Agriculture Financial Services Corporation / AFSC

AFSC's physical workplace is rated as very good. The Crown corporation's head office is situated in the historic town of Lacombe and located inside a modern glass and brick building that is walking distance to a variety of amenities and is surrounded by mature trees, professionally landscaped gardens and linked to an outdoor walking trail that winds around Cranna Lake adjacent to the property. Inside, the head office features an employee lounge (with comfortable seating, massage chairs, fireplace, music, television, board games and a book exchange program, internet access for personal use); meditation and religious observance area; coffee stations located throughout the building with free coffee and tea; an outdoor eating area; and daily visits from a "lunch lady" who delivers fresh salads, sandwiches, soups, fresh fruits and vegetables, and deserts. Religious observance room; free parking; car pool sign-up system, and shower facilities for those who cycle to work.

AFSC's work atmosphere is rated as very good. On the job, employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress daily; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams; organized social events. Every year the company's social committee (recently renamed the "Fit and Fun Club") hosts an annual Christmas party, organizes sporting events (from floor hockey to aerobic classes) as well as arranging for cards, flowers and gifts for significant events in employees' lives. The committee also publishes a monthly e-newsletter to highlight upcoming events for all club members. The company also hosts a long service celebration to recognize its long-serving employees. AFSC has its own in-house employee advisory committee that consists of management and non-management employees. The committee meets quarterly to answer questions and address ongoing concerns. In addition, management employees from all divisions meet once every three weeks for a "roundtable" conference (called "The Grapevine") to review ongoing and upcoming events and issues. The company also captures feedback and keeps employees up-to-date about new company developments through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

AFSC's financial benefits are rated as above-average. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. In addition to competitive compensation, the Crown corporation offers new employee referral bonuses (to $2,500 for some positions); defined benefit pension with employer contributions (up to 9.1% of salary); life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; Employees may also take advantage of a variety of unique discounts, from restaurant meals to fitness club memberships to residential and auto insurance to discounts on mortgage rates, to name only a few.

AFSC's health and family benefits are rated as very good. The company's maintains separate health benefits plans for its salaried (managed by the Standard Life Insurance Company) and hourly personnel (managed by Blue Cross). There is no waiting period for salaried personnel and an 80-day waiting period for hourly employees. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 80% of the premiums. There is no waiting period before coverage begins. Employees receive full family coverage on the health benefits plan. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; eyecare ($350 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. (Salaried employees also receive orthodontic coverage in addition to routine and restorative dental.). AFSC's family friendly benefits include; fertility treatments; maternity top-up payments (to 95% of salary for 17 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 95% of salary for 12 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave; extended unpaid parental leave option (beyond the first year). Additional family-friendly benefits include a formal policy that lets new mothers extend their maternity leave; post-secondary academic scholarships for children of employees; flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); reduced summer hours program; compressed work week; earned days off (EDO) program; phased-in retirement work options; Through the company's EDO program, employees can now earn up to 15 days off each year (an increase from the previous maximum of 12).

AFSC's vacation and personal time-off are rated as average. New employees receive 3 weeks of vacation allowance after their first year. Vacation increases after 8 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 6 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can schedule 1 personal day off each year, as needed. During the Christmas to New Year's holiday break, employees receive an additional 5 days off. Employees receive 10 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. Employees can also receive paid days off (up to 12) for family care, community service, special leave and military leaves of absence. (Note: employees' paid vacation entitlements increase by one day every two years on the job, to a maximum of 30 days.

AFSC's employee engagement program is rated as above-average. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 12 months. Managers receive training in how to conduct effective performance reviews. As part of the review process employees can provide confidential feedback on their manager's performance. Exit interview provided for departing employees. The AFSC encourages informal quarterly reviews and boasts an impressive record with all employees receiving reviews during the year. The company rewards exceptional work performance through individual "merit" awards (to $1,000 each), team awards for groups of two or more employees and through a gift card progam. Employees are also recognized for their in-house environmental initiatives through the Go Green Awards program. AFSC sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 12 months); AFSC hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

AFSC's training and skills development program is rated as above-average. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (Employers cover up to 100% of tuition). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. (Employers cover up to 50% of non-related tuition). In addition to tuition subsidies, employees may also receive subsidies for professional accreditations; financial bonuses for course completions; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; formal mentoring program; career planning services; new employee orientation program; unique "Job Ladders" program to assist employees in determining possible careers paths within the company.

AFSC's community involvement program is rated as above-average. Every years the company and its employees support a number of local charitable initiatives. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Employees receive paid time off to volunteer with their favourite charitable organizations. Employees also receive 3 paid days off to volunteer; Approximately 200 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. Last year, the AFSC and its employees supported Big Brothers and Big Sisters (with employees volunteering to help struggling students in school), volunteer in classrooms across the province to teach students about the importance of agriculture, the Alberta Cancer Foundation, the annual United Way campaign, and the Salvation Army at Christmas (sponsoring families in need and providing food for a month, gifts at Christmas and gift certificates for the holidays).

The corporation recently established an in-house "Green Committee" to oversee its environmental initiatives. Established in response to employee feedback, the employee-led committee posts educational materials, has its own website and recognizes staff for their environmental initiatives.