Georgian College

Georgian's physical workplace is rated as exceptional. The main campus (the Barrie campus) is conveniently located within minutes of the city's waterfront parks as well as within walking distance to Little Lake. The college recently completed construction of a new Centre for Health and Wellness, which is home to the college's health and wellness programs. The impressive facility includes classrooms and labs for students as well as a number of student-run health clinics with subjects such as oral health, massage therapy and speech, language and hearing services. The main campus features a fully-equipped gymnasium (with volleyball and basketball courts, climbing wall, suspended running track and sauna); employee lounge (with comfortable seating, fireplace, music, television, table tennis and pool table); religious observance room; onsite cafeteria (with healthy and special diet menus and subsidized meals); secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; walking trails, outdoor courtyards and barbecue, soccer and baseball fields, onsite Tim Hortons and Pizza Pizza, Native Education Centre and Art Gallery.

Georgian's work atmosphere is rated as very good. Employees at the main campus enjoy business casual dress; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams. The college hosts an annual "Georgian Day" in June, gathering staff from across all campuses for an address by the college's President and to participate in social and recreational activities. Employees also direct and organize an annual variety show to raise money for student bursaries, with both staff and students performing at the event. Throughout the year, employees are kept up to date on new developments through a weekly newsletter and corporate intranet site.

Georgian'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. Salary levels of unionized employees are determined through the collective bargaining process. Employees also receive defined benefit pension plan; life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance.

Georgian's health and family benefits are rated as exceptional. The college has separate health benefits plans for various employee groups. The health benefits plans are managed by Sun Life Insurance. 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. 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 with no age limit. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($300 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. The college's family-friendly benefits include: fertility treatments; maternity top-up payments (to 93% of salary for 52 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 93% of salary for 37 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 93% of salary for 37 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave; extended unpaid parental leave option (beyond the first year); onsite daycare centre; with 104 spaces; 19 childcare workers; and a 6 month waiting list for available spaces; pre-arranged emergency short-term daycare. Additional family-friendly benefits include: compassionate top-up payment (to 100% of salary for 2 weeks) while caring for a family member; flexible working hours; telecommuting; 35-hour work week (with full pay); shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); reduced summer hours program; compressed work week; earned days off (EDO) program; phased-in retirement work options.

Georgian'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 9 years on the job. Employees can schedule 5 personal days off each year, as needed. During the Christmas to New Year's holiday break, employees receive an additional 6 days off. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. Employees may also defer a portion of their salary in order to take a pre-paid leave of absence.

Georgian's employee engagement program is rated as above-average. 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 interview provided for departing employees. The college rewards exceptional performance through service awards and the "Board of Governor's Awards of Excellence", which allows employees to nominate their peers for their contributions to the college. Georgian sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 12 months); Georgian hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 24 months).

Georgian's training and skills development program is rated as very good. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (Employers cover up to 50% of tuition). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. (Employers pay up to $300 in tuition subsidies for non-related courses). In addition, the college supports ongoing development through subsidies for professional accreditations; financial bonuses for course completions; in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades programs; in-house training programs; online training programs; career planning services; professional development days and onsite career resource centre.

Georgian's community involvement program is rated as above-average. Each year, the college supports 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 participate in several fundraising events on campus including activities for MS Walk, Cancer Research, and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB). Employees may also arrange to have a portion of their payroll donated to United Way. The college hosts an annual "Shinerama Day" to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis and supports the Barrie and District Christmas Cheer Association by donating food, toys and money to support families in need.