Capital District Health Authority

Capital Health's physical workplace is rated as very good. Located in Halifax's South End neighbourhood, the main hospital facility, the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, is a modern hospital that features an onsite fitness facility (with subsidized membership, treadmills, stationary bikes, stairmasters, rowing machines, weights, instructor-led classes and shower facilities); employee lounge (with comfortable seating, music, television and board games); landscaped patient gardens; nap room; religious observance room; onsite cafeteria (with healthy menus); outdoor eating area; onsite Tim Hortons; and nearby farmer's markets (June to October); secure bicycle parking; and free bicycle rentals for employees to use for travelling between hospital sites (and a chance for a little exercise).

Capital Health's work atmosphere is rated as above-average. Depending on their location, employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress daily; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams; organized social events. Established in 2007, the company-subsidized social committee organizes softball and bowling tournaments, family swimming and bowling events, and an annual variety show that feature employee-created art, music and comedy performances. Capital Health keeps employees up-to-date and gathers feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

Capital Health's financial benefits are rated as very good. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 6 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. Capital District provides defined benefit pension plan; life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance.

Capital Health's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. Capital Health's health benefits plans are managed by Medavie Blue Cross, Manulife, AXA Assurances, the the Health Association of Nova Scotia, with plans varying slightly between employee groups. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 65% of the premiums. Employees who work 15 hours per week receive coverage. The waiting period for new employees is 30 days. Employees receive full family coverage on the health benefits plan. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($150 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. CDHA's family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 93% of salary for 17 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 93% of salary for 10 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 93% of salary for 10 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave; extended unpaid parental leave option (beyond the first year). Capital Health recently developed a partnership with Kids & Company to help ensure that employees secure daycare with only 6 months of notice. Additional family-friendly benefits include; flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); compressed work week; phased-in retirement work options; and the option to move to part-time status prior to retirement.

Capital Health'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 4 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 6 weeks of vacation each year. Employees receive 5 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. (Management employees start with 4 weeks paid vacation and may receive additional sick days off).

Capital Health's employee engagement program is rated as very good. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 24 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. Exit interview provided for departing employees. Capital District recognizes employee teams who win the annual quality improvement award with the chance to attend the prestigious Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) conference in the United States (paid by Capital Health). CDHA also maintains a simple employee peer recognition programs (called Being, Doing and Caring) that lets employees formally and publicly acknowledge their co-workers for their excellent work performance. Capital Health sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 24 months); Capital Health hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 24 months).

Capital Health's training and skills development program is rated as average. In addition to its role as an academic teaching hospital affiliated with Dalhousie University, CDHA employees can take advantage of in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades programs; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; formal mentoring program; new employee orientation program; formal mangement training program.

Capital Health's community involvement program is rated as above-average. In addition to its role as a leading healthcare provider to residents in the wider community, CDHA and its employees support a variety of local community and charitable organizations. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. In a unique initiative, Capital District provides interested employees with one paid day off to volunteer for the Marguerite Centre, a residential facility for women recovering from addiction or abuse. Employees also raise funds for the annual United Way campaign and volunteer with Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia.