Agrium Inc.

Agrium's physical workplace is rated as exceptional. Agrium's head office is located in south Calgary mere minutes away from Fish Creek Provincial Park, one of the largest urban parks in Canada. Built in the Prairie School architectural style, the 160,000 square-foot building features walls built from 445-million year old, fossil-embedded Manitoba Tyndall stone. Easily accessible by public transit and convenient highway access, the suburban head office features an onsite fitness facility (with subsidized $10 monthly family membership, treadmills, stationary bikes, stairmasters, weights, instructor-led classes, television and shower facilities); employee lounge (with comfortable seating, fireplace, television, Wii nintendo system, foosball table and board games), onsite bistro serves as a hybrid cafeteria (with hot meals as wells as salads) and a self-serve lunchroom; free hot and cold beverages; religious observance room; concierge services available; secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; free parking; outdoor patio with picnic tables, nearby shopping mall.

Agrium's work atmosphere is rated as above-average. Employees at Agrium enjoy business casual dress; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams; organized social events. The company hosts a $5 for charity "jean day" on the first Friday of each month, which includes a social gathering in the building rotunda where promotions, new employees and anniversaries are celebrated. The company-subsidized social club (established in 2001) also organizes a Calgary Stampede breakfast, annual hockey tournament, Christmas parties, and the annual United Way Campaign. Agrium keeps employees up-to-date and collects feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; traditional suggestion box; email suggestion box.

Agrium'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. The company's financial benefits vary with employee group, union and non-union personnel. In addition to ensuring competitive compensation and varying with employee group, Agrium also provides signing bonuses for some employees; new employee referral bonuses (to $3,000 for some positions); year-end bonuses for all employees; year-end bonuses (to $228,000); profit-sharing plan for all employees; defined benefit pension with employer contributions (up to 5.9% of salary); defined contribution pension plan with employer contributions (up to 9% of salary); matching RSP contributions (up to 1% of salary); life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; (Union personnel are enrolled in the defined benefit pension plan and can participate in the matching RSP program while non-union employees are enrolled in the defined contribution pension plan.).

Agrium's health and family benefits are rated as very good. Agrium's health benefits plan is managed by Alberta Blue Cross. The company has separate health plans for its union and non-union personnel. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. The health plan is a flexible plan with adjustable premiums and coverage levels. The maximum waiting period for new employees is 16 days. There is no waiting period before coverage begins. Employees receive full family coverage on the health benefits plan. The health plan also includes retiree coverage with no age limit. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($250 every 2 years); alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance; healthclub subsidy (to $360 each year). Health plan flex credits can be put toward a health expense plan, which they can use to pay any out-of-pocket medical or dental expenses. Agrium's family-friendly benefits include: maternity top-up payments (based on length of service and range up to 100% of salary for 8 weeks); fertility treatments; maternity top-up payments (to 100% of salary for 8 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave; post-secondary academic scholarships for children of employees; flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); earned days off (EDO) program; phased-in retirement work options; academic bursaries for children of employees or retirees range from $1200 to $1600; summer student hiring program from children of employees.

Agrium'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 10 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 5 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence.

Agrium's employee engagement program is rated as very good. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 12 months. Managers receive training in how to conduct effective performance reviews. Performance feedback is also solicited from co-workers and other managers familiar with each employee's work. As part of the review process employees can provide confidential feedback on their manager's performance. Exit interview provided for departing employees. Agrium recognizes exceptional performance with financial bonuses determined by annual incentive programs. Agrium sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. Agrium hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 24 months).

Agrium's training and skills development program is rated as exceptional. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (Employers cover up to 100% of tuition). (Employers pay up to $5,000 in subsidies). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. (Employers cover up to 100% of non-related tuition). (Employers pay up to $5,000 in tuition subsidies for non-related courses). In addition to offering generous tuition subsidies. Agrium supports employees' ongoing career development with subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades programs; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; formal mentoring program; career planning services; apprenticeship programs for instrumentation technicians, millwrights, steamfitters/pipefitters, heavy duty mechanics, industrial mechanics, electricians, and welders; engineer-in-training program for engineering graduates; succession management program for employees showing leadership potential early in their careers; and international work opportunities.

Agrium's community involvement program is rated as above-average. Agrium donates recyclable cans to the local Boys and Girls Club at their Fort Saskatchewan office. The company also donates funds to 4-H Canada, the Calgary Zoo's Schoolyard Naturalization program, Alberta Guide Dog Services, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Employees receive paid time off to volunteer with their favourite charitable organizations. Approximately 800 charitable and community organizations were supported last year.