Chosen as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers, Canada's Top Family-Friendly Employers and National Capital Region's Top Employers for 2012:
By Richard Yerema and Kristina Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors
(
Oct 6, 2011)
Some of the reasons why HRSDC was selected as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2012:
supports employees who are new mothers with maternity and parental leave top-up payments (to 93% of salary for 52 weeks) as well as parental leave top-up payments for new fathers and adoptive parents (to 93% of salary for 37 weeks)
employee also receive health benefits during their maternity and parental leave and can take advantage of an onsite daycare centre (with 60 spaces) when they're ready to return to work
helps employees balance their personal life and work with a variety of alternative work arrangements, including flexible hours, telecommuting, and shortened and compressed work week options
encourages ongoing employee development through subsidies for tuition and professional accreditation, a range of in-house and online training programs, formal mentoring and career planning services
helps employees prepare for retirement with retirement planning workshops, phased-in retirement work options, contributions to a defined benefit pension plan, and a health benefits plan that extend into their retirement years (with no age limit)
Employer Background
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) is the Federal Government department that develops policies and support programs to help Canadians throughout their working lives, from securing a first job through to retirement.
One of the largest departments serving Canadians, HRSDC's responsibilities include: the Universal Child Care Benefit; the National Child Benefit; the Social Insurance Number program; Canada Student Loans and Grants; Employment Insurance; the Canadian Pension Plan and Old Age Security. The department's broad range of services are accessible through the Labour Program and Service Canada. The Labour Program promotes safe and healthy workplaces through the administration of the Canada Labour Code and the Employment Equity Act. Service Canada operates as the point of contact for individual citizens with online services and locations from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
Industry: Other General Government Support.
Established: 2006.
Major Canadian hiring locations: Cornwall ON, Ottawa ON, Toronto ON, Sudbury ON, Vancouver BC, Edmonton AB, Montréal QC, Chatham ON, Moncton NB, Belleville ON.
Full-time employees in Canada: 24,768.
Full-time at this location: 8,117.
Part-time employees in Canada: 1,971.
Voluntary employee turnover last year: 2.8%.
Longest serving employee: 45.6 years.
Workforce engaged on a contract basis: 14.9%.
Number of applications received at this location last year: 12,584.
Percentage of employees who are women: 70%.
Of managers: 58%.
Of directors: 51%.
Percentage of employees who are visible minorities: 13%.
Of managers: 11%.
Of directors: 7.9%.
Average age of all employees: 43.1.
Percentage of employees who are aboriginals: 4.4%.
Of managers: 3.5%.
Of directors: 4%.
Rating: B+Physical Workplace
HRSDC's physical workplace is rated as very good. HRSDC's downtown head office is located in Place du Portage IV, offering views of the Ottawa River and Parliament Hill. The building is situated within minutes of the Canadian Museum of Civilization and Victoria Park (with bike paths and walking trails). Inside, the head office features a glass atrium, which provides natural light to the building; an employee lounge (with comfortable seating and television); secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; outdoor patio/deck; picnic tables; and two exterior courtyards. The building also houses several non-federal tenants, allowing employees access to a variety of amenities without having to leave the building, including a variety of food outlets, dental office, optometrist, bank branch, Canada Post outlet, and dry cleaning services.
Rating: B+Work Atmosphere & Communications
HRSDC's work atmosphere is rated as very good. On the job, employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams. HRSDC celebrated National Public Service Week with a barbecue and live music. The Department captures feedback and keeps employees up-to-date through a company newsletter "Intersection" and a company newsletter; corporate intranet site.
Rating: AFinancial Benefits & Compensation
HRSDC's financial benefits are rated as above-average. Compensation levels are achieved through the collective bargaining process. In addition, HRSDC provides defined benefit pension plan; life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; and retirement planning assistance. (In most cases, the basic benefit pension formula is used to calculate the benefit: 2% multiplied by number of years of pensionable service, multiplied by the average salary for an employees' highest paid service within five consecutive years.) Part-time employees are also eligible for pension contributions. Year-end bonuses for some employees.
Rating: A+Health & Family-Friendly Benefits
HRSDC's health and family benefits are rated as exceptional. HRSDC's health benefits plans are managed by Sunlife, Great West Life, and Industrial Alliance. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. The maximum waiting period for new employees is 60 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 ($275 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. The department's family-friendly benefits include; 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); subsidized onsite daycare; onsite daycare centre; with 60 spaces; 15 childcare workers; and a 24 month waiting list for available spaces. Additional family-friendly benefits include; flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); compressed work week; phased-in retirement work options.
Rating: BVacation & Personal Time-Off
HRSDC'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 6 weeks of vacation each year. Employees receive 15 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. Employees may also schedule 1 personal paid day-off each year and one paid day to volunteer.
Rating: BEmployee Engagement
HRSDC's employee engagement program is rated as average. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 6 months. Managers receive training in how to conduct effective performance reviews. The department operates a formal program in recognition of exceptional employee performance. The Pride and Recognition Policy and Program includes day-to-day recognition, everyday expressions of appreciation and acknowledgment of efforts and successes, instant awards (through which gifts may be purchased for an individual or team in recognition of their engagement and excellence on the job), and long service awards beginning at ten years of service. HRSDC hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 36 months).
Rating: ATraining & Skills Development
HRSDC's training and skills development program is rated as above-average. 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). In addition to tuition subsidies, the department provides subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; formal mentoring program; career planning services. HRSDC coordinates and manages four communities that support employee development: Administrative Professional Network; Executive Community Network, HRSDC's Managers' Community; and the Youth Mandate for Greater Involvement. Through these groups, the department enables staff from various employee groups to network and share information and best practices.
Rating: ACommunity Involvement
HRSDC's community involvement program is rated as above-average. The department and its employees actively support a variety of national and international charitable organizations. Employees receive 1 paid day off to volunteer with their favourite charitable organization. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. The Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC) is a charitable giving option developed exclusively for federal public servants. The annual GCWCC takes place in the fall throughout federal government workplaces across the country, enabling employees to donate to a wide variety of charitable organizations of their choosing.
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