Hospital for Sick Children, The

SickKids' physical workplace is rated as above-average. The hospital's downtown campus consists of several buildings that are linked together to provide convenient and all-weather access for staff. SickKids' flagship building features an architecturally award winning atrium that is home to garden terraces and patient care areas all set in an environment of natural light with a spectacular water fountain, indoor green spaces and a multi-station cafeteria area that features a variety of food selections. Within the hospital there are unit lounges with comfortable seating and televisions for taking a break during the day. The hospital also features three meditation/religious observance rooms and an occupational health clinic that employee can access during the day. The hospital also features an onsite fitness facility (with shower facilities and instructor-led classes such as yoga, boot camp, dance lessons and pilates); secure bicycle parking; subsidized car parking; a carpool sign-up system; and convenient access to public transit.

SickKids' work atmosphere is rated as very good. On the job (and depending on their position, employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress daily; can listen to music while working. Throughout the year SickKids hosts a variety of social events for employees (and their families), including an annual breakfast (served by senior management), a summer staff barbeque, a Christmas holiday party for employees and their children (hosted at a fun venue with gifts for children), as well as employee recognition celebrations to recognize excellent performance, long service and retiring employees. The Hospital also hosts a unique "Humanitarian Awards" celebration to recognize those students, volunteers and employees who exemplify the qualities of compassion and humanitarianism in providing care to patients and their families. Company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

SickKids' 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. Along with ensuring that compensation levels remain competitive the hospital provides signing bonuses for some employees; defined benefit pension plan; life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; discounted home and auto insurance; and discounts with a variety of nearby vendors and retailers; year-end bonuses for some employees.

SickKids' health and family benefits are rated as above-average. The Hospital has separate health plans for its union and non-union personnel. Both plans are administered by Sun Life Financial and feature the following minimum coverages. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 75% of the premiums. Employees who work 18 hours per week receive coverage. The maximum waiting period for new employees is 90 days. Employees receive full family coverage 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; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. Employees can also take advantage of discounted memberships to GoodLife Fitness centres. SickKids' family-friendly benefits include; fertility treatments; maternity top-up payments (to 84% of salary for 25 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 84% of salary for 25 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 84% of salary for 25 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave; extended unpaid parental leave option (beyond the first year). In addition to leave support (and varying with position), returning employees can take advantage of; flexible working hours; telecommuting; 35-hour work week (with full pay); shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); compressed work week; phased-in retirement work options.

SickKids' 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 schedule 2 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees receive 12 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. (Depending on the position, some employees start with 4 weeks paid vacation).

SickKids' 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. Every year, the Hospital recognizes exceptional performance through special nursing, physician and administration employee awards. In addition, top performing employees have the opportunity to win the prestigious "President's Award" in celebration of their excellent performance. SickKids hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

SickKids' training and skills development program is rated as very good. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (Employers pay up to $6,000 in subsidies). In addition to related tuition subsidies, the Hospital also supports ongoing employee development through subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; formal mentoring program; career planning services; new employee orientation program; and a formal management training program.

SickKids' community involvement program is rated as above-average. Every year the hospital and its employees support a variety of local, national and international charitable initiatives. In keeping with the Hospital's specialty areas, health employees volunteer and have developed a number of specialized initiatives ins support of children, from local neighbourhood vision and hearing screening clinics to the "SickKids No Boundaries" team of more than 30 health professionals. Through this initiative, employees volunteeer their time to train and provide dental and surgical care to children living in under-served regions of the world, including Ethiopia, Jamaica, Nepal, Peru and Ethiopia -- the unique program recently launched a long-term partnership to build paediatric surgical capacity in Ethiopia. Every year, employees also volunteer and raise funds for a variety of charitable initiative, including the United Way, the Big Bike ride in support of the Heart & Stroke Foundation, and Megan's Walk: Creating a Circle of Hope in support of paediatric brain tumour research.