Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co.

HP Canada's physical workplace is rated as exceptional. HP Canada's head office is situated on 18 acres of land adjacent to an environmentally-protected ravine. When constructing the head office, HP Canada planted more than 26,000 trees and shrubs to enhance the surrounding woodlands. Inside the head office, there is an impressive six-storey glass atrium that includes common areas decorated with original art from young Canadian and Aboriginal artists. The building also has noise-dampening technology as well as motion-sensitive lighting to conserve energy. In addition, the head office features an onsite fitness facility (with subsidized memberships, treadmills, stationary bikes, rowing machines, stairmasters, weights, running club, shower facilities, personal fitness assessments, onsite massage therapy, instructor-led fitness classes, such aerobics and pilates); employee lounge (with comfortable seating and television); religious observance room; onsite cafeteria (with special diet menus, healthy menu items); free coffee, tea (including herbal tea and iced tea) and hot chocolate; outdoor patio (where a variety of wildlife can be observed); barbeque; onsite Tim Hortons; secure bicycle parking; free parking; mobility workstations for telecommuting employees.

HP Canada's work atmosphere is rated as above-average. On the job, HP Canada employees enjoy business casual dress; organized social events. The company subsidizes an employee social committees at its major offices across Canada, spending over $400,000 last year to fund social events and activities. The committees organize a variety of social events for employees and their families throughout the year, including employee holiday parties at Christmas, children's winter parties, summer family picnics, golf games, curling, bowling, ice cream days, summer barbeques and special breakfasts during the year. HP Canada also sponsors an employee baseball team as well as an annual hockey tournament, with teams competing from across the country.

HP Canada has also implemented several initiatives to cultivate a diverse and inclusive work environment, from hiring a full-time Manager of Diversity to recently establishing an in-house women's networking group. The company is also a major sponsor of the annual "Out and Equal Workplace Summit" and Toronto's Gay Pride Parade. HP Canada keeps employees up-to-date and captures feedback through quarterly company-wide meetings online; regular email updates; a company newsletter; corporate intranet site.

HP Canada's 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 competitive compensation, HP Canada provides signing bonuses for some employees; year-end bonuses for all employees; share-purchase plan for all employees; matching RSP contributions (up to 6% of salary); life & disability insurance; discounted company products and supplier products, from automobiles to credit cards.

HP Canada's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. HP Canada's health benefits plan is managed by Sun Life. 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. Employees who work 20 hours per week receive coverage. There is no waiting period before coverage begins. 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 ($250 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. The company's family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 100% of salary for 17 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 100% of salary for 12 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 100% of salary for 12 weeks). Additional family-friendly benefits include; flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); compressed work week.

HP Canada'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 10 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 5 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can schedule 1 personal day off each year, as needed. Employees receive 180 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. (Vacation increases to 3.2 days after two years and 3.4 days after four years on the job, moving to four weeks after 10 years on the job.).

HP Canada'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 company recognizes exceptional employee performance with salary increases and share options. In addition, top-performing employees are recognized through an online awards program that includes gift certificates, travellers cheques and cash awards. HP Canada also honours length-of-service milestones and accomplishments with special luncheons and share option awards. The company even rewards employees for participating in the annual employee survey through monthly draws and the chance to win great prizes, including digital cameras and printers. HP Canada sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 12 months).

HP Canada'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 $5,000 in subsidies). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. (The employer provides up to $5,000 in tuition subsidies for non-related courses). HP Canada also assists employees' career development with subsidies for professional accreditations; financial bonuses for course completions; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; formal mentoring program; career development program, which includes a unique career development "toolkit" to help employees set a personal career development plan.

HP Canada's community involvement program is rated as exceptional. HP Canada focuses its charitable efforts in the areas of the environment, education and economic development; 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 100 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. The company provides substantial support to educational and electronic literacy initiatives across the country, primarily in under-served communities across Canada. Every year, HP Canada donates computer equipment and cash to schools, universities and charitable organizations across the country. To encourage employee contributions, the company matches employee donations to universities and colleges. Employees can also purchase HP equipment at a significant discount for donation to their favourite school or non-profit organization.

To reduce the environmental impact of its products, HP Canada operates the "Envelope-in-the-Box" recycling program. Through this longstanding program, customers receive pre-paid mailing labels which can be used to return their used ink cartridges to Hewlett-Packard for recycling and proper disposal. Through similar programs worldwide, the parent company has recycled more than 750 million pounds of used cartridges and computer equipment since 1987. As one of the world's most successful consumer electronics manufacturers, the company's enlightened programs provide a model for other manufacturers and proof that environmental responsibility and business success are not mutually exclusive.

HP Canada also sponsors numerous environmental initiatives throughout the year, such as "Waste Reduction Week" (employee volunteers collected over 15,000 pounds of discarded electronics at the University of Waterloo last year); Earth Day (employees collected and recycled over 103,000 pounds of old electronics from their homes and company offices); as well as free employee recycling depots at its office locations (for batteries, mobile phones, rechargeable batteries, ink and laser jet cartridges and compact-disks). The company has also funded the employee-led "HP Sustainability Network" since 1998. The unique network supports employee educational, networking and sustainable practice initiatives across the company, including the recently established "HP Green Advocates" program. Through this program, employee volunteers attend quarterly training seminars and return as ambassadors to share environmental information with colleagues as well as with HP customers. HP Canada also encourages employees to leave the car at home by staying home themselves through a longstanding commitment to telecommuting -- and even provides preferred parking for car poolers and shower facilities for bicycle commuters at some locations.