High Liner Foods Inc.

High Liner Foods' physical workplace is rated as very good. The company's head office is also home one of its primary manufacturing facilities. Located in historic Lunenburg, the location offers employees the opportunity to live and work in one of the country's most beautiful coastal communities as well as one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. The waterfront location offers great views of the Atlantic Ocean as well as direct access to great restaurants and pubs, walking trails and beautiful beaches. Inside, the head office features employee lounge (with comfortable seating and music); secure bicycle parking; free parking.

High Liner Foods' work atmosphere is rated as average. On the job, and depending on the position, employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working. The company also organizes a number of social events throughout the year, including a holiday party during the Christmas season, an employee appreciation barbeque in the summer, a Halloween costume contest, and an annual golf tournament (called the President's Cup). Employees are also kept up-to-date about new company developments and news through a corporate intranet site.

High Liner Foods' 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. In addition to ensuring competitive compensation rates, employees receive defined contribution pension plan with employer contributions (up to 6% of salary); life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; discounted frozen food products (for employees and retirees); fleet vehicle program (for sales and senior employees); year-end bonuses for some employees.

High Liner Foods' health and family benefits are rated as above-average. The company's health benefits plan is managed by Sun Life Financial. The health plan is a flexible plan with adjustable premiums and coverage levels. There is no waiting period before coverage begins. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; eyecare ($150 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance; healthclub subsidy (to $240 each year). As part of the flexible plan, employees can transfer their used credits in a savings plan or withdraw as taxable income. High Liner Foods' family friendly benefits include fertility drug treatments (as part of the enhanced flexible benefits plan); maternity top-up payments (to 95% of salary for 12 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 95% of salary for 12 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 95% of salary for 12 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave. Additional family friendly benefits include; post-secondary academic scholarships for children of employees; flexible working hours; telecommuting; reduced summer hours program; phased-in retirement work options.

High Liner 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 3 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 6 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence.

High Liner Foods' employee engagement program is rated as average. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 6 months. Performance feedback is also solicited from co-workers and other managers familiar with each employee's work. Exit interview provided for departing employees. Most employees participate in the company's performance incentive plan, which provides incentive payments based on a combination of overall company financial and personal performance. Senior level employees also receive stock options and performance share units based on company performance. For its top performing sales employees, the company hosts its annual national sales meeting in a sunny locale when sales targets are met or exceeded. High Liner Foods sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 6 months).

High Liner Foods' training and skills development program is rated as exceptional. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (Employers cover up to 100% of tuition). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. (Employers cover up to 100% of non-related tuition). The company also supports employee development with subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades programs; in-house training programs; online training programs.

High Liner Foods' community involvement program is rated as exceptional. Every year, the company and its employees volunteer and raise funds for a variety of local, national and international causes. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Approximately 9 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. Last year, the company donated money to a variety of charitable and community initiatives, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, the Curl for a Cause (in support of the Fisherman's Memorial Hospital), the Bridgewater Centre for Arts and Technology, the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, Habitat for Humanity, the Lunenburg Fire Department and the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival, to name only a few. High Liner Foods is also a founding sponsor of the local Lunenburg United Way campaign. Established in 2003, High Liner worked with other local businesses to create the first campaign and today has become one of its leading fundraisers, matching employee donations dollar-for-dollar.