Cameco Corporation

Cameco 's physical workplace is rated as average. Cameco manages four work sites in northern Canada as well as three work sites in central Ontario, in addition to their corporate headquarters in Saskatoon. At he head office (and at some other locations), employees can take advantage of an onsite fitness facility (with free memberships, weights, treadmills; stationary bikes, rowing machines, weights, instructor-led classes, shower facilities); employee lounge (with television and video games); large training centre with with computer lab and lecture theatre; nap room; onsite cafeteria (with healthy menus); free coffee and tea; secure bicycle parking; free parking.

Cameco 's work atmosphere is rated as very good. Depending their position and location, employees enjoy casual dress Fridays; employee sports teams; organized social events. Across the company, employees gather for holiday parties at Christmas, pancake breakfasts, summer barbeques and to attend local sporting events. Recently, Cameco celebrated its 20th anniversary with special events at each site, from traditional fall dinners to summer barbeuqes, for employees and their families. Each event was hosted by the company's CEO and was free for all attendees. The company keeps employees up-to-date and gathers feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

Cameco '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. Cameco provides signing bonuses for some employees; year-end bonuses for all employees; year-end bonuses (to $73,830); share-purchase plan for all employees; defined contribution pension plan; matching RSP contributions (up to 6% of salary); life & disability insurance; (Employees choose between the matching RSP plan or a defined contribution pension plan).

Cameco 's health and family benefits are rated as very good. Cameco has four separate health plans that offering varying levels of coverage, depending on the employee gourp. The health benefit plans are managed by Sun Life Financial. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. The waiting period for new employees is 42 days. 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 ($350 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. For some employees there is no waiting period and for those with the flexible health plan option, employees can apply their unused credits towards a health care spending account and for wellness-related expenses, such as gym memberships or sports team registration fees. The company's family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 100% of salary for 6 weeks). Additional family-friendly benefits include; flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); compressed work week; phased-in retirement; scholarship program for employees' children, offering 40 annual scholarships (to $2500 each) for those pursuing post-secondary studies in Canada, the USA or Australia.

Cameco '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 8 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 5 weeks of vacation each year. Employees receive 4 personal days off, as scheduled by their employer. During the Christmas to New Year's holiday break, employees receive an additional 3 days off. Employees receive 8 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. Employees working at remote work sites receive 4.2 weeks (21 days) paid vacation time upon hire, which increases to 5.6 weeks (28 days) after five years on the job.

Cameco '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. The company recognizes exceptional performance (for union and non-union employees) plan that is based on corporate and group performance. Top performing and long serving employees may also have the opportunity participate in the company's share option program. Cameco sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. Cameco hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

Cameco 's training and skills development program is rated as exceptional. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. Cameco also supports employees' career development with subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades internships; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; formal mentoring program; career planning services; onsite Learning Centres at the Rabbit Lake, Key Lake, and McArthur River sites, with courses that range from tutorial assistance for apprenticeship candidates to General Education Development (GED) test preparation. The company also provides two types of education leaves: a short-term leave option of up to two days per month, usually reserved for study time or exam preparation time, or an extended paid education leave of up to 35 days per year. Cameco also manages a formal career transition program for employees at their northern Saskatchewan sites. The program gives high-potential employees the chance to pursue post-secondary education in an operations- or mining-related field (e.g. geology, chemistry, engineering). Employees with a highschool diploma (or equivalent) or some level of post-secondary studies are eligible to enrol. Program participants receive up to 80% of their annual salary during their period of study, in addition to subsidies for tuition, registration-related fees, and books. They are also provided with employment during school breaks, and are guaranteed a job in their new profession when they complete their program of study.

Cameco 's community involvement program is rated as above-average. Every year, he company supports a number of local and national charitable organizations. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Employees receive paid time off to volunteer with their favourite charitable organizations. Last year, employees donated over 1,500 hours volunteering with charitable projects. Approximately 821 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. Cameco sponsors an annual radiothon to raise funds for the Children's Hospital in Saskatchewan, and more than 200 employees volunteered to beautify their neighbourhoods as part of the company's Earth Day challenge last year. The company and its employees also support the United Way (with matching company donations), Habitat for Humanity and the Canadian Blood Services, hosting annual onsite blood drives.