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, music, television, and a variety of fair-trade coffee and tea for only 25-cents); onsite cafeteria (with healthy menu items and outdoor eating area); secure bicycle parking; shower facilities; nearby fitness facilites (subsidized employee memberships).

BDC's work atmosphere is rated as average. At work, employees enjoy casual dress Fridays. BDC hosts a number of company-paid social events throughout the year, including 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 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 competitive compensation, BDC provides signing bonuses for some employees; defined benefit pension plan; new employee referral bonuses (to $2,000 for some positions); life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; phased-in retirement work options; interest-free loans for the purchase of home computer equipment; year-end bonuses (dependent on individual and overall financial performance); employee savings and investment plan with matching employer contributions.

BDC's health and family benefits are rated as very good. 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. Family coverage is available on the health benefits plan. Retiree coverage is also available on the health plan, with no age limit. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($300 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; fertility treatment medications; employee assistance (EAP) plan; healthclub subsidy (to $250 each year); medical equipment and supplies; physiotherapy; massage therapy; homecare; travel insurance. BDC's family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 95% of salary for 17 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave. Additional family-friendly benefits include; post-secondary academic scholarships for children of employees; flexible working hours; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); telecommuting; reduced summer hours program; 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 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 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. Exit interviews are provided for departing employees. 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 through annual recognition awards (called the President's Awards of Excellence).

BDC's training and skills development program is rated as above-average. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (Employer covers up to 100% of tuition). BDC also provides subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades programs; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; new employee orientation program; formal management training 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 above-average. Every year, BDC and its employees actively support a variety of local, national and international charitable initiatives. Employees receive paid time off to volunteer with their favourite charitable organizations. Approximately 16 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. The bank recently entered into a sponsorship agreement with the Canadian Cancer Society after surveying employees about where they would like to direct their energies and support -- and as part of this undertaking, employees have already participated in the Society's signature "Relay for Life" marathon. BDC is also a long-time supporter of the annual Centraide (United Way) campaign and the Government of Canada's Charitable Workplace Campaign as well as a number of other initiatives and employees from across the bank support numerous initiatives every year, often utilizing their 5 paid personal days for such initiatives. 2.44.