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 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.

CSIS' work atmosphere is rated as very good. On the job, head office employees at CSIS enjoy business casual dress; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; 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; corporate intranet site.

CSIS' financial benefits are rated as above-average. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. In addition to competitive compensation, CSIS also provides year-end bonuses for some employees; defined benefit pension with employer contributions (up to 16% of salary); life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; phased-in retirement work options; 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 exceptional. CSIS' health benefits plan is managed by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (for basic health coverage) and PSDCP Canada (dental). As part of the health plan, the employer pays 80% of the premiums. The maximum waiting period for new employees is 30 days. Family coverage is available on the health benefits plan. Retiree coverage is also available on the health plan, with no age limit. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($275 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; employee assistance (EAP) plan; medical equipment and supplies; physiotherapy; massage therapy; homecare; travel insurance. 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); health benefits during maternity and parental leave; extended unpaid parental leave option (beyond the first year). Additional family-friendly benefits include: post-secondary academic scholarships for children of employees; flexible working hours; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); compressed work week.

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 receive 15 paid sick days every year. Employees can schedule 9 personal days off each year, as needed. 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. Some employees start at three or four weeks of paid vacation allowance (union & non-union amounts entered).

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 process employees can provide confidential feedback on their manager's performance. Exit interviews are provided for departing employees. 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), and a merit award program to recognize exceptional performance (includes cash awards up 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. (Employer covers up to 100% of tuition). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. (Employer covers up to 100% of non-related tuition). In addition to generous tuition subsidies, the agency supports ongoing employee career development with subsidies for professional accreditations; formal mentoring program; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; new employee orientation program; formal management 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. As part of this program, employees receive 1 paid day off to volunteer. Approximately 226 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. 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. 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.