Halifax Herald Limited, The

Halifax Herald's physical workplace is rated as above-average. The Halifax Herald's head office occupies six floors of a modern office building with floor-to-ceiling windows offering great views of Halifax's Northwest Arm. As part of the planning process prior to moving, the company established an employee committee to provide feedback on everything from location to workplace amenities. Located in a park-like setting, the head office features onsite fitness facility (that is operated by a joint staff and tenant committee and features treadmills, stationary bikes, weights, shower facilities); employee lounge (with flat screen television and comfortable couches); private room for employees to make phone calls; gallery space where employees can work quietly; onsite cafeteria (with healthy menus); outdoor picnic tables; secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; free coffee and tea; onsite daycare (operated by an independent company).

Halifax Herald's work atmosphere is rated as average. Halifax Herald employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; organized social events. The company-subsidized social committee helps to organize a variety of events every year, including a holiday family party at Christmas (with skating, lunch, cookie decorating and gifts from Santa for employees' children) and an annual awards luncheon. The company keeps employees informed about new developments through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site.

Halifax Herald's financial benefits are rated as average. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. The company also provides year-end bonuses for all employees; year-end bonuses (to $100); defined benefit pension with employer contribution (up to 5% of salary); life & disability insurance; group rates on auto and home insurance; discounted company products (including newspaper subscriptions classified advertising, company merchandise); and bursaries (to $1,000) for children of employees pursuing post-secondary education.

Halifax Herald's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. The Halifax Herald's health benefits plan is managed by Manulife Financial and ACE INA. Employees enroll in one of three benefit plans, which offer varying contribution levels (from 50% to 90%) and coverages for single employees, employees with spouses and employees with families. As part of each plan, employees have the opportunity to transfer unused benefits to a healthcare spending account (for additional coverage), invest the proceeds in their RSP or take the money as taxable income. The health plan is a flexible plan with adjustable premiums and coverage levels. The waiting period for new employees is 90 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; eyecare ($250 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; travel insurance. Eyecare coverage (from no coverage to $250 every 2 years), depending on plan selected. Employees also have access to an Employee Assistance (EAP) plan. The company's family-friendly benefits include: maternity top-up payments (to 100% of salary for 2 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 100% of salary for 2 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 100% of salary for 2 weeks); onsite daycare centre. (The onsite daycare centre is operated by a outside service provider.) 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; 35-hour work week (with full pay); shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); compressed work week; earned days off (EDO) program; academic bursaries (to $1,000) for employees' children pursuing post-secondary education.

Halifax Herald's vacation and personal time-off are rated as very good. New employees receive 3 weeks of vacation allowance after their first year. Vacation increases after 8 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 7 weeks of vacation each year. Halifax Herald considers previous work experience when setting annual vacation for new employees. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. Employees can also take advantage of a deferred compensation leave program, allowing employees to defer a percentage of their pay and receive it during their leave of absence. Every year, all employees receive their birthday off with pay.

Halifax Herald's employee engagement program is rated as average. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 12 months. Managers receive training in how to conduct effective performance reviews. As part of the review process employees can provide confidential feedback on their manager's performance. The Herald recognizes it exceptional sales staff with a variety of performance-based incentives, such as free trips. Halifax Herald sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey.

Halifax Herald's training and skills development program is rated as very good. 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, the Halifax Herald offers employees subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; recognition rewards for those who complete degree programs; first-aid and CPR training.

Halifax Herald's community involvement program is rated as exceptional. The Halifax Herald actively supports a variety of local 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. Approximately 200 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. Last year, the Herald and its employees supported the Angel Trees at Christmas, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, the William Dennis Fund for Epilepsy Research, the MS Society and the United Way, to name a few.

In addition, the Halifax Herald pays the administrative costs for three major Nova Scotian charities, including the Bill Lynch Memorial Fund (assists people living in group homes), the Rainbow Haven Opportunities Fund (supports educational and sports activities for underprivileged children), and the Goodfellows Club (helps families in need at Christmas). In a unique initiative, the Halifax Herald also helps several important charities reach people across the province by providing free advertising placements.

In a creative and unique charitable initiative, reporters and newspaper staff produced an impressive book to record the devastation left by Hurricane Juan after it swept through the region in 2003. The publication includes eye-opening photographs and personal stories from Nova Scotians affected by the storm. All proceeds from the sale of the book were donated to the Canadian Red Cross. In a similar initiative, the Herald recently sent a reporter and photographer to Afghanistan to bear witness to the ongoing struggles as seen through the eyes of Canadian soldiers. The resulting compilation was published in book form with all proceeds being donated to the Military Family Resource Centres in Atlantic Canada.