BD Canada Inc.

BD Canada's physical workplace is rated as above-average. The company's suburban head office is located in a modern custom-built facility. Prior to building its new head office, BD Canada sought employee feedback about their location preference. In addition, employees were consulted about the building's design as well as the interior furnishings and fixtures. Inside, the head office features an onsite fitness facility (with subsidized memberships, free fitness assessments, onsite massage room, and instructor-led classes, such as ab conditioning); employee lounge (with comfortable seating, music and television); onsite cafeteria (with healthy menus and subsidized meals, free coffee and tea); an outdoor patio; secure bicycle parking; free parking; and shower facilities for cycle commuters.

BD Canada's work atmosphere is rated as above-average. On the job, employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress daily; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams; organized social events. Every year, the company hosts a variety of social events, including a Holiday Gala during the Christmas season, a summer softball tournament, complimentary breakfasts and a week of fundraising activities in support of the United Way. BD Canada keeps employees up-to-date about new developments and captures feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site.

BD Canada'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. The company also provides signing bonuses for some employees; year-end bonuses for all employees; year-end bonuses (to $54,000); share-purchase plan for all employees; defined benefit pension plan; matching RSP contributions (up to 3% of salary); life & disability insurance.

BD Canada's health and family benefits are rated as average. BD Canada'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 24 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 basic plan includes routine dental; eyecare ($250 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. The company's family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 90% of salary for 17 weeks). Additional family-friendly benefits include: flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); reduced summer hours program; and job-sharing (where possible).

BD Canada's vacation and personal time-off are rated as very good. 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 schedule 3 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence.

BD Canada'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. BD Canada recognizes exceptional performance through on-the-spot recognition awards, performances bonuses (based on individual and company performance), share options and special individual annual awards (to $4,000). BD Canada hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 18 months).

BD Canada'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 100% of non-related tuition). BD Canada also supports ongoing employee career development with 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.

BD Canada's community involvement program is rated as above-average. BD Canada supports a number 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. Employees also receive 6 paid days off to volunteer; Approximately 20 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. The company and its employees supported, including the Breast Cancer Society's Walk for the Cure, Armagh (women's shelter program), the United Way and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. In a recent and unique international initiative, employees at BD Canada helped to raised money to purchase 13 incubators for neo-natal units in the African nation of Ghana. The initiative was part of a joint volunteer project with Direct Relief International, a nonprofit organization that ships medical equipment and supplies to areas stricken by civil war, poverty or natural disaster. BD employee volunteers from around the world spent three weeks with staff at two healthcare clinics in Ghana, training local healthcare providers, building a new healthcare facility and upgrading medical laboratories.