BMO Financial Group

BMO's physical workplace is rated as exceptional. The bank's downtown head office is located in the landmark First Canadian Place tower, which has held the title of Canada's tallest office building since its completion in 1975. In addition to offering breathtaking views of the surrounding metropolis and Lake Ontario the building sits atop three levels of retail shops, services and restaurants and is connected to the city's extensive undergound PATH walking network, which offers all-weather access to public transit, major tourist attractions as well as hundreds of additional shops, services and restaurants. Inside, the head office features an impressive original art collection (with over 6,000 paintings, prints, sculptures and wall hangings dating back to the late nineteenth century) which is displayed throughout the office; an employee lounge (with comfortable seating, music and television); an adjacent third floor terrace that features a landscaped patio, outdoor running track and a unique putting green (which was established in memory of a colleague who lost his life in New York on September 11, 2001); a concierge and personal shopping service; nap room; religious observance room; onsite cafeteria (with subsidized meals and healthy menus items); secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; valet parking and an after-hours escort service for employees working late. The bank also maintains a corporate university (called the Institute for Learning) which is located east of the downtown in Scarborough. The impressive facility offers classrooms, overnight accommodations, dining facilities, a lounge as well as an onsite fitness facility, complete with a lap pool, sauna and whirlpool.

BMO's work atmosphere is rated as very good. On the job, employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams; organized social events. As part of the bank's holiday celebration at Christmas, over 500 employees from across the GTA gathered for BMO's Annual Open House at the head office. Employees gather to enjoy food and are asked to bring non-perishable food items, toys and cash donations (over 600lbs of food, $800 in cash and dozens of toys were collected last year), which are donated to the Warden Woods Community Centre and the Daily Bread Foodbank. The bank also hosts a Christmas lunch party for employees' children, complete with face-painting, a tattoo parlour, cookie decorating, arts and craft and singing.l. Throughout the year, BMO Financial solicits feedback and keeps employees up-to-date about new developments through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; traditional suggestion box; email suggestion box.

BMO'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 ensure pay levels remain competitive, the bank provides signing bonuses for some employees; year-end bonuses for all employees; year-end bonuses (to $45,000); share-purchase plan for all employees; defined benefit pension with employer contribution (up to 9% of salary); life & disability insurance; low interest home loans; discounted financial services and products.

BMO's health and family benefits are rated as average. The health benefits plan is managed by Sun Life and 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 7 hours per week receive coverage. 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 health plan also includes retiree coverage up to 80 years of age. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; eyecare ($200 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; medical equipment and supplies; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. BMO's family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 100% of salary for 6 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 100% of salary for 6 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 100% of salary for 6 weeks); pre-arranged emergency short-term daycare. Additional family-friendly benefits include; flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); reduced summer hours program; compressed work week; job-sharing.

BMO'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. As part of the bank's sick-day policy (which includes up to 250 paid days), employee can apply for personal days off (called People Care Days) that are approved at the discretion of managers -- and include everything from moving to parent-teacher interviews to caring for an ill relative.

BMO'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. The bank maintains a formal employee recognition program that lets employees nominate their colleagues (and managers) for a job well done. The recognition provides recipients with points that can saved and traded for consumer products, travel and gift certificates. As part of the program, employees who receive the most recognition receive national recognition at the annual "Best-of-the-Best gala. The bank also celebrates employee milestones at one, three and five years of service (and every five years thereafter). BMO sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 12 months); BMO hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

BMO'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). Along with generous tuition subsidies, the bank has an impressive tradition of supporting ongoing employee education, investing close to $69 million last year with employees averaging 6 days of training each year. BMO also provides subsidies for professional accreditations; financial bonuses for course completions; in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades internships; in-house training programs; online training programs; formal mentoring program; career planning services; new employee orientation program; formal mangement training program; financial bonuses for certain course completions (to $1,000); internal job postings; and the Institute for Learning that serves nearly 9,000 employees every year.

BMO's community involvement program is rated as exceptional. The bank and its employees support a vareity of local, national and international initiatives across the country every year. 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 1,000 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. BMO encourages its employee to vounteer in their communities through a number of initiatives every year, including: the Volunteer Grants program (makes donations to organizations where employees and retiree volunteer, from $250 to $1,000); the Matching Gifts program (matches donations to post-secondary institutions, from $25 to $2,000); the BMO Employee Charitable Foundation; and by providing time off for employees to volunteer in their communities. BMO is also a founding member of the very successful and important Kids Help Phone. Established in 1989, BMO and its employees continue to be strong supporters of the initiative, providing both monetary and volunteer support .