Bennett Jones LLP

Bennett Jones' physical workplace is rated as above-average. The firm's Calgary office occupies the top floors of the east tower of the landmark Bankers Hall buildings, offering great views of the surrounding city and Rocky Mountains to the west. The downtown location offers convenient public transit and is also at the junction of two of the city's largest downtown malls featuring great shopping and numerous restaurants with all-weather access. Inside, the head office features an employee lounge (with comfortable seating and television), an impressive art collection that adorns the office walls (with selections made by the firm's in-house Art Committee), kitchen areas on each floor that feature fresh fruit, free coffee and tea (including single serve brewing machines), free cold beverages and after hours hot meals brought in each day for those working longer hours; nap room; concierge services available; secure bicycle parking; and subsidized memberships to a onsite fitness club.

Bennett Jones' work atmosphere is rated as above-average. On the job, employees enjoy casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams; organized social events. Operating since the firm's founding, the social committee organizes a number of fun events every year, "happy-hour" Fridays at least four times each year, a summer barbeque for all personnel, a winter ski-weekend for legal personnel, as well as an employee Christmas party and a separate event for employees' children. The firm also makes available its private box for sporting events and live concerts. In addition to a busy social calendar, Bennett Jones keeps all employees up-to-date and captures feedback through a corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

Bennett Jones' financial benefits are rated as average. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. Along with ensuring its compensation levels remain competitive, the firm provides new employee referral bonuses (to $500 for some positions); year-end bonuses for all employees; matching RSP contributions (up to 5% of salary); life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance.

Bennett Jones' health and family benefits are rated as very good. The firm's health plan is managed by Blue Cross As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. Employees who work 21 hours per week receive coverage. The waiting period for new employees is 90 days. Employees receive full family coverage on the health benefits plan. The health plan also includes retiree coverage up to 70 years of age. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; 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 (to $450 each year). Bennett Jones' family friendly benefits include; fertility treatments; maternity top-up payments (to 70% of salary for 10 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 70% of salary for 10 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 70% of salary for 10 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave. Depending on the position, employees receive recieve maternity and parental leave top up payments up to 100% for 20 weeks. Employees also receive; compassionate top-up payment (to 100% of salary for 1 week) while caring for a family member; flexible working hours; 35-hour work week (with full pay); shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); compressed work week; phased-in retirement work options; and a new flex-day program.

Bennett Jones' 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 5 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 6 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can schedule 3 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees receive 7 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence.

Bennett Jones' employee engagement program is rated as above-average. 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 interview provided for departing employees. The firm recognizes exceptional employee performance with on-the-spot awards such as sports event tickets and movie passes. The firm also hosts an annual staff appeciation week with unique activities onsite massage therapy, lunchtime movies, hot breakfasts, and daily prizes for employees. Bennett Jones sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. Bennett Jones hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

Bennett Jones' training and skills development program is rated as above-average. 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. (Employers cover up to 80% of non-related tuition). In addition to generous tuition subsidies, the firm provides subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; formal mentoring program; career planning services; new employee orientation program; formal mangement training program.

The firm supports a variety of local, national and international charitable initiatives. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Last year, employees donated over 150 hours volunteering with charitable projects. Each year, employees select a charitable organization and host a variety of fundraising initiatives, from bake sales to book fairs to 50/50 draws throughout the year to raise funds. The firm and its employees also support the United Way and last year hosted one-day fundraising events and supported the ALS Society of Canada, Juvenile Diabetes, Calgary Children's Hospital, Santa Anonymous, the Calgary Drop-in Centre, and raised money for disaster relief in Haiti and Japan.