Business Development Bank of Canada

BDC's physical workplace is rated as very good. BDC's downtown head office is located in one of Montréal's most recognized office buildings, Place Ville-Marie. The office complex is centrally located and directly linked to the city's extensive underground walking network, providing comfortable all-season access to shopping malls, restaurants and the Métro. The head office features an employee lounge (with comfortable seating, newspapers, magazines and subsidized fair-trade coffee and tea); religious observance room; onsite cafeteria (with subsidized meals, healthy menu items, outdoor eating area); secure bicycle parking; shower facilities; nearby fitness facility (with subsidized memberships).

BDC's work atmosphere is rated as average. At work, employees enjoy casual dress Fridays; organized social events. BDC hosts a number of company-paid social events throughout the year, including the President's annual reception for head office employees, a fun sports day during the summer, departmental lunches and dinner celebrations, and a special brunch for employees' children during the Christmas season (complete with fun activities and gifts). BDC keeps employees up-to-date and captures feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

BDC's financial benefits are rated as exceptional. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. In addition to competitive compensation, BDC provides signing bonuses for some employees; new employee referral bonuses (to $2,000 for some positions); year-end bonuses for all employees; year-end bonuses (to $35,000); profit-sharing plan for all employees; defined benefit pension with employer contribution (up to 10% of salary); matching RSP contributions (up to 3.9% of salary); life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; discounts on home computers; interest-free loans for the purchase of home computer equipment; low-interest home loans; employee savings and investment plan with matching employer contributions.

BDC's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. The company's health benefits plan is managed by Manulife Financial. 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. 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; 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 ($300 each year). BDC's family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 95% of salary for 17 weeks). Additional family-friendly benefits include; flexible working hours; telecommuting; 35-hour work week (with full pay); shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); reduced summer hours program; phased-in retirement; assistance in finding childcare and eldercare placements; purchase of up to five additional vacation days through the flexible health plan.

BDC'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 5 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. All employees have the opportunity to purchase up to 5 extra vacation days through the flexible health plan. (For some positions, employees may start at 4 weeks of paid vacation.).

BDC's employee engagement program is rated as above-average. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 12 months. Informal progress reviews are also held during the year. To ensure fairness and consistency, the review process is governed by special review committees within each department. As part of the review process, employees set annual objectives, participate in mid-year progress and receive ongoing feedback throughout the year (and are encouraged to seek feedback). BDC recognizes exceptional performance with on-the-spot cash awards (to $300) and annual recognition awards (called the President's Awards of Excellence). BDC hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

BDC'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). In addition to tuition subsidies, BDC provides subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades internships; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; career planning services; new employee orientation program. BDC's impressive in-house training program includes a dedicated training facility with classrooms and a computer lab facility. The curriculum includes over 60 in-house programs, 80 online courses and over 100 books and training videos.

BDC's community involvement program is rated as exceptional. Every year, BDC and its employees actively support a variety of local and national charitable initiatives. Employees also receive 5 paid days off to volunteer; Approximately 35 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. BDC is a strong supporter of the annual Centraide (United Way) campaign, the E-Spriit program (in support of Aboriginal Youth), and the Government of Canada's Charitable Workplace Campaign. In addition, employees from across the bank support numerous initiatives every year, often utilizing their 5 paid personal days for such initiatives. In recognition of their efforts, BDC created a new category within its existing President's Awards of Excellence program to recognize its leading employee volunteers. BDC also encourages young people to get involved in team sports by sponsoring local sports teams across the country. The bank and its employees raise money to provide equipment, jerseys, sports bags, medals and financial assistance.