributions are heard and valued. As such, in 2021 we were extremely pleased to launch our Diversity & Inclusion policy. This policy is promoted at the highest levels in the Corporation and enacted through our policies. Headed by two executives, the policy aims to help Innergex thrive in a competitive economic environment by inspiring creativity, promoting different perspectives, improving performance and innovation, facilitating recruitment, and increasing retention. Our commitment is to adhere to best industry practices, to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, and to develop a corporate culture that not only treats everyone equally, but also seeks and values input from everyone.

Innergex has always been an equal opportunity employer that provides employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment as well as the tools necessary to report any actions that do not adhere to our strict Workplace Environment Free of Harassment, Violence and Bullying policy. We value diversity of gender, religion, age, ethnicity, disability, nationality, and sexual orientation, and are committed to ensuring that the recruitment of the best available candidates is made without discrimination.

At Innergex, we champion diversity and inclusion not only because it demonstrates respect for our employees, but because we firmly believe we are better positioned to fulfill our Mission when we welcome the broadest range of people. A more inclusive and diversified workforce leads to improved synergies, a stronger team, better decision making, and ultimately, better results for Innergex.

We are proud to provide a fair, equitable, and respectful workplace where all employees are valued and given recognition based on individual merit and are considered for opportunities to advance and succeed.

Gender Diversity by Age

As at December 31

2021 2020 2019
Age Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total
30 and under 22 66 88 17 42 59 8 31 39
31 to 50 89 215 304 75 159 234 69 139 208
51 and over 27 69 96 23 54 77 24 56 80
Total 138 350 488 115 255 370 101 226 327

Gender Diversity in Management

As at December 31

2021 2020 2019
Position Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total
C-Suite 2 4 6 0 3 3 0 3 3
Vice Presidents 1 8 9 2 5 7 3 5 8
Senior Directors 10 17 27 6 11 17 4 10 14
Other Management 21 71 92 24 45 69 32 38 70
TOTAL 34 99 133 32 64 96 39 56 95

Percentage Women Employees at Innergex

As at December 31

2021 2020 2019
28%1 31% 30%

In 2021,
we had 25% of women in management positions

1. The decrease from last year’s percentage is due to the addition of more than 80 employees in Chile, the majority male,
as part of the acquisition of Energía Llaima in July 2021.
Note: Other Management includes Directors, Senior Managers and Managers.

Advancing Gender Equity

Since 2019, Innergex has been a signatory to the Equal by 30 Campaign to work towards equal pay, equal leadership and equal opportunities for women in clean energy sector by 2030. We are committed to doing more to ensure that the low-carbon transition results in growth that is inclusive, and where the benefits are shared. The table below outlines Innergex’s six commitments made in 2019 and provides an update on their progress.

Equal Remuneration for Women and Men

Innergex seeks employees who share our culture, strong work ethic, and passion to make a difference.. We have created a corporation-wide competitive salary structure using a point-factor method that allows us to determine the appropriate salary bracket for each position within the Corporation with the exception of officers whose compensation is determined by the Board of Directors. Within each bracket, we determine pay equity by taking into account additional factors, such as employees’ seniority, education, and experience.

Factors that influence job classifications include:

Qualifications required – training, experience, skills, promotions

Responsibilities assumed – accountability, responsibility, supervision

Efforts required – intellectual, physical, concentration and sensory attention

Working conditions – physical and psychological environment

Pay Equity Ratio Women to Men

As at December 31 (figures only available for employees in Canada)

2021 2020 2019
Canada Base Salary Remuneration Base Salary Remuneration Base Salary Remuneration
Senior Directors 96% 96% 95% 96% 98% 94%
Other Management 100% 99% 96% 95% 97% 95%
Professionals 96% 96% 97% 98% 101% 101%
Administration 111% 113% 108% 108% 102% 102%

Note: Officers and other Vice Presidents were excluded from this table as their compensation is determined by the Board of Directors.
Note: Operations are omitted from this table as there were no figures to report due to there being only one gender or no employees reportable in each jurisdiction.
Note: Due to small number of employees operating in the United States, France and Chile, it is not possible to provide their ratios in this chart at this time.

 

Innergex believes in equal pay for work of equal value and will continue to work toward achieving the best ratio possible.

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Percentage of eligible employees who
received a performance review in 2021: 93%

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Our 2021 employee engagement survey had a
89% response rate

Employee Engagement

Getting feedback from our team members is critically important in order for us to provide them with the resources they need to succeed while improving our internal processes. The Human Resources department uses surveys, both full and pulse, to gather information from our employees on a yearly basis. Furthermore, managers create an environment where open dialogue is promoted with their teams and where individuals feel confident and secure in sharing questions, comments, or concerns with their supervisor. Our intranet tool CONNECT, a web-based and mobile platform, is a tool for employees to get up-to-date information, easily access important forms and resources to help improve both work and life.

Professional Development

We engage in a three-step performance assessment process throughout the year: objective-setting, mid-year review and year-end assessment. This is an opportunity for managers and employees to discuss expectations and performance and it provides a valuable feedback process for employees to improve their performance and engagement and to pursue their professional development.

All employees undergo an Annual Performance Assessment to review performance and career development. This aides the personal development of employees and contributes to skills management and the development of human capital within the organization while enhancing employee satisfaction.

Health and Safety

The physical and mental health of our employees is a key priority. Promoting safe and secure working environments for all our employees, contractors and suppliers is paramount to our daily operations. Our achievements are accomplished together, and so is our safety. We look out for each other, understand our responsibilities and listen to each other’s concerns.

Our Health and Safety Management System has been structured in a Plan-Do-Check-Act format which aligns to the recommendations in ISO45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems Standard.

The overarching document in the system is a Health and Safety Management manual which provides a description of how health and safety is managed at Innergex including the development of detailed safety standards specific for the jurisdiction where our assets are located and which define how we mitigate the hazards that are encountered at our facilities and comply with regulatory requirements.

At our operational facilities, contractors and visitors are screened on arrival to ensure compliance with Communicable Disease Prevention or COVID-19 plans. They are also provided with a site-specific orientation to provide familiarization with the physical layout and the safety rules in force at the facility.

At our offices, we offer employees one-on-one consultations with ergonomic experts to ensure their workstation set-up allows for maximum health benefits. Innergex supports wellness initiatives that offer employee perks, such as personal ergonomic workstation assessments, as well as yearly flu shots, and other beneficial health activities. Furthermore, the design of our offices aims to evoke a sense of inclusion and community by providing spaces for our employees to get together to develop bonds and share experiences.

Canadian, French and American employees have access to a comprehensive, interactive, and bi-lingual online employee and family assistance program (EFAP) including health and wellness services, all in a secure, easy-to-use, personalized environment. This program offers personal, emotional, financial, and legal assistance to support health at work, home and in life.

Corporate Emergency Response Plan

Our Corporate Emergency Response Plan identifies potential environmental, health and safety, and cybersecurity emergencies and includes identified decision makers and actions to respond to such situations. This plan, and the Site-Specific Safety Plan, are available at each facility and in each Innergex office as well as on the Corporation’s intranet. Our Operations and Health and Safety teams work diligently to ensure the health and safety of all our employees through education, training, monitoring and site visits.

Dam Safety

Our run-of-river hydroelectric facilities are routinely monitored and surveyed by on-site operations staff. Remote surveillance cameras and remotely-monitored instrumentation installed at the facilities ensures our teams are always aware and ready to respond to any issues that arise. Inspections, preventative maintenance and repair of issues that could affect facility safety are conducted regularly. Managing site access, especially in more accessible areas is important. Innergex installs fencing, barriers, handrails and controls access to gates while providing signage to ensure safety of the public when near a facility. Some facilities include warning systems depending on their location, such as sirens/alarms including notifications to downstream users in the event of a pending or actual system failure. Our facilities are inspected annually as well as after a flood or earthquake event to ensure the integrity of the facility and its systems.

Rates of Injury, Occupational Disease, Lost Days and Total Number of Work-Related Fatalities

As at December 31

Operators Office Employees
2021 2020 2019 2021 2020 2019
Injury Rate1 1.86 2.41 3.97 0 0 0
Occupational Disease Rate2 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lost Day Rate3 8.05 29.93 64.984 0 0 0
Work-related fatalities 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 The injury rate is the number of injuries (including contractors) resulting in Medical aid and Lost time accident per 200,000 worked hours.
2 The occupational disease rate is the number of occupational diseases (excluding contractors) per 200,000 worked hours.
3 The lost day rate is the number of calendar days lost due to a work-related injury or disease (excluding contractors) per 200,000 worked hours.
4 In 2019, there were three injuries that resulted in long absences – in one case for 141 days. Overall, these three injuries were responsible for 87% of the total number of lost days incurred in all of 2019. Each injury has been thoroughly investigated and recommendations have been implemented to prevent similar incidents from reoccurring.

Target: Zero lost days due to injuries

COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols

In March 2020, Innergex assembled a COVID-19 task force to monitor and address the evolution of the virus on our business activities and ensure the safety of our team members. Their first order of business was to implement numerous measures to protect employees, contractors, suppliers and business partners from the effects of COVID-19, which was accomplished in short order. Since that time, as the virus evolved, so have the guidelines within Innergex in order to provide the safest measures possible for our employees based on the latest information available.

From an operations perspective, teams were split into segregated work groups to reduce risks of contamination between them. Extensive cleaning procedures were implemented and continue to be enforced to ensure that common surfaces are disinfected regularly. COVID-19 screening protocols and measures were revised and improved specifically for monitoring the health and safety of our employees in conjunction with evolving public health guidelines depending on the jurisdiction.

Many office employees have been working remotely since March 2020. Some have been allowed back to work under certain conditions to achieve tasks that required a presence in the office. Extensive cleaning procedures were implemented and continue to be enforced to ensure that common surfaces are disinfected regularly.

Innergex will continue to closely monitor the situation in all jurisdictions where we operate and update our procedures and protocols accordingly. While we look forward to the day we can all safely return to the office and collaborate again, our priority has, and always will be, the safety of our employees.