Ericsson Canada Inc.

Ericsson Canada's physical workplace is rated as exceptional. The company's suburban head office offers a high-technology Swedish style complete with professionally landscaped gardens a great view of the mountain and spectacular sunsets. The head office also features an onsite fitness facility (with free memberships, treadmills, stationary bikes, stairmasters, rowing machines, weights, instructor-led classes, personal trainer services and shower facilities); employee lounge (with comfortable seating and television); onsite daycare centre; library; onsite ATM; religious observance room; concierge services available; onsite cafeteria (with health menu items, special diet menus and subsidized meals); kitchen areas on every floor; free coffee and tea; secure bicycle parking; free parking.

Ericsson Canada's work atmosphere is rated as very good. On the job, employees can take advantage of a concierge service casual dress daily; casual dress Fridays; employee sports teams. Every year, the company sponsors a Christmas party, departmental socials, project completion celebrations, offsite meetings, and Santa Lucia (which is a Swedish holiday tradition). Ericsson Canada captures ongoing feedback and keeps employees up-to-date through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

Ericsson Canada's financial benefits are rated as above-average. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. In addition to ensure that its pay levels remain competitive, Ericsson Canada provides signing bonuses for some employees; new employee referral bonuses (to $1,000 for some positions); year-end bonuses (to $5,250); share-purchase plan for all employees; defined contribution pension plan with employer contribution (up to 4% of salary); life & disability insurance; discounts on company products.

Ericsson Canada's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. The company's health plan is managed by Manulife Financial 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 basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($200 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. Ericsson's family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 65% of salary for 17 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to % of salary for 65 weeks); subsidized onsite daycare; onsite daycare centre; with 54 spaces; 11 childcare workers; and a 18 month waiting list for available spaces. (Daycare services are subsidized through Québec's provincial daycare program.) Additional family-friendly benefits include; flexible working hours; earned days off (EDO) program.

Ericsson Canada'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 schedule 3 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees receive 10 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence.

Ericsson Canada's employee engagement program is rated as above-average. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 4 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. Ericsson Canada rewards exceptional performance with on-the-spot recognition bonuses as well as short- and long- term incentive bonuses. Ericsson Canada sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 12 months); Ericsson Canada hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

Ericsson Canada's training and skills development program is rated as exceptional. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (The employer subsidizes up to 100% of tuition). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. (The employer subsidizes up to 100% of non-related tuition). In addition to generous tuition subsidies, the company also encourages ongoing development with in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades internships; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; formal mentoring program; new employee orientation program; formal mangement training program.

Ericsson Canada's community involvement program is rated as very good. The company supports a variety of local and international charities. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Approximately 13 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. Ericsson and its employees supported the annual Centraide (United Way) campaign, the Montréal Children's Hospital, the Starlight Foundation, the MS Society and the Canadian Cancer Society, to name a few.