BC Public Service

BC Public Service's physical workplace is rated as above-average. Perhaps the BC Public Service greatest attribute is that it offers the chance to live and work in one of the country's most beautiful cities. Located in beautiful Victoria, the provincial government's main offices are located throughout the city and located in office towers, heritage buildings, unique facilities (such as the Selkirk Waterfront development) and the landmark provincial Parliament Buildings, located in Victoria's inner harbour. Most office locations are walking distance to the Inner Harbour, the Royal BC Museum, farmer's markets local restaurants and coffee shops. Across its many locations (but this varies with location), employees can take advantage of onsite fitness facility (with free and subsidized membership, treadmills, stationary bikes, rowing machines, weights, instructor-led classes and shower facilities); employee lounge (with comfortable seating, music, television, video games, table tennis and foosball tables, at some locations); onsite cafeteria (with healthy and special diet menus); secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; car pool sign-up system; and the Galloping Goose bicycle trail.

BC Public Service's work atmosphere is rated as very good. Across the Service, many employees can take advantage of business casual dress; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams. The BC Public Service hosts a week-long recognition celebration every year for its employees, hosting barbeques, picnics, breakfast and a variety of fun activities. The Service also hosts an awards gala every spring to honour its top performing personnel as well as long-service celebrations once a year to honour its longest serving employees. Throughout the year, employees can provide feedback and stay informed about new development through a corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

BC Public Service's financial benefits are rated as above-average. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. Along with salary surveys, compensation levels are achieved through the collective bargaining process. In addition to competitive compensation, the Service offers new employee referral bonuses (to $1,000 for some positions); defined benefit pension with employer contributions (up to 10% of salary); life & disability insurance.

BC Public Service's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. The Service's health plan is managed by Pacific Blue Cross. 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 waiting period for new employees is 30 days. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($250 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. As part of the health plan, employees can take advantage of a comprehensive smoking cessation program as well as offering discounts on home fitness equipment purchases through the government's procurement system. The BC Public Service's family-friendly benefits include maternity top-up payments for new mothers (to 85% for 15 weeks), followed by parental leave payments (to 75% for 35 weeks). Employees also have the option to extend their parental leave by up to 6 months (without pay) at the end of their leave. In addition, the Service provides; fertility treatments; maternity top-up payments (to 75% of salary for 35 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 75% of salary for 35 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 75% of salary for 35 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave; extended unpaid parental leave option (beyond the first year). In addition, some locations have daycare centres onsite with the services managed by outside daycare providers. Additional family-family friendly benefits include; post-secondary academic scholarships for children of employees; flexible working hours; telecommuting; 35-hour work week (with full pay); shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); compressed work week; earned days off (EDO) program; up to 60 annual scholarships (to $2,500 each) for children of employees pursuing post-secondary studies.

BC Public Service's vacation and personal time-off are rated as average. New employees receive 3 weeks of vacation allowance after their first year. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 7 weeks of vacation each year. Employees receive 6 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. For its unionized employees, vacation increases by one day starting after 3 years on the job, climbing incrementally thereafter on an annual basis, reaching 4 weeks after 6 years on the job. For its non-union exempt employees, starting vacation is 4 weeks. The maximum amount of paid vacation is 7 weeks for long-serving employees with a minimum of 25 years of service.

BC Public Service's employee engagement program is rated as average. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 12 months. Managers receive training in how to conduct effective performance reviews. As part of the review process employees can provide confidential feedback on their manager's performance. Exit interview provided for departing employees. Exceptional employee performance is recognized through non-cash awards valued at $100 -- over 8,000 employees received recognition last year. In addition, the compensation framework for management personnel include performance bonuses that can range from 5% to 10% of salary. BC Public Service sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 12 months).

BC Public Service's training and skills development program is rated as very good. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (Employers cover up to 100% of tuition). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. In addition to tuition subsidies, the BC Public Service offers subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; career planning services; new employee orientation program; formal mangement training program.

BC Public Service's community involvement program is rated as exceptional. The Service and its employees support a variety of local, national and international charities every year. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Approximately 900 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. Through the Service's "Provincial Employees Community Services Fund" employees can arrange to have direct payroll deductions donated to the registered charities of their choosing. The Service also has regional committees that allocate funds to local community initiatives every year, including the Alzheimer Society of BC, Island Sexual Health Society, Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Saanich Volunteer Services Society, and the Oak Bay Volunteer Services Society, to name a few.

In a unique partnership with CUSO, employees can apply to take an unpaid leave of absence to work on international development projects (employees still receive benefits and their position is guaranteed upon their return). In an initiative closer to home last year, employees were able to participate in a unique15-day leave program to volunteer with Vancouver's incredible 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic games -- employees donated half the time and the Service matched the second week with an employer paid leave.