Diavik Diamond Mines Inc.

Diavik's physical workplace is rated as exceptional. DDMI's head office is located in downtown Yellowknife and is housed in a renovated hardware store. The former retail space features several windows at street level that have been converted into a visitor's centre where individuals can take a self-guided tour to learn more about mining in the north and the Diavik Diamond Mine. Approximately 300 kilometres to the northeast and beyond the tree line in the Lac de Gras region, the Diavik mine site offers one the most unique and challenging work environments in this country (and the world) -- with airplane commuting for work rotations, ice-roads (open for approximately 10 weeks in the winter) to supply construction supplies, along with caribou migrations, never-ending winter nights and summer days. Most mine site employees work in two-week rotations, living at the mine for two weeks and flying-out for two weeks away. In addition to their accommodations, the mine features an onsite fitness facility (with free membership, treadmills, stationary bikes, stairmasters, rowing machines, weights, basketball court, squash courts, sauna, shower facilities and instructor-led classes, from kick-boxing to yoga); employee lounge (with comfortable seating, music, television, foosball table, table tennis, popcorn machine, drum set module, board games, pool table, and a video golf driving range and putting green system); religious observance room; onsite cafeteria (with free meals, healthy and special diet menus items, snacks, free coffee, tea and cold drinks); free parking.

Diavik's work atmosphere is rated as above-average. Depending on their position, employees enjoy casual dress daily; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams. The company's employee social committee has helped organize a variety of social and fundraising events for employees since the mine's founding, from a summer golf tournaments to the winter Diavik 150 Dog Derby event. Recently the company has opted to donate the funds it would otherwise spend on an annual Christmas party to a local charity -- recently funds were directed to the Stanton Territorial Hospital for the purchase of needed medical equipment. Throughout the year, Diavik keeps all employees informed about new company developments and upcoming events through a well-produced print company newsletter; corporate intranet site.

Diavik's financial benefits are rated as very good. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. Along with competitive compensation, employees may also receive year-end bonuses for all employees; share-purchase plan for all employees; defined contribution pension plan with employer contributions (up to 6% of salary); life & disability insurance; discounts on a variety of products and services (from Ford automobiles to airline tickets); and discounted diamond purchases.

Diavik's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. The company's health benefits plan is managed by Manulife Financial Corporation. 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. There is no waiting period before coverage begins. Employees receive full family coverage on the health benefits plan. The health plan also includes retiree coverage up to 75 years of age. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($450 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. Diavik's family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 90% of salary for 18 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave. Depending on their position, employees can also work to better balance their working and personal lives through; flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); reduced summer hours program; phased-in retirement work options.

Diavik'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 2 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 5 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can schedule 4 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. Most mine employees work 12-hour shifts in a 2-week on and 2-week off rotation. These employees also receive 2 weeks of paid vacation each year, which translates into a 6-week off rotation from the mine.

Diavik's employee engagement program is rated as 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. Exit interview provided for departing employees; Diavik sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 3 months).

Diavik's training and skills development program is rated as very good. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (Employers pay up to $5,000 in subsidies). Along with generous tuition subsidies, Diavik also provides subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades programs; in-house training programs; online training programs; career planning services.

Diavik's community involvement program is rated as exceptional. Since its establishment, the company has maintained a steady focus on supporting a variety of local community-based initiatives throughout the region. Employees receive paid time off to volunteer with their favourite charitable organizations. Employees also receive 10 paid days off to volunteer. Last year, employees donated over 1,043 hours volunteering with charitable projects. Approximately 109 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. Since the company's establishment, Diavik has donated funds, helped raise money and supplied construction expertise for the development of needed facilities across the region, including hockey arenas, social service facilities and healthcare equipment. The company also has a standing three-year commitment to the Yellowknife Community Foundation gala -- sponsoring and organizing a variety of fundraising auctions, including donating a diamond, commissioning a local artist's carving, and partnering with two local firms for fly-in fishing trips. Diavik also maintains an Aboriginal training and development program in partnership with the Southern Alberta Institute of Techology (SAIT) and manages an ongoing scholarship program that is open to northern residents (and employees' family members) from across the region -- the company has awarded over $1.7 million through 1,200 scholarships over the past decade.