British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC)

BCLC's physical workplace is rated as exceptional. The head office location in beautiful Kamloops offers convenient access to a variety of great recreational options, including golfing, mountain biking, fishing, hiking, water sports and winter activities. The unique head office is located in a completely renovated former Woolworth's department store and inside features onsite fitness facility (with free memberships, treadmills, stationary bikes, stairmasters, rowing machines, weights, basketball court, personal lockers, shower facilities and 24/7 access for employees); employee lounge (with comfortable seating, music, television, video games, table hockey); a truly unique "Gaming Mock Lounge" that looks and feels like a pub and where employes can try out BCLC's latest lotter, casinos and bingo products; onsite cafeteria (with subsidized, healthy, home-made and special diet menus); candy store (with proceeds directed to charities at Christmas); onsite popcorn machine; secure bicycle parking; free parking.

BCLC's work atmosphere is rated as above-average. On the job, employees at BCLC enjoy business casual dress; casual dress daily; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams; organized social events. Every year, BCLC sponsors a number of social events, including offsite Christmas parties (for the Kamloops and Richmond locations), a Christmas party for employees' children, catered divisional meetings (often held at a casino location), and an annual employee motivational and social gathering (with food and drinks) to discuss. The company solicits feedback and keeps employees informed throughout the year via a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

BCLC'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 ensuring competitive compensation, the company offers signing bonuses for some employees; year-end bonuses for all employees; year-end bonuses (to $11,674); defined benefit pension with employer contribution (up to 10.4% of salary); life & disability insurance; and interest free computer loans.

BCLC's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. The corporation's health 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. The waiting period for new employees is 30 days. Employees receive full family coverage on the health benefits plan. The health plan also includes retiree coverage with no age limit. 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. BCLC's family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 85% of salary for 17 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 85% of salary for 12 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 85% of salary for 17 weeks). Additional family benefits include; flexible working hours; telecommuting; earned days off (EDO) program.

BCLC'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 7 weeks of vacation each year. Employees receive 120 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. (Depending on their position, some employees start with 4 weeks of paid vacation).

BCLC's employee engagement program is rated as very good. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 6 months. Managers receive training in how to conduct effective performance reviews. The company recently introduced a formal corporate recognition program that lets employees reward their co-workers for their excellent performance. The online-based program provides a forum for public recognition as well a four award levels from simply thank you e-cards to cash awards. Of course, excellent job performance is also recognized by BCLC through a performance bonus program. BCLC sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. BCLC hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

BCLC'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. (The employer subsidizes up to 50% of non-related tuition). In addition to tuition subsidies, BCLC offers its employees subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; formal mentoring program; career planning services; new employee orientation program; formal mangement training program.

BCLC's community involvement program is rated as exceptional. The company 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. Last year, employees donated over 5,500 hours volunteering with charitable projects. As part of its mandate, a portion of BCLC's net income is distributed as community grants in the areas of culture, art, sport, environment, public safety, capital programs and parental advisory councils -- over $153.6 million was distributed to over 6,700 charitable and community organizations last year. In addition to providing paid time off to volunteer, BCLC provides funds in support of employee-led charity fundraisers through its new "Employee Community Involvement Program". Last year, employees volunteered and raised money for the United Way (over $36,000), the Canadian Cancer Society (over $5,000) and the Heart & Stroke Foundation (over $4,000), to name a few.