McGill University

McGill's physical workplace is rated as exceptional. The university's main campus is located at the foot of Mount Royal, just north of downtown Montréal. The historic campus features easy access to two major Metro stations and is central to the city's well developed downtown bicycle network. Employees at McGill work in variety of settings, from heritage office buildings to state-of-the-art research facilities. In addition to being woven into the Montréal's downtown fabric, surrounded by art galleries, museums, coffee shops, shops, restaurants as well as steps from the city's legendary nightlife, the downtown campus features an onsite fitness facility (with subsidized memberships to the McGill University athletics centres, which includes treadmills, stationary bikes, instructor-led classes, stairmasters, rowing machines, weights, basketball court, sauna, all-season field house, swimming pool, skating arena, tennis and a sports medicine clinic); employee lounge (with comfortable seating, fireplace, television, foosball table, table hockey, table tennis, board game and pool table); student centre; faculty club (for faculty members); religious observance room; concierge services available; onsite cafeteria; secure bicycle parking; free coffee or tea; free soft drinks; outdoor patio/deck; outdoor barbecue; self-serve lunchroom; discounts at nearby restaurants.

McGill's work atmosphere is rated as very good. Throughout the year, employees at McGill enjoy business casual dress; casual dress daily; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working. Across the University, employees enjoy a variety of social events, including summer barbecues, holiday parties, pizza lunches, retirement parties, baby showers, milestone celebrations and many other fun events. Throughout the year, McGill gathers employee feedback and keeps employees up-to-date about current events through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

McGill's financial benefits are rated as very good. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months. The university also provides signing bonuses for some employees; defined contribution pension plan with employer contribution (up to 10% of salary); life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; low-interest home loans; (Pension plan contributions range from 3.2% to 10%, depending on position).

McGill's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. Their health benefits plan is managed by Manulife and Industrial Alliance. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 50% of the premiums. There is no waiting period before coverage begins. The health plan also includes retiree coverage with no age limit. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. McGill's family-friendly benefits include: maternity top-up payments (to 95% of salary for 20 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 100% of salary for 10 weeks); subsidized onsite daycare; onsite daycare centre; with 138 spaces; 5 childcare workers; and a 36 month waiting list for available spaces. (There are multiple daycare options or students and employees). As part of its parental leave program, McGill offers new mothers up to two years of parental leave (a rarely seen option in Canada). In addition, employees may also choose to work on a part-time basis during their leave time. Additional family-friendly benefits include: flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); reduced summer hours program; phased-in retirement.

McGill's vacation and personal time-off are rated as very good. New employees receive 3 weeks of vacation allowance after their first year. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 5 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can schedule 4 personal days off each year, as needed. During the Christmas to New Year's holiday break, employees receive an additional 3 days off. Employees receive 9 paid sick days every year. McGill also offers a deferred salary leave program, so employees can enjoy "paid" leaves of absence for up to 12 months. (Vacation increases to four weeks after three years for some positions).

McGill's employee engagement program is rated as very good. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 12 months. Managers receive training in how to conduct effective performance reviews. The university recognizes exceptional employee performance through five annual cash awards, which are presented to five employees representing all administrative and support staff categories. The annual award nominees are selected by faculty and other administrative employees, making this a very unique and generous peer-nominated award. McGill also celebrates its long-serving employees once every five years (from 15 to 50 years on the job) with special recognition gifts. McGill sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey.

McGill's training and skills development program is rated as exceptional. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (The employer subsidizes up to 100% of tuition). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. (The employer subsidizes up to 100% of non-related tuition). McGill also supports employees' ongoing career development with subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; formal mentoring program; career planning services; new employee orientation program; formal mangement training program. McGill provides a wide variety of training and development programs for faculty and staff, covering topics including conversational business French, managerial skills, and leadership development. The university also offers an inter-university training program, which allows senior-level employees to develop their individual expertise by working on joint projects in partnership with other post-secondary institutions.

McGill's community involvement program is rated as average. Beyond its important role in the community McGill and its employees support the annual Centraide (United Way) fundraising drive -- last year raising over $300,000 for the campaign. Across the university, employees and students participate in their own fundraising activities every year, supporting numerous local fundraising initiatives.