GM Canada's physical workplace is rated as above-average. The Oshawa head office is situated alongside the company's massive assembly facility and the Canadian Engineering Centre. The four storey head office offers great views of Lake Ontario and the McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve where employees can also take advantage of nature walking trails in the summer and even pond skating in the winter. Inside, the head office features onsite fitness facility (with subsidized membership, treadmills, stationary bikes, stairmasters, rowing machines, weights, shower facilities and instructor-led classes such as spin classes, pilates and core training); employee lounge (with comfortable seating and television); religious observance room; onsite cafeteria (with healthy and special diet menus and subsidized meals); outdoor eating area; secure bicycle parking; free parking.

GM Canada's work atmosphere is rated as average. On the job, and depending on their position, employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress daily; employee sports teams. Every year, the company sponsors Christmas holiday celebrations, free pizza lunches for plant employees, summer barbeque (with new automobile product displays), and even a General Motors hockey league. Across the company and across all employee groups, GM Canada keeps employees informed about new developments through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; traditional suggestion box; email suggestion box.

GM Canada's financial benefits are rated as very good. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. Along with competitive compensation for both union and non-union personnel, the company offers profit-sharing plan for all employees; signing bonuses for some employees; year-end bonuses for all employees; defined contribution pension plan with employer contributions (up to 4% of salary); life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; matching share purchase program (to 4% of salary), discounted auto lease rates; and discounted company products.

GM Canada's health and family benefits are rated as exceptional. The company's benefits plans are managed by Greensheild Canada, with separate plans for its union and non-union employee groups. Salaried - post 2006 hires entered. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 85% of the premiums. The maximum waiting period for new employees is 365 days. Family coverage is available 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; fertility treatment medications; employee assistance (EAP) plan; medical equipment and supplies; physiotherapy; massage therapy; homecare; travel insurance. GM Canada's family friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 75% of salary for 52 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 60% of salary for 37 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 60% of salary for 37 weeks); adoption assistance subsidy to $5,000 per child; health benefits during maternity and parental leave; extended unpaid parental leave option (beyond the first year); flexible working hours; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); telecommuting; earned days off (EDO) program; job-sharing program.

GM Canada's vacation and personal time-off are rated as average. New employees receive 2 weeks of vacation allowance after their first year. Vacation increases after 3 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 5 weeks of vacation each year. During the Christmas to New Year's holiday break, employees receive an additional 5 days off. Employees receive 4 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. The company also has an earned days-off program (up to 4 days each year) and employees can also purchase up to 5 additional days off.

GM Canada's employee engagement program is rated as above-average. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 6 months. Managers receive training in how to conduct effective performance reviews. Exit interviews are provided for departing employees. GM Canada acknowledges exceptional performance through variable pay program, matching share purchase program and a vehicle purchase program. The company also manages a unique suggestion program (called the A.C.E. Program) through which employees may submit suggestions for the improvement across all aspects of the company. Employees and groups who submit the best adopted ideas that lead to cost savings are eligible for cash bonuses (from $50 to $5,000) as well as monthly and quarterly draws for prizes and even the chance to win a new vehicle. GM Canada sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 3 months); GM Canada hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

GM Canada's training and skills development program is rated as exceptional. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (Employer pays up to $6,400 in subsidies). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. (Employer pays up to $2,000 in tuition subsidies). In addition to generous tuition subsidies, the company offers subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades programs; formal mentoring program; career planning services; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; new employee orientation program; formal management training program.

GM Canada's community involvement program is rated as above-average. GM Canada supports a number of local, national and international charitable initiatives, including a variety of unique community projects to assist youth education in science, technology and the environment. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Approximately 120 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. Through the company's "GM Green" initiative, the company partners with Oshawa area high schools to measure overall health of the Oshawa Creek that winds through the city. GM Canada also sponsors and mentors student teams in the FIRST Robotics competition and has partnered with EcoCAR and Challenge X, which challenges university teams to design and build vehicles of tomorrow that are powered by alternative propulsion systems. In addition, the company and its employees supported the annual United Say campaign, the Oshawa Hospital Foundation, MADD Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society, Community Wheels, and Girl Guides and Boy Scouts.