Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario / AMAPCEO

AMAPCEO's physical workplace is rated as average. AMAPCEO's office is located in the heart of downtown Toronto. The Association occupies the 23rd floor of a modern office building with great views of the lake and surrounding city. (The Association originally sublet the space from the NHL Players Association.) The building is part of the city's new central Dundas Square and is connected to the city's extensive underground walking network, providing all-weather access to the Eaton Centre and the subway system. The office features ergonomically designed workstations (with Herman Miller desk chairs); free hot and cold beverages; secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; discounts at local restaurants; nearby fitness facilities; walking distance to Ryerson University and Yonge-Dundas Square.

AMAPCEO's work atmosphere is rated as average. AMAPCEO employees enjoy casual dress daily; can listen to music while working; organized social events. As a small employer, the Association hosts a variety of intimate events throughout the year, including a subsidized restaurant lunch before the Christmas break, office gatherings to celebrate birthdays, weddings and new babies, and occasional after work get togethers. In addition, the Association's small employer profile within one location ensures that employees can easily communicate with each other and senior management on a day-to-day basis. Employees can also provide direct feedback through an email suggestion box.

AMAPCEO's financial benefits are rated as average. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 24 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. The union ensures that its employees' salaries remain competitive through the collective bargaining process (all but four employees are unionized employees) as well as through comparisons with other union groups prior to the bargaining process. AMAPCEO also provides matching RSP contributions (up to 8% of salary); life & disability insurance; $750 subsidy for healthclub memberships and other wellness activities, year-end performance bonuses.

AMAPCEO's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. AMAPCEO's health benefits plan is managed by Great-West Life. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. Employees who work 20 hours per week receive coverage. The waiting period for new employees is 90 days. Employees receive full family coverage on the health benefits plan. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($300 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance; healthclub subsidy ($750 each year). The Association's family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 93% of salary for 52 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 93% of salary for 37 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 93% of salary for 37 weeks). Additional family-friendly benefits include: flexible working hours; telecommuting; compressed work week; spousal paid leave (3 days over and above parental leave entitlemenet) upon birth or adoption of a new child; paid leave (5 days) for new grandparents; early closure before long weekends in the summer; 3 day paid compassionate top-up leave; and self-funded leave program.

AMAPCEO'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 6 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can schedule 3 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees receive 1 personal day off, as scheduled by their employer. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. One employee, who is a lawyer, recently took a 14 month leave of absence to practice law. To help employees enjoy more of the summer, the Association also closes early before long weekends.

AMAPCEO'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. Excellent performance is recognized with pay increases and year-end bonuses.

AMAPCEO's training and skills development program is rated as very good. 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 provides up to $750 in tuition subsidies for non-related courses). The Association also provides subsidies for professional accreditations; unpaid education leave for up to one year to pursue personal or career development interests.

AMAPCEO's community involvement program is rated as very good. AMAPCEO supports a variety of local and national charities. Employees receive paid time off to volunteer with their favourite charitable organizations. Approximately 3 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. Every year, employees raise funds for the annual United Way campaign. At the head office, the Association participates with Cadillac Fairview in its annual "Friends of Flight" program to turn down office building lights in order to reduce bird deaths during the spring migration. As part of a local employee-led initiative, the Association recently donated its surplus office furniture to the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, which is a non-profit group that advocates for tenant rights in the community.