BioWare ULC

BioWare's physical workplace is rated as exceptional. The company's head office is located close to one of Edmonton's most fashionable restaurant and shopping districts. The mid-town location also provides convenient access to major highways for commuters. Inside, the company provides ergonomic assessments for individual workstations and occupies four custom-designed floors onsite fitness facility (which is located in the same building and offers free memberships for employees and discounted memberships for their family members); employee lounge (with comfortable seating, television, music, classic arcade games, approximately 800 video games in the library, pool table, foosball, table tennis and an adjacent patio for summer barbeques); a separate video gaming lounge; kitchen areas on each floor (with healthy breakfasts, cappucino and coffee machines, snacks, juices and ice cream); a 40-person theatre located on the main floor that employees can use; an onsite pub (with table reserved every Friday); free dinners and hotel rooms for employees working late; secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; free parking; and walking distance to a variety of great restaurants.

BioWare's work atmosphere is rated as exceptional. Throughout the year, employees enjoy casual dress daily; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams. Every year the company hosts a variety of fun social events, including a family holiday party at Christmas (with over 300 attendees), an evening Christmas party for employees and their guests, summer family (and friends) barbeque, new game release parties, weekly playdates for mothers with young children, as well as a variety of themed social events to celebrate holidays and special events throughout the year. BioWare keeps employees informed of company news and encourages employee feedback through a corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

BioWare's financial benefits are rated as very good. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. Along with ensuring that its pay levels remain competitive, BioWare provides new employee referral bonuses (to $1,200 for some positions); year-end bonuses for all employees; share-purchase plan for all employees; matching RSP contributions (up to 6% of salary); life & disability insurance; discounts on home computers; discounted company products.

BioWare's health and family benefits are rated as average. BioWare's health benefits plan is managed by Industrial Alliance. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. Employees who work 25 hours per week receive coverage. There is no waiting period before coverage begins. Employees receive full family coverage on the health benefits plan. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($100 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance; healthclub subsidy ($200 each year). Bioware's family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 100% of salary for 8 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 100% of salary for 1 week); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 100% of salary for 1 week). BioWare's family-friendly benefits include: flexible working hours; telecommuting.

BioWare's vacation and personal time-off are rated as above-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 4 weeks of vacation each year. During the Christmas to New Year's holiday break, employees receive an additional 7 days off. Employees receive 10 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. The maxium duration for unpaid leaves of absence is 6 months. In addition to their paid vacation, employees can receive up to a week of vacation upon project completions. Bioware also provides full-time employees with a 7-week paid sabbatical after 7 years on-the-job as well as a 5-week paid sabbatical after 12 years of employment.

BioWare's employee engagement program is rated as average. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 6 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. To recognize exceptional work performance, Bioware operates an annual bonus program that is jointly based upon company performance as well as individual and group performance. Employees may also receive share options that are also based on their job performance. BioWare sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 24 months).

BioWare's training and skills development program is rated as average. The company assists employees' career development with in-house training programs; online training programs; new employee orientation program; new employee "buddy" program in some departments; a formal MBA Reading Group and follow-up discussion forum.

BioWare's community involvement program is rated as average. BioWare supports a variety of local charitable initiatives. The company and its employees have a longstanding relationship with the University of Alberta's computer science department, presenting lectures and sharing knowledge with the next generation of home-grown developers. Every year, employees also volunteer with the Stollery Children's Hospital Snowflake Gala, setting-up a video game lounge for the children. The company has also recently introduced a charitable component to many of its staff functions, raising over $1,200 last year for charity as part of its lunch and barbeque celebrations.