Canadian Security Intelligence Service

CSIS' physical workplace is rated as exceptional. CSIS office headquarters are located in suburban Ottawa, within nearby public transit and highway access. When designing the head office, employees were consulted about the building's amenities and were provided with opportunities to visit the site during its construction. CSIS is currently in the process of adding a new addition that is scheduled to open in 2011 -- the new addition has been designed to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design 'Silver' certification standard. Inside, the existing head office features an onsite conference centre; onsite fitness facility (with subsidized memberships, treadmills, stationary bikes, shower facilities, stairmasters, rowing machines, weights, information and training sessions on weight training for women, beginner running classes, and nutrition workshops as well as instructor-led fitness classes in yoga, pilates, core, cardio and stretching); employee lounge (with comfortable seating and television); onsite cafeteria (marché style with healthy and special diet menus); outdoor patio with barbeque; secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies.

CSIS' work atmosphere is rated as average. On the job, head office employees at CSIS enjoy casual dress Fridays; employee sports teams. CSIS hosts a variety of social events for employees every year, including golf, softball and hockey tournaments, awards celebrations and special Christmas party for employees' children. To keep employees up-to-date, CSIS highlights agency news via a company newsletter.

CSIS' financial benefits are rated as very good. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. In addition to competitive compensation, CSIS also provides defined benefit pension plan; life & disability insurance; extensive relocation support services (from a guaranteed home sale program to language training for spouses); and a scholarship fund that awards two academic scholarships (to $1,000 each) to employees' children attending their first year of post-secondary studies.

CSIS' health and family benefits are rated as above-average. CSIS' health benefits plan is managed by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (for basic health coverage) and The Great-West Life Assurance Company (dental). As part of the health plan, the employer pays 90% of the premiums. The waiting period for new employees is 30 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; healthclub subsidy ($374 each year). The Agency'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 37 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 93% of salary for 37 weeks). Additional family-friendly benefits include: flexible working hours; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); compressed work week; phased-in retirement.

CSIS' 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 8 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees receive 15 paid sick days every year. CSIS considers previous work experience when setting annual vacation for new employees. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. As part of this program, employees can apply for unpaid personal leaves of absence (up to one year), leaves to continue their education (up to three years), for military service, to accompany a spouse who has been relocated (up to five years), and even to cover political appointments as well as to mount a campaign for elected office, should they wish to aspire to a higher office. CSIS also has a self-funded leave program that lets employees enjoy time off for pursuing personal interests while receiving previously deferred pay.

CSIS' 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. As part of the review program, employees have the opportunity to voice their feedback on their individual evaluations, helping to promote honest feedback between employees and their managers. To recognize exceptional employee performance, CSIS has a number of in-house programs, including long-service recognition awards, an 'instant' performance recognition award for individuals and groups (includes gift certificates up to $500 in value), and a merit award program to recognize exceptional performance (includes cash awards from $1,000 to $5,000). CSIS sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 24 months).

CSIS' training and skills development program is rated as exceptional. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (The employer subsidizes up to 100% of tuition). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. (The employer subsidizes up to 100% of non-related tuition). In addition to generous tuition subsidies, the agency supports ongoing employee career development with in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; formal mentoring program; new employee orientation program; formal mangement training program. In support of its in-house training program, CSIS also has an onsite training centre, a conference facility, a lecture theatre and a unique "Information Centre" with designated reading areas.

CSIS' community involvement program is rated as very good. CSIS participates in charitable initiatives through the Government of Canada's Workplace Charitable Giving Campaign, managed by the United Way / Centraide. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Employees receive paid time off to volunteer with their favourite charitable organizations. CSIS manages a "casual Friday" charitable giving program, in which 10 Fridays are used to raise funds for the Government of Canada's Workplace Charitable Giving Campaign, and nine Fridays are used to raise funds for a charitable organization nominated by an employee. Last year, CSIS raised funds for employee-led giving campaigns, including Christmas hampers, funds for breast cancer research and food banks. Every year, CSIS also recognizes those employees who have made significant efforts volunteering in the community through a unique Humanitarian Award Program, which includes public recognition and a framed certificate to honour their efforts.