George Brown College

George Brown College's physical workplace is rated as above-average. The main downtown campus (the St. James Campus) is located close to Toronto's popular Distillery District. The College's administrative offices are located in a renovated heritage building that is easily accessed via public transit. In addition, the College is currently building a new campus on the Toronto waterfront, which is scheduled to open in 2011. The main campus features an onsite fitness facility (with free memberships, treadmills, stationary bikes, shower facilities, rowing machines, weights, basketball court, and instructor-led classes in yoga and aerobics); religious observance room; onsite cafeteria (with healthy and special diet menus); secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; lounges area with television; and an onsite Tim Hortons.

George Brown College's work atmosphere is rated as very good. Employees at their main office enjoy business casual dress; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams. Every year, the College hosts an annual "President's Breakfast" gathering for all employees, an employee (and family) picnic on Toronto Island in the summer, and a gala dinner and dance during the Christmas season. Throughout the year, employees are kept informed about new developments through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site.

George Brown College's financial benefits are rated as very good. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. Most employees are unionized with salary levels determined through the collective bargaining process. In addition to their paycheques, employees receive defined benefit pension plan; life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; discounts on home computers; family tuition reimbursement policy; and a sabbatical leave program available after 7 years of employment.

George Brown College's health and family benefits are rated as exceptional. The College has separate health benefits plans for its support, administrative and academic employees. The health benefits plans are managed by Sun Life Financial. The health plan is a flexible plan with adjustable premiums and coverage levels. Employees who work 35 hours per week receive coverage. The waiting period for new employees is 30 days. Employees receive full family coverage on the health benefits plan. The health plan also includes retiree coverage up to 65 years of age. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($400 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. The College's family-friendly benefits include: maternity top-up payments (to 93% of salary for 52 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 93% of salary for 35 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 93% of salary for 35 weeks); subsidized onsite daycare; onsite daycare centre. Additional family-friendly benefits include: flexible working hours; telecommuting; 35-hour work week (with full pay); priority placements at eight daycare locations (and teaching facilities) operated by the school for children of employees. In addition, for a reasonable fee, employees can bring their families home weekly deliveries of fresh, seasonal, healthy and locally grown food, which is delivered directly to the College through the Kawartha Ecological Growers initiative.

George Brown College'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 4 years on the job. During the Christmas to New Year's holiday break, employees receive an additional 5 days off. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. (For some employee groups, including academic personnel, starting vacation entitlements are greater).

George Brown College'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. The College rewards exceptional performance through a variety of recognition awards, including peer-nominated individual and employee group awards. George Brown College sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 24 months); George Brown College hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 24 months).

George Brown College's training and skills development program is rated as exceptional. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (The employer provides up to $15,000 in subsidies). The College supports employees' ongoing career development with in-house training programs; online training programs; specialized training for classroom instructors (including software applications, personal communication, e-learning technology, and curriculum development); subsidized sabbatical leaves of absence (up to 12 months) after seven years on the job. George Brown College also provides tuition subsidies for family member of its employees.

George Brown College's community involvement program is rated as above-average. Every year, the College and its employees support a number 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. Employees also receive 1 paid day off to volunteer. Last year, employees donated over 1,222 hours volunteering with charitable projects. Approximately 12 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. The College and its employees are strong supporters of the annual United Way program -- raising over $163,000 last year for the United Way of Toronto , which directs support to over 200 social service agencies across the city. George Brown has also partnered with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in the development of the unique "Construction Craft Worker" program that provides education and training for individuals, helping to find entry-level construction jobs as well as retail position in building centres across the city. The program is now in its third year and boast over 30 graduates every year.