ISM Canada

ISM Canada's physical workplace is rated as very good. The company's head office is located in Regina Research Park, on the University of Regina's campus. The building is within minutes of a variety of restaurants, fitness facilities, shopping mall, bike paths, and parks including the 3,000 acre Wascana Park and lake. Inside, the building features an employee lounge (with board games); secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; private outdoor courtyard with barbecue; first aid room with rest couch; and a kitchen area with fridge, microwave, toaster oven, and kettle. Employees have free access to a mini-gym across the street which features cardio equipment (ellipticals and stationary bikes), BOSU balls, mats, and weights. In addition, employees also receive discounted membership at the Fitness and Kinesiology Centre at the University of Regina.

ISM Canada's work atmosphere is rated as exceptional. On the job, employees enjoy business casual dress; employee sports teams; organized social events. Since 2000, the ISM Canada Social Committee has organized seasonal celebrations for employees throughout the year. The company recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and hosted a complimentary lunch as well as numerous celebratory events downtown for employees. ISM also subsidizes the costs of company sports teams. Employees are kept up-to-date on company developments and provide feedback through a corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

ISM Canada's financial benefits are rated as very good. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. Compensation levels are also achieved through the collective bargaining process and through direction of ISM's parent company, IBM Canada. In addition, the company offers new employee referral bonuses (to $1,000 for some positions); share-purchase plan for all employees; profit-sharing plan for all employees; defined contribution pension plan with employer contributions (up to 7% of salary); life & disability insurance; discounted auto lease rates; and discounted computer equipment.

ISM Canada's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. Health benefits plans for all employee groups are managed by the Co-operators. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. Employees who work 30 hours per week receive coverage. The 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 ($500 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; fertility treatments; maternity top-up payments (to 75% of salary for 35 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 75% of salary for 35 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 75% of salary for 35 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave. Sliding scale maternity program with first 6 weeks of maternity leave to 100% of salary, followed by 29 weeks with a 75% top-up payment. (In-scope employees in British Columbia receive up to 15 weeks maternity leave to 85% of salary followed by a parental leave top-up to 75% of salary for an additional 35 weeks. In-scope employees are also eligible for a pre-adoption leave top-up to 85% of salary for 7 weeks). Additional family-friendly benefits include; flexible working hours; telecommuting; compressed work week; earned days off (EDO) program.

ISM Canada's vacation and personal time-off are rated as average. New employees receive 3 weeks of vacation allowance after their first year. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 6 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can schedule 1 personal day off each year, as needed. Employees receive 12 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. Vacation allowance varies by employee group.

ISM Canada's employee engagement program is rated as average. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 12 months. As part of the review process employees can provide confidential feedback on their manager's performance. Exit interview provided for departing employees. ISM Canada recognizes exceptional performance through various awards including the president's award, award for outstanding contribution, and team and individual achievement award. Awards are usually accompanied with a cash gift with the exception of the team achievement award. ISM Canada sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 24 months).

ISM Canada'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). ISM Canada reimburses 100% of tuition costs for in-scope employees in Saskatchewan and 50% of tuition costs for in-scope employees in British Columbia. In addition to tuition subsidies, the company offers subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; career planning services; new employee orientation program; formal mangement training program.

ISM Canada's community involvement program is rated as above-average. ISM Canada and its employees support a variety of local, national, and international charitable organizations. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Employees receive paid time off to volunteer with their favourite charitable organizations. Last year, employees donated over 1,000 hours volunteering with charitable projects. Approximately 30 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. The company has also contributed and supported the following community organizations and initiatives in the past year: Adult Learning Centre Foundation; Regina Palliative Care; United Way of Regina; Canadian Cancer Society; and the First Nations University of Canada.