Kraft Foods Canada

Kraft Canada's physical workplace is rated as exceptional. Located in the Toronto's Don Mills area the head office offers convenient highway access and is close to one of the Don River Valley, which features a unique golf course as well as walking and biking trails that wind down alongside the river leading to the downtown an. Inside, the head office features an onsite fitness facility (with free memberships, treadmills, stationary bikes, ellipticals, stairmasters, rowing machines, weights, instructor-led classes and shower facilities); employee lounge (with comfortable seating, television and foosball table); nap room; religious observance room; onsite cafeteria (with healthy menus and subsidized meals); Kraft test kitchens (with food tastings, cooking classes and culinary presentations); an employee store with discounted food products; free Nabob coffee and Tassimo tea machines on every floor; dinner catering services (called the "Kraft Kafe 5 O'Clock Solutions" take home meals; secure bicycle parking; free parking.

Kraft Canada's work atmosphere is rated as above-average. On the job, employees can take advantage of casual dress daily; employee sports teams; organized social events. The company-subsidized social committee organizes a variety of fun events throughout the year, including a winter ski day, summer golfing day and a winter family fun day during the holidays. The company keeps employees up-to-date about current company initiatives and events through its corporate intranet site.

Kraft Canada's financial benefits are rated as average. 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 levels, some employees receive (depending on their position) signing bonuses for some employees; new employee referral bonuses (to $1,000 for some positions); year-end bonuses (to $100,000); defined contribution pension plan with employer contributions (up to 4% of salary); life & disability insurance.

Kraft Canada's health and family benefits are rated as very good. The company's has differing health plans for its union and non-union personnel, located at its 11 manufacturing facilities in across Canada. For its head office and salaried personnel the plan is administered by Sun Life Financial, with highlights featured below. 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. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($300 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. Kraft Canada's family-friendly benefits include; fertility treatments; maternity top-up payments (to 100% of salary for 17 weeks); adoption assistance subsidy to $2,500 per child; health benefits during maternity and parental leave; extended unpaid parental leave option (beyond the first year). The company also has a standing arrangement with Kids & Company to provide temporary back-up and full- or part-time daycare services for employees. The service also includes options for nanny-care and elder-care services. Kraft Canada also provides; post-secondary academic scholarships for children of employees; flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); reduced summer hours program; compressed work week.

Kraft 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 6 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can schedule 2 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees receive 5 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence.

Kraft Canada's employee engagement program is rated as very good. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 6 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. Exit interview provided for departing employees. Depending on the position, excellent employee performance is recognized through a number of ongoing awards, including the "Manager Award" (to $150), the "Way to Go" recognition certificate, the "Values in Action Award" (up to $1,000), and the Canadian Leadership Excellence Award" (up to $2,500). Kraft Canada hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

Kraft Canada's training and skills development program is rated as very good. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (Employers pay up to $10,000 in subsidies). In addition to generous tuition subsidies, employees can also receive subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; new employee orientation program.

Kraft Canada's community involvement program is rated as above-average. Every year, the company and its employees support a number of local and national charitable organizations. Approximately 55 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. In addition to sponsoring the annual and very popular "Kraft Hockeyville" competition and day of celebration, in partnership with CBC's Hockey Night in Canada, and includes a $100,000 award for arena renovations in the winning community, Kraft Canada and its employees volunteer and raise funds for a variety of charitable organizations every year, including the United Way, Boys and Girls Club of Canada, and Food Banks Canada (raising and donating over $3 million over the past six years).