Export Development Canada

EDC's physical workplace is rated as above-average. Most of EDC's employees work at its head office, located in an office tower in downtown Ottawa. The building is only a short walk to the grounds of Parliament Hill and the city's popular ByWard Market. Inside, the head office features an onsite fitness facility (with free memberships and instructor-led classes); employee lounge (recently renovated with meeting rooms, an open lounge area, café area and a large kitchen area with televisions); onsite cafeteria; secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; nearby public transit; onsite banking machine.

EDC's work atmosphere is rated as very good. Throughout the year, employees enjoy business casual dress; employee sports teams; organized social events. The social committee organizes lunch-hour seminars and fun activities throughout the year, including a summer recreation day (which includes a golf game), an annual dinner-dance and a Christmas party for employees' children. EDC also sponsors an employee squash league, skiing and snowboarding club, tennis club and a dragonboat racing team. The company keeps employees up-to-date and captures valuable feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

EDC'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. In addition to competitive compensation, EDC provides new employee referral bonuses (to $500 for some positions); year-end bonuses for all employees; defined benefit pension with employer contribution (up to 2% of salary); life & disability insurance; subsidized auto insurance.

EDC's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. EDC's health benefits plan is managed by Great-West Life. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. Employees who work 15 hours per week receive coverage. There is no waiting period before coverage begins. Employees receive full family coverage on the health benefits plan. In addition to their basic health benefits, employees receive an annual healthcare spending account (to $900 each year) and infertility treatment subsidies (to $20,000 per employee.) EDC also pays the health insurance premiums for retired employees. EDC's family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 95% of salary for 26 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 95% of salary for 18 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 95% of salary for 18 weeks). Additional family friendly benefits include; compassionate top-up payment (to 95% of salary for 8 weeks) while caring for a family member; flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); compressed work week; job-sharing.

EDC's 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 8 years on the job. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. Each year, EDC also provides employees with a paid holiday shutdown from Christmas to New Year's.

EDC'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. Employees can also provide confidential feedback through an employee committee ("Sounding Board") and an administrators' advisory committee. Exceptional performance is recognized through individual and group awards, including lunches, dinners, and passes for movie and other recreational activities. In addition, employees can nominate their colleagues for special recognition awards. EDC hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 24 months).

EDC's training and skills development program is rated as above-average. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. EDC also assists employee development with subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; formal mentoring program; management succession planning. As part of its in-house training program, EDC employs eight onsite language teachers who offer employees training in English, French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic. The company also hosts an annual 'Multiculturalism Day' to develop awareness and promote equal opportunities amongst its increasingly diverse workforce. EDC recently hosted its first annual internal career fair, providing an opportunity to meet fellow employees, the event provided everyone with an opportunity to learn more about other career possibilities within the organization.

EDC's community involvement program is rated as exceptional. EDC actively supports a variety of local, national and international charitable initiatives. Employees also receive 2 paid days off to volunteer. Last year, employees donated over 2,050 hours volunteering with charitable projects. Approximately 11 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. Last year, EDC and its employees suppported L'Arche Ottawa, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, the Ottawa Hospital Foundation and the Untied Way. As part of its support for the United Way campaign, the company funds a 16 week secondment to encourage one of its employees to work directly with the charity in planning and managing its annual campaign in the National Capital Region. In addition to operating a major summer student program (with over 75 students hired every year), the company works closely with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, the National Educational Association of Disabled Students and Line 1000 (which provides employment services for disabled individuals). Through these partnerships, disabled individuals who are preparing to enter the workforce attend half-day education sessions and participate in practice interviews with recruitment personnel at the company's head office.

EDC also maintains a scholarship program as part of its youth education and employment strategy. Under the program, annual scholarships (to $3,000 each) are awarded to undergraduate students across Canada studying international business or economics. This unique charitable program is a key component of EDC's community investment strategy in Canada, focusing on youth and trade education. In recognition of its international role and in response to employee feedback, EDC recently announced a new international investment initiative that includes the adoption of micro-financing in regional and developing markets. The goal of micro-financing is to contribute to the alleviation of poverty through the adoption of micro-financing principles to provide funds where they are needed most.

As part of its growing environmental awareness, EDC has adopted a number of new environmentally focused initiatives. The company provides a matching subsidy to the Federal Government's tax credit for its public transit commuters, reducing the cost of a transit pass by one third. The company recently established a 'Green Team' to assess its own carbon footprint and seek ways to reduce its carbon footprint and is currently planning its move to a new head office that will meet or excced the builders LEED Silver certification.