The owners of a computer company in Laval just made a gesture rarely seen in the business world: they bought an island in the Laurentians to offer to their employees.
“There’s something magical about an island, it’s an adventure,” says Sylvain Dion, president of Mon Technicien, a company founded 22 years ago that specializes in computer support and cybersecurity.
Photo provided by my technician
On the small island, about a two-hour drive from Montreal, behind Mont-Tremblant, there is a charming chalet that can accommodate up to eight people.
You can arrive by pedal boat, canoe, cross-country skis or snowshoes. The chalet is equipped with solar panels for electricity and a wood stove.
“There won’t be a giant screen, it’s really a chalet to switch off from,” says Mr. Dion, who prefers not to mention the purchase price.
Sylvain Dion LinkedIn
“Flexible Compensation”
For him, giving employees free access to a private island is a way to reward them and keep them in a labor-scarce environment. My Technician already offers “flexible pay” that allows employees, known as “players,” to choose between a higher salary, more vacation time, or higher RRSP contributions, which they endorse.
The opportunity to acquire the island arose when a couple who knew Sylvain Dion told him about their intention to sell the property a year and a half ago.
“In the office, we have a bundling mentality,” says Mr. Dion, noting that the company offers its thirty employees a subscription to the Partage Club platform in Quebec, which allows for the borrowing and lending of objects.
Photo provided by my technician
Chalets are too often empty
In Quebec, private chalets often see very little use each year, notes Mr. Dion. “It doesn’t make sense to me,” he says.
Any employee can reserve the island for up to five weeks a year if they wish. Colleagues can also work there together or hold meetings.
“We discussed it for a long time, my colleagues and I: is that a crazy idea? Will employees really benefit from this? At first everyone will say, “That’s cool,” but will they do it? But hey, after just a few days we already have three people who have ‘booked’ so it’s off to a very good start. I think we have to bring them to the island in small groups so that they can acclimatize,” says Sylvain Dion.
The relatively new “corporate chalet” trend seems to be here to stay. In 2021, Montreal software company Médiaclip bought a chalet in Mauricie for its employees. And the digital agency Rablab is in the process of completing the construction of its own chalet to offer its employees “the opportunity to recharge their batteries in the middle of nature while going about their daily tasks”.
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