Compass Group Canada

Compass Group's physical workplace is rated as above-average. Compass Group employees work in a wide range of settings, from sports stadiums to remote mining locations in Canada's north. At the company's suburban head office in Mississauga, employees enjoy convenient access to not only Pearson International Airport but a nearby golf course, tennis courts, recreation centre, as well as a ravine with walking trails. Inside, the recently redesigned head office features an employee lounge (two lunch and lounge areas with comfortable seating, music, magazines and low-level lighting and restful colours to help employees enjoy a relaxing break); religious observance room; onsite cafeteria (with healthy menus items, subsidized meals and free breakfasts on Friday mornings); free Roasters coffee and tea; outdoor eating area; summer visits by an ice-cream truck; transit subsidies; free parking; and designated parking for those who car pool to work.

Compass Group's work atmosphere is rated as very good. Employees at their head office enjoy business casual dress; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams; organized social events. Across the company, regional offices host family barbeques, summer picnics, surprise breakfasts, and parties during the Christmas season. At the head office, the company-subsidized social committee organizes a variety of social events every year, including a family summer picnic(recently held at the Toronto Zoo), an annual Christmas party with food showcasing the talents of the company's executive chefs, and quarterly employee appreciation parties with fun theme-based activities, such as a make-your-own-sundae bar. Throughout the year, the company gathers employee feedback and keeps employees up-to-date through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; traditional suggestion box; email suggestion box.

Compass Group's financial benefits are rated as average. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. The company also provides signing bonuses for some employees; matching RSP contributions (up to 3.5% of salary); life & disability insurance; discounts on home computers; subsidized home Internet access; year-end bonuses for some employees; subsidized home and auto insurance; discounted auto lease rates; rebates on purchase of a hybrid car; discounted food purchase and meal reimbursement program; and corporate discounts on a variety of consumer products and services through the 'Real Advantage Program'.

Compass Group's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. Compass Group Canada's health benefits plan is managed by ClaimSecure. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 75% 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 ($200 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. A formal healthy workplace program (including regular health-related lunch-and-learns sessions), and annul flu-shot clinic held onsite. Compass Group Canada's family-friendly benefits include: maternity top-up payments (to 80% of salary for 17 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 80% of salary for 17 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 80% of salary for 17 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave. Additional family-friendly benefits include: post-secondary academic scholarships for children of employees; compassionate top-up payment (to 80% of salary for 6 weeks) while caring for a family member; flexible working hours; telecommuting; 35-hour work week (with full pay); shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); reduced summer hours program; subsidized meal plans (to 20%) for children of employees attending a post-secondary institution where Compass is the food service provider; summer job recruitment program for employees' children.

Compass Group's vacation and personal time-off are rated as 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 5 weeks of vacation each year. Employees receive 3 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence.

Compass Group's employee engagement program is rated as above-average. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 12 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. Exit interview provided for departing employees. Compass Group recognizes exceptional employee performance through of variety of recognition and financial awards, including salary increases and generous bonuses (of up to 50% of annual salary). Employees can also receive cash rewards and have the opportunity to win national recognition as well as attend an annual company-paid awards celebration. Compass Group sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 12 months); Compass Group hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

Compass Group's training and skills development program is rated as very good. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (Employers cover up to 100% of tuition). The company also supports ongoing employee career development with: subsidies for professional accreditations; financial bonuses for course completions; in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades programs; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; formal mentoring program; career planning services; new employee orientation program; formal mangement training program; cash bonuses for professional designations (up to $5000); mandatory diversity training for new managers.

Compass Group's community involvement program is rated as above-average. Compass Group Canada supports a variety of local and national charitable initiatives. 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 1,000 hours volunteering with charitable projects. Approximately 75 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. Every year, the company and its employees volunteer and raise money for a variety of charitable and community based initiatives, including The Children's Wish Foundation, Junior Achievement of Canada, T'was the Bite Before Christmas (in support of local foodbanks), the Friends of We Care/Easter Seals (which raises funds to send children living with disabilities to summer camp), and the Foundation for the Advancement of Aboriginal Youth.