Canadian Institutes of Health Research

CIHR's physical workplace is rated as very good. CIHR's central office is located in Place Bell, once of the tallest buildings in downtown Ottawa. Their head office features a nap room; religious observance room; onsite cafeteria (with healthy menu items); self-serve kitchen areas; secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; shower facilities for bicycle commuters; convenient access to the Rideau Canal (for riverside walks during the summer, and ice skating in the winter); close proximity to restaurants, shopping areas and the Byward Market.

CIHR's work atmosphere is rated as very good. Employees at their central office enjoy business casual dress; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; organized social events. Every year, employees enjoy an employee Christmas party as well as a separate children's Christmas party, a summer picnic and a Rideau Canal skating party in the winter. Last year, the company-subsidized social committee organized the second annual "Breakfast Served by Managers" event, where nearly 200 employees were treated to a free breakfast, with pancakes, fruit salad, breads and coffee baked goods -- all served by management personnel. The agency keeps employees up-to-date and gathers feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

CIHR'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. CIHR provides year-end bonuses for all employees; year-end bonuses (to $8,723); defined benefit pension with employer contribution (up to 8.4% of salary); life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance.

CIHR's health and family benefits are rated as exceptional. CIHR's health benefits plan is managed by Sun Life and Great West Life. 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. Employees who work 12 hours per week receive coverage. The waiting period for new employees is 20 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 ($275 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. The CIHR's family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 93% of salary for 52 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 93% of salary for 35 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 93% of salary for 35 weeks). Additional family-friendly benefits include; flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); compressed work week; earned days off (EDO) program; phased-in retirement.

CIHR'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 8 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 6 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can schedule 7 personal days off each year, as needed. During the Christmas to New Year's holiday break, employees receive an additional 3 days off. Employees receive 15 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence.

CIHR's employee engagement program is rated as above-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. CIHR recognizes exceptional performance with a pay-for-performance program, spot rewards to individuals or teams (from $500 to $1000), and employee-nominated awards (from $5,000 to $10,000). CIHR sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 12 months); CIHR hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 24 months).

CIHR's training and skills development program is rated as above-average. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. In addition to subsidies, the CIHR supports ongoing employee 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; career planning services; new employee orientation program; formal mangement training program. CIHR holds an annual leadership retreat, where nearly 100 employees from all management levels discuss how to improve their team leadership skills and address the findings of 360 degree feedback reports. The agency also recently created a formal Developmental Financial Officer succession management program for employees specializing in corporate planning, reporting and analysis, policy, and financial monitoring areas. CIHR encourages all participants to work towards a CMA, CGA or other professional designation, or obtain a related graduate degree.

CIHR's community involvement program is rated as above-average. CIHR supports local, national and international charitable organizations through the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (Last year, employees raised more than $70,000 for employee-selected charities supported by the campaign); Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Employees receive paid time off to volunteer with their favourite charitable organizations. Employees also receive 1 paid day off to volunteer. Last year, employees donated over 1,057 hours volunteering with charitable projects. Approximately 100 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. CIHR employees also raised funds for the CURE breast cancer foundation through their national denim day event. The agency also supported the unique "Soles4Souls" charity, providing over 200 pairs of shoes to families in need around the world.