Monsanto Canada Inc.

Monsanto Canada's physical workplace is rated as average. Monsanto Canada's custom designed head office is located in a 100-acre research and technology park located on the University of Manitoba campus grounds. The suburban location offers convenient highway access and features an employee lounge (with television); secure bicycle parking; free parking; free coffee/tea; an outdoor patio with barbeque; and convenient access to the University of Manitoba's many services, from ATMs to restaurants to fitness and swimming facilities.

Monsanto Canada's work atmosphere is rated as above-average. Employees at Monsanto Canada enjoy business casual dress; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams; organized social events. The company holds an annual dinner and dance event for employees during the holiday season and a separate Christmas party for employees' children complete with gifts, games, entertainment, food and a visit from Santa. Every summer, Monsanto hosts a kick-off barbeque lunch on the Friday before the first long weekend of the summer and follows-up with employee golf tournament and catered barbeque later in the summer. The company also provides free ice cream, juice bars and frozen snacks every Friday during the summer. Monsanto keep employees up-to-date and captures feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

Monsanto Canada's financial benefits are rated as exceptional. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. The company also provides profit-sharing (for managers only); signing bonuses for some employees; year-end bonuses for all employees; year-end bonuses (to $75,000); share-purchase plan for all employees; matching RSP contributions (up to 6% of salary); life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; discounts on home computers; discounted auto lease rates.

Monsanto Canada's health and family benefits are rated as exceptional. Monsanto Canada's health benefits plan is managed by Manulife. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. Employees who work 20 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 with no age limit. The health plan also includes retiree coverage up to 100 years of age. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($250 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; maternity top-up payments (to 90% of salary for 26 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 90% of salary for 26 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 90% of salary for 26 weeks). Additional family-friendly benefits includes compassionate top-up payments (to 100% for as long as required); flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); compressed work week; phased-in retirement; and an informal reduced summer hours program.

Monsanto Canada'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 5 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 4 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can schedule 2 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees receive 10 paid sick days every year. Monsanto Canada considers previous work experience when setting annual vacation for new employees. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence.

Monsanto 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 a variety awards programs,including peer nominated on-the-spot awards (called Rapid Recognition Awards), customer service, health and safety, and long service awards. Last year, the company celebrated its record performance and provided all employees (including part-time employees) with a $100 gift certificate and two additional paid days off. Monsanto Canada sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 12 months); Monsanto Canada hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 24 months).

Monsanto Canada's training and skills development program is rated as exceptional. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (The employer provides up to $10,000 in subsidies). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. (The employer provides up to $10,000 in tuition subsidies for non-related courses). In addition to its generous tuition subsidies, Monsanto provides subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; formal mentoring program; career planning services; new employee orientation program; formal mangement training program.

Monsanto Canada's community involvement program is rated as above-average. Every year, Monsanto Canada supports 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. The company's charitable giving is primarily directed towards efforts in community development, rural youth support, agriculture, education, healthcare, and arts and culture. In addition to its own corporate charitable fund (The Monsanto Fund) that operates worldwide, Monsanto Canada has a generous matching donations program to encourage its employees to give back to their communities. Through this initiative, Monsanto matches employee donations dollar-for-dollar, up to $500 per employee every year. Employees are also very active in their community, donating their time with numerous local initiatives every year.

In a forward-thinking initiative, Monsanto Canada maintains an annual scholarship fund that is available to students entering their first year of post-secondary studies in agriculture sciences or forestry. Through this initiative, the company awards approximately 50 to 60 scholarships each year worth $1,500 each -- awarding almost $1 million to deserving students since the programs inception in 1991.