Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Limited

Gay Lea Foods' physical workplace is rated as average. The co-operative's suburban head office is located near Pearson International Airport, offering convenient highway access and onsite parking for commuters. The building's interior is decorated with dairy-themed antiques and handmade quilts purchased at cancer fundraisers throughout the year. Inside, the head office features an employee lounge (with comfortable seating); free parking; fully-equipped kitchens (stove, refrigerator, oven, dishwasher); free milk, hot chocolate and cottage cheese snacks for employees; walking distance to the ski hill, soccer fields, tennis courts and hiking trails of Centennial Park; next door to a baseball diamond and tennis courts at Max Ward park.

Gay Lea Foods' 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. Gay Lea's social committee (funded by the co-operative and in operation since 1972) organizes events throughout the year, such as the dinner and dance holiday party, an annual shinny game, and a yearly shortbread baking/decorating contest during Christmas. The co-operative also marks project completions and the coming of the year-end audit period with celebratory dinners. Gay Lea foods captures feedback and keeps employees up-to-date through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

Gay Lea Foods' 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 ensuring competitive compensation rates, Gay Lea provides signing bonuses for some employees; new employee referral bonuses (to $500 for some positions); year-end bonuses for all employees; share-purchase plan for all employees; profit-sharing plan for all employees; matching RSP contributions (up to 5% of salary); life & disability insurance; Gay Lea products available at cost for employees; discounted products from Ivanhoe Cheese brand; loans for home computer purchases at company bank rate.

Gay Lea Foods' health and family benefits are rated as very good. Gay Lea's health benefits plan is managed by the Co-operators. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. Employees who work 35 hours per week receive coverage. 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 with no age limit. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($250 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. Gay-Lea Foods' family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 100% of salary for 17 weeks); adoption assistance subsidy to $2,500 per child. Additional family-friendly benefits include; flexible working hours; telecommuting; 35-hour work week (with full pay); reduced summer hours program; compressed work week.

Gay Lea Foods' vacation and personal time-off are rated as average. New employees receive 2 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 receive 1 personal day off, as scheduled by their employer. Employees receive 15 paid sick days every year. Gay Lea Foods considers previous work experience when setting annual vacation for new employees.

Gay Lea Foods' employee engagement program is rated as average. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 12 months. 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. Gay Lea recently revised their performance management process, with performance-related feedback collected from managers and peers every year. Employees and managers choose individuals to participate in reviews of each employee's performance. Every three months, employee progress toward performance goals is assessed. The co-operative rewards exceptional performance with bonuses. Gay Lea Foods hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys.

Gay Lea Foods' training and skills development program is rated as above-average. 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 tuition subsidies, Gay Lea also provides subsidies for professional accreditations; financial bonuses for course completions; in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades internships; in-house training programs.

Gay Lea Foods' community involvement program is rated as above-average. Gay Lea Foods and its employees support a variety of local and international charities. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Every three years, Gay Lea makes a funding commitment to an international project through the Co-operative Development Foundation (the fundraising arm of the Canadian Co-operative Association). For every dollar Gay Lea raises, $3 are donated by the Canadian International Development Agency to fund projects overseas. To date, the co-operative has raised over $250,000, which translates into over $1 million dollars donated to development projects in El Salvador, Nepal and Ghana. Gay Lea is also committed to projects here at home, especially those dedicated to preserving Ontario's agricultural heritage. Last year, the co-operative purchased the contents of the Dairy Heritage Museum in Aylmer, Ontario. Plans are currently underway to establish a new museum.