Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc.

Al-Pac's physical workplace is rated as exceptional. (Located north-east of Edmonton, ALPAC's unique location offers a variety of recreational amenties for employees, including onsite baseball diamonds, a golf driving range, a beach volleyball court, a horseshoe pitch, walking trails and a 40-acre stocked trout pond. In a unique demonstration of its advanced waste water treatment facilities, the company's reception area houses a large aquarium that is filled with treated wastewater and stocked with native fish from the river. In addition to its outdoor recreational facilities the head office also features a variety of indoor amenities, including an) onsite fitness facility (with free memberships, treadmills, stationary bikes, stairmasters, rowing machines, weights, instructor-led classes, shower facilities); employee lounge (with comfortable couches, outdoor patio with picnic tables and chairs); onsite cafeteria (with healthy menus, special diet menus and free snacks).

Al-Pac's work atmosphere is rated as exceptional. Throughout the year, employees at ALPAC enjoy business casual dress; casual dress daily; can listen to music while working; can bring pets to work when needed; employee sports teams; organized social events. The company's social committee (called the Collectively Yours Social Club) organizes a variety of fun events every year, including a family day picnic with children's fishing derby, a charitable golf tournament, an annual Christmas party, a separate holiday party for employees' children, annual long-service awards dinner, and a National Aboriginal Day celebration and summer barbeque. ALPAC captures employee feedback and keeps employees up-to-date through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

Al-Pac's financial benefits are rated as exceptional. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. The company also provides new employee referral bonuses (to $5,000 for some positions); year-end bonuses (to $14,000); profit-sharing plan for all employees; defined contribution pension plan with employer contribution (up to 7% of salary); matching RSP contributions (up to 3% of salary); life & disability insurance; interest free home loans for new employees relocating to region; discounted company products; lifestyle account (to $3,800 each year taxable income) as part of the company's health benefits plan.

Al-Pac's health and family benefits are rated as very good. The company's health benefits plan is managed by Great West Life. 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. Employees who work 20 hours per week receive coverage. There is no waiting period before coverage begins. Employees receive full family coverage on the health benefits plan. Eyecare ($375 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; travel insurance. As part of the company's health plan, each employee receives an annual $3800 taxable lifestyle contribution and a $300 non-taxable health spending contribution that can be used towards non-insured health coverages and even to purchase additional vacation time. As part of this benefit, unused funds are paid directly to each employee at the end of the year. The company's family friendly benefits include: maternity top-up payments (to 100% of salary for 18 weeks). Additional family friendly benefits include: flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); reduced summer hours program; compressed work week; compassionate top-up payments (on a case-by-case basis).

Al-Pac's vacation and personal time-off are rated as exceptional. New employees receive 4 weeks of vacation allowance after their first year. Vacation increases after 10 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 7.5 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can schedule 12 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees receive 182 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. As part of the company's enlightened vacation policy, new employees receive 3 weeks paid vacation plus an additional week that they are free to choose as additional paid time-off or receive as additional income. The company also maintains a flexible personal paid-days off program the lets employees take time off for family events, emergencies, personal appointments or even a round of golf. The policy is designed to be flexible with employees averaging approximately 12 extra days off each year. Alberta-Pacific also recently introduced a compressed (7am to 5pm) and four-day work week schedule, offering three day weekends every week.

Al-Pac'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. ALPAC's performance management process is based on a team management model. Individual performance is reviewed jointly in the context of each work group's performance. Every month, work groups meet to discuss group and individual employee performance and work together to address any performance issues that may arise. Excellent performance is recognized with tickets to sporting and entertainment events, company-paid social events and company merchandise. In celebration of its first decade, the company hosted draws for a variety of incredible prizes, including fly-fishing trips, a new boat, 10 new ATVs, and two new vehicles. ALPAC also honours its long serving employees after 10 years on-the-job (and every 5th year thereafter) at an annual celebration dinner where employees receive gift cards valued at over $500. Al-Pac sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 24 months).

Al-Pac's training and skills development program is rated as exceptional. 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. (The employer subsidizes up to 100% of non-related tuition). In addition to tuition subsidies, ALPAC offers subsidies for professional accreditations; financial bonuses for course completions; in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades internships; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory. Financial bonuses for the completion of certain accreditations (from $4,000 to $10,000).

Al-Pac's community involvement program is rated as exceptional. A good community citizen, ALPAC supports a variety of local, national and international 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. Approximately 56 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. As part of the company charitable program, ALPAC lets employees volunteer on company-paid time for various charitable initiatives and provides special donations (to $250) in support of those organizations where employees volunteer. Last year, ALPAC and its employees supported the Alberta Heart Institute, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, the CIBC Run for the Cure, the Edmonton Downs Syndrome Society, the Morning Sky Aboriginal Health & Wellness Centre and the Wandering River Women's Institute, to name only a few.

As part of it focus on addressing its own environmental footprint, ALPAC reached the goal of going carbon neutral back in 2006. The company also works closely with conservation groups, local communities and Aboriginal organizations to establish sustainable forest and ecosystem management practices.