EllisDon's physical workplace is rated as average. While most employees work at job sites across the country and beyond, the company's suburban head office occupies four floors of an eight storey office building. Located a short drive to the Mississauga city centre, the modern building features an employee lounge (with comfortable seating and television); self-serve kitchen areas on every floor; free coffee and tea; snacks for sale (with proceeds donated to the United Way); and discounts at nearby restaurants; free parking; underground parking; and boardrooms with state-of-the-art audio-video equipment.

EllisDon's work atmosphere is rated as very good. Of course dress codes will vary with each employee's position across the firm, head office employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams. EllisDon hosts end-of-month birthday celebrations, regular team lunches, golf tournaments, an annual hockey tournament with teams from across the company, departmental end-of-the-month drinks, annual trips to major sports events, and Christmas parties at its offices across the firm, as well as special Christmas parties for employees' children. The company also offers a discounted accommodation package at the Windjammer Landing Resort for employees as well as their family and friends. The company solicits ongoing feedback and keeps employees up-to-date throughout the year with a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

EllisDon's 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 providing competitive compensation, EllisDon offers share-purchase plan for all employees; profit-sharing plan for all employees; defined contribution pension plan with employer contributions (up to 5% of salary); retirement planning assistance; phased-in retirement work options; subsidized home and auto insurance; and sports ticket giveaways and use of box seats at Rogers Centre. In a unique perk, the company also owns the Windjammer Landing Resort in St. Lucia, where it offers discounted accommodation packages for employees, family and friends.

EllisDon's health and family benefits are rated as average. The company's health plan is managed by Great West Life. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. Employees who work 20 hours per week receive coverage. The maximum waiting period for new employees is 90 days. Family coverage is available on the health benefits plan. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($400 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; fertility treatment medications; employee assistance (EAP) plan; massage therapy; travel insurance. As part of the plan, employees receive a fitness subsidy as well as lifetime coverage (to $800) for laser eye surgery. EllisDon's family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 100% of salary for 2 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 100% of salary for 2 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 100% of salary for 2 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave. Depending on the position, some employees can take advantage of; flexible working hours; telecommuting; reduced summer hours program.

EllisDon'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 6 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence.

EllisDon's 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. 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 interviews are provided for departing employees; EllisDon sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. EllisDon hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

EllisDon's 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 full tuition subsidies, EllisDon offers subsidies for professional accreditations; formal mentoring program; career planning services; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory. The company's extensive in-house training program (called EllisDon University or "EDU") offers an impressive variety of courses and programs for all employees, ranging from financial management to conflict resolution to Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) certifications.

EllisDon's community involvement program is rated as exceptional. Every year the company supports a variety of local, national and international 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. Approximately 27 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. To encourage employee philanthropy, the company has a matching grant program through which the company with match each employee charitable donation (up to $500) each year. The company also encourages employees to volunteer their time, donating $500 to the charity where employees volunteer at least 25 hours in any given year. Over the years, Ellis Don and its employees have supported numerous charitable initiatives, including the Canadian Red Cross, the London Children's Aid Society, the EllisDon Kingston Charity Golf Tournament, Surrey Memorial Hospital, Prostrate Cancer Canada, and the YWCA's Women of Distinction Awards program, to name a few.

In a notable and unique and initiative in Calgary recently -- in support of a single foster mother of 13 children -- EllisDon employees applied their considerable skills and constructed an entire addition to the crowded home. This impressive initiative has ensured that the 13 children could all live comfortably in their adopted home.