ATB Financial

ATB Financial's physical workplace is rated as very good. The corporation's downtown head office is located in a 16 storey office tower that offers great views to the downtown and North Saskatchewan River valley that winds through the city. Within a short walk to shops, services, restaurants and Edmonton's many cultural attractions, the head office features onsite fitness facility (with subsidized memberships treadmills, stationary bikes, stairmasters, rowing machines, weights, shower facilities, and instructor-led classes, including yoga); employee lounge (with comfortable seating and great views overlooking the city); self-serve lunch area; adjacent park area that is host to summer concerts; secure bicycle parking.

ATB Financial's work atmosphere is rated as above-average. On the job, employees enjoy casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams; organized social events. Every year, the committee organizes a variety of social gathering, including an evening Christmas dinner and dance, a family skate at Rexall Place with members of the Edmonton Oilers, a summer family barbeque as well as a subsidized summer barbeque and afternoon at the Edmonton Capitals minor league baseball game. Throughout the year, ATB Financial keeps employees informed about new developments and solicits feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

ATB Financial'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 6 months; signing bonuses for some employees; new employee referral bonuses (to $5,000 for some positions); year-end bonuses for all employees; year-end bonuses (to $43,651); defined benefit pension plan; defined contribution pension plan; life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; low interest home loans; discounted financial products and services.

ATB Financial's health and family benefits are rated as average. The corporation has two flexible health plans with varying levels of coverage. ATB recently introduced a new flexible health plan for its non-unionized employees that is managed by Alberta Blue Cross and lets employees tailor their coverage levels to their particular needs. The health plan is a flexible plan with adjustable premiums and coverage levels. 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; orthodontics; traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. ATB Financial's family friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 95% of salary for 8 weeks); flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); compressed work week; phased-in retirement; job-sharing.

ATB Financial's vacation and personal time-off are rated as average. New employees receive 2 weeks of vacation allowance after their first year. Vacation increases after 2 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 5 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can schedule 12 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees receive 90 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence.

ATB Financial'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. ATB Financial recognizes exception employee performance through a peer recognition program that offers public recognition and 'points' that can be saved and redeemed for consumer products as well as a generous corporate program that acknowledge 52 employees every year through the "President's Club" award -- which includes three days of paid vacation, a $1,500 travel voucher and attendance at an annual conference. ATB Financial sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 6 months); ATB Financial hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys.

ATB Financial's training and skills development program is rated as above-average. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (The employer subsidizes up to 100% of tuition). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. In addition to tuition subsidies, ATB support ongoing employee training with subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; formal mentoring program; career planning services; financial bonuses for certain course completions (to $500).

ATB Financial's community involvement program is rated as above-average. Every year, the corporation and its employees support local charitable initiatives across the province. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Employees receive paid time off to volunteer with their favourite charitable organizations. Last year, employees donated over 8,600 hours volunteering with charitable projects. Approximately 5 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. Last year, ATB Financial and its employees supported the annual United Way campaign, Habitat for Humanity, the Stars Ambulance campaign, the annual Edmonton Christmas Bureau campaign, and the Teddy for a Toonie initiative in support of children's health care across the province.