British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch

British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch's physical workplace is rated as above-average. The head office is located centrally within the city of Vancouver, close to Burnaby and offers great views of the mountains to the north and downtown Vancouver. The head office complex features a modern office tower that is linked to the large distribution warehouse via an elevated all-weather walkway. Inside, employees can design their workspaces as they wish and utilize an online assessment tool to conduct their own ergonomic assessment or request an appointment with an in-house kinesiologist to help ensure a comfortable workspace. Head office employees can also take advantage of a onsite fitness facility (with free membership, treadmills, stationary bikes, balance balls, shower facilities and instructor-led classes such as yoga and pilates, TACFIT, boot camp and self-defense training); employee lounge; onsite cafeteria (with healthy, vegetarian, and daily multi-cultural menu selections, salad and fresh fruit bar ); secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; free parking; and a bike to work club (called the Spirited Cyclists).

British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch's work atmosphere is rated as above-average. On the job, and depending on their position, employees can take advantage of business casual dress; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams; organized social events. The employee social committee (called the Recreation and Tasting Society) organizes a variety of fun events for employees every year, including discounted passes to sporting and entertainment events as well as the Pacific National Exhibition. Employees also enjoy summer barbeques, Halloween costume contests, luncheons and an annual pancake breakfast that is prepared by senior management during the annual "Public Service Week" initiative. British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch captures feedback and keeps employees up-to-date through multiple company newsletters; corporate intranet site; traditional suggestion box; email suggestion box.

British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch's financial benefits are rated as very good. In addition to collective bargaining process for its union personnel, British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch subscribes to numerous industry publications to ensure its human resource strategies and policies remain up-to-date and competitive. The agency also provides defined benefit pension plan; life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance.

British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. The health plan is managed by Pacific Blue Cross. There are varying plans for non-union and union personnel with the basic plan offering the following coverages. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. Employees who work 35 hours per week receive coverage. The maximum waiting period for new employees is 180 days. The health plan also includes retiree coverage with no age limit. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($250 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; medical equipment and supplies; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. As part of the plan employees also receive massage therapy coverage (to $750 each year) and offers the services of an onsite kinesiologist who assists employees recovering from injury or illness as well as provide workplace ergonomic consultations for employees. British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch's family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 75% of salary for 52 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; extended unpaid parental leave option (beyond the first year); onsite daycare centre; with 37 spaces; 9 childcare workers; and a 3 month waiting list for available spaces; post-secondary academic scholarships for children of employees; compassionate top-up payment (to 100% of salary for 1 week) while caring for a family member; earned days off (EDO) program.

British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch's vacation and personal time-off are rated as very good. 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 7 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can schedule 9 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees receive 4 personal days off, as scheduled by their employer. Employees receive 5 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. (Vacation entitlement increases to 3.2 weeks vacation after three years on the job, moving to 3.8 weeks after five years and 4.8 weeks.).

British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch'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. 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. The agency has an in-house Employee Recognition Manager who is provides employee engagement and recognition expertise to managers, assisting them in designing appropriate recognition initiatives and activities. British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch also maintains a unique "One-on-One with Jay" that provides individual employees from across the province, an opportunity to enjoy lunch with the General Manager. British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch'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 50% of non-related tuition). British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch also supports ongoing development with subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; formal mentoring program; career planning services; new employee orientation program; formal management training program.

British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch's community involvement program is rated as above-average. The agency supports a variety of local and national charitable initiatives every year. 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 338 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch and its employees also manage two unique in-house community-based programs, including the "Dry Grad" initiative that raises money in support of alcohol-free high school graduation events -- helping raise (with its customers) and donating over $3.9 million since 2001 in funding for dry graduation ceremonies across the province. The agency's longstanding "Share-a-Bear" program sell plush teddy bears and donates a teddy bear "twin" to local charities, hospitals, police and ambulance services' various Christmas gift drives. The agency also supports the fundraising efforts of the Canadian Red Cross with check-out counter donation boxes and employees also raise money for the Easter Seal 24 Hour Relay for Kids initiative -- raising over $110,000 since 1995.