Mars Canada Inc.

Mars Canada's physical workplace is rated as exceptional. Mars Canada is located in the rolling countryside of Caledon, just north of Toronto. The company's Bolton head office includes a combination of state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities (with a food lab and kitchen) and open concept offices. Prior to a recent renovation, head office employees were consulted about everything from workstation design to carpet selection and bathroom tile colours. The result is a unique working environment that includes no walls and doors, workstations of the same size (regardless of position), phone-free quiet rooms, internet kiosks for manufacturing employees, and an outdoor courtyard that is wireless-ready for outdoor meetings in the summer. Inside, the head office also features an onsite fitness facility (with free memberships, treadmills, stationary bikes, rowing machines, weights, large screen television, shower facilities, instructor-led classes and regular visits by a Wellness Coordinator who provides personal fitness training); outdoor basketball and beach volleyball courts and an outdoor running trail (with an employee running club); employee lounge (with comfortable seating, television, music, wired and wireless ready for meetings and teleconferences); nap room; secure bicycle parking; free parking.

Mars Canada's work atmosphere is rated as very good. Mars Canada employees enjoy casual dress daily; can listen to music while working; can bring pets to work when needed; employee sports teams; organized social events. Mars Canada's company-subsidized social committee, which has operated since 1986, helps to organize a holiday party during the Christmas season for employees' children, a year-end celebration for all employees, and a open house event for family members that includes a tour of the chocolate factory. The company also hosts an employee golf tournament as well as intramural basketball games. The company keeps employees up-to-date and captures employee feedback through a corporate intranet site; traditional suggestion box; email suggestion box.

Mars 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. Mars Canada also provides new employee referral bonuses (to $1,500 for some positions); year-end bonuses for all employees; year-end bonuses (to $134,000); defined contribution pension plan with employer contribution (up to 20% of salary); life & disability insurance; discounts on home computers; discounted company products (including chocolate bars).

Mars Canada's health and family benefits are rated as very good. Mars Canada's health benefits plan is managed by Blue Cross. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. Employees who work 40 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 ($150 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. The company's family friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 100% of salary for 13 weeks). Additional family-friendly benefits include: a summer job program for employees' children; flexible working hours; telecommuting; vacation purchase program (to one additional week each year).

Mars 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 1 personal day off each year, as needed. Employees receive 1 personal day off, as scheduled by their employer. Employees receive 130 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. Employees also have the option to purchase additional vacation days through payroll deductions (up to five additional days each year).

Mars Canada's employee engagement program is rated as above-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. The company recognizes exceptional performance through an on-the-spot awards program that includes peer nominated awards in recognition for exceptional on-the-job performance -- over 200 employees received recognition through this program last year. Mars also operates a dedicated program (called Aspire) for its top performing part-time employees, offering performance points that are redeemable for a selection of company merchandise. Every year, the company's "Difference Award" program recognizes outstanding employee innovation and initiative, providing individual and group winners with the chance to travel to New York for the company's "North American Regional Awards" and then to Washington DC and the chance to compete for the company's coveted "Global Award". Mars Canada sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 12 months).

Mars Canada's training and skills development program is rated as very good. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (The employer subsidizes up to 100% of tuition). Mars Canada also supports employee development with in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades internships; in-house training programs; online training programs; formal mentoring program; career planning services; formal mangement training program; and two dedicated training weeks each year that include a variety of courses, including business strategy, project management, financial analysis, and management training.

Mars Canada's community involvement program is rated as exceptional. Mars Canada actively supports a variety of national charitable initiatives. Employees receive paid time off to volunteer with their favourite charitable organizations. Employees also receive 1 paid day off to volunteer. Last year, employees donated over 325 hours volunteering with charitable projects. Approximately 66 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. As part of its charitable giving program, Mars Canada and its employees support a variety of charitable initiatives every year, including Caledon Animal Shelter, local food banks and Habitat for Humanity, to name a few. As part of its volunteer day off program, individual employees and employee teams are encouraged to choose those charitable initiatives that are important to them.

In response to growing environmental awareness, Mars Canada and its employees have taken steps to address the environmental impacts of its domestic operations. The company's food production employees have recently reduced water consumption by 50% and the company's new order fulfillment facility includes a rainwater collection system that provides a ready water source for the company's landscaping needs. The location of the new facility was also selected to minimize travel times to-and-from the location, thus reducing the subsequent auto emissions.