HP Advanced Solutions employees participating in a charity fundraiser
Chosen as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers, Canada's Top Family-Friendly Employers and BC's Top Employers for 2012:
By Richard Yerema and Kristina Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors
(
Oct 6, 2011)
Some of the reasons why HP Advanced Solutions was selected as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2012:
unique LEED certified head office which features an onsite meditation room for employees who require quiet time for religious observances during the day, cafeteria with healthy menus, and outdoor eating area and barbecue
encourages ongoing employee development through tuition subsidies for job-related courses, a variety of in-house and online training programs, and career planning services
let's everyone share in the company's success with year-end bonuses and a share purchase plan available to all employees
in addition to paid personal days-off, starts new employees at three weeks of paid vacation allowance
supports employees who are new mothers with maternity leave top-up payments (to 85% of salary for 15 weeks), followed by parental top-up (to 75% of salary for 35 weeks) -- also provides parental leave top-up payments to new fathers and adoptive parents
an industry leader that helps older employees transition into retirement with phased-in retirement work options, assistance with succession planning, and the stability of a defined benefit pension plan
Employer Background
HP Advanced Solutions Inc., a subsidiary of HP Canada, is an information and technology outsourcing company.
Formerly operating as EDS Advanced Solutions Inc., the company provides information technology services for the British Columbia public sector. The company's services include application development outsourcing, application modernization, contact centre outsourcing, custom application development, hosting services, and managing server infrastructure. Established in 2004, the company has a strong record of ongoing job creation in one of Canada's most liveable cities.
Industry: Computer Systems Design Services.
Established: 2004.
Parent company: HP Canada.
Full-time employees in Canada: 401.
Part-time employees in Canada: 5.
New jobs created in Canada last year: 24.
Voluntary employee turnover last year: 6%.
Longest serving employee: 36 years.
Workforce engaged on a contract basis: 14%.
Number of applications received at this location last year: 1,000.
Percentage of employees who are women: 59.3%.
Of managers: 49.12%.
Of directors: 35.71%.
Percentage of employees who are visible minorities: 14.9%.
Average age of all employees: 44.
Rating: A+Physical Workplace
HP Advanced Solutions' physical workplace is rated as exceptional. The company's suburban head office is located in Vancouver Island Technology Park, within minutes of additional local parks including Layritz Park, Elk and Beaver Lake, forested walking trails, and bird sanctuary. The building is one of the first in Canada to receive LEED gold certification and is situated just off the highway. Inside, the head office features an employee lounge (with foosball table); religious observance room; onsite cafeteria (featuring healthy menus); secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; outdoor eating area and barbecue; and a Starbucks coffee outlet. Nearby local amenities include Common Place and Pacific Sports Institute, Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, and Camosun College.
Rating: AWork Atmosphere & Communications
HP Advanced Solutions' work atmosphere is rated as above-average. On the job, employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams; organized social events. Operating since 2004, the company-subsidized Social Charity Community organizes social events for employees throughout the year including an annual employee and family barbecue, annual anniversary celebration recognition event, Soapbox Derby, and Bike to Work Week. Employees also organize their own events such as paint ball, golf tournament, zip lining, kayaking, mini-golf, and skiing. Employees are kept up-to-date on company developments and provide feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.
Rating: A+Financial Benefits & Compensation
HP Advanced Solutions' financial benefits are rated as exceptional. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. In addition to offering competitive compensation, HP Advanced Solutions offers year-end bonuses for all employees; year-end bonuses (to $35,000); share-purchase plan for all employees; defined benefit pension with employer contributions (up to 9.38% of salary); life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; subsidized home Internet access; and discounted company products.
Rating: AHealth & Family-Friendly Benefits
HP Advanced Solutions' health and family benefits are rated as above-average. The company's health benefits plan is managed by Manulife. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. Employees who work 1 hour per week receive coverage. The waiting period for new employees is 180 days. Employees receive full family coverage on the health benefits plan. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($250 every 2 years); alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. HP Advanced Solutions' family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 75% of salary for 35 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 75% of salary for 35 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 75% of salary for 35 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave; extended unpaid parental leave option (beyond the first year). (Note: New mothers also receive a maternity top-up payment to 85% for the first 15 weeks of their leave.) Additional family-friendly benefits include; flexible working hours; 35-hour work week (with full pay); shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); compressed work week; earned days off (EDO) program; phased-in retirement work options.
Rating: B+Vacation & Personal Time-Off
HP Advanced Solutions' 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 10 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 7 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can schedule 10 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees receive 6 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence.
Rating: AEmployee Engagement
HP Advanced Solutions' employee engagement program is rated as above-average. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 4 months. Informal progress reviews are also held during the year. 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 interview provided for departing employees. The company operates a formal rewards and recognition program through which employees are nominated each year in the following categories: community impact, employee excellence, leadership excellence, starting strong, team excellence, and workplace wellness. HP Advanced Solutions also offers monthly "Above and Beyond" awards based on colleague nominations. HP Advanced Solutions sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 12 months).
Rating: ATraining & Skills Development
HP Advanced Solutions' training and skills development program is rated as above-average. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (Employers cover up to 100% of tuition). In addition to tuition subsidies, the company provides subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; career planning services; new employee orientation program; formal mangement training program. HP Advanced Solutions recently completed the development of an Intellectual Resource Library (employee skills inventory), allowing managers to search for employees with specific skills and certifications.
Rating: B+Community Involvement
HP Advanced Solutions' community involvement program is rated as very good. HP Advanced Solutions and its employees support a variety of local charitable organizations. 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 14 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. In the past year, employees supported numerous charitable initiatives including the Needs Crisis and Information Line, Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre, Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival Association, BC Children's Hospital Foundation, Alzheimer Society of BC, and the United Way of Greater Victoria.
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