MTS Allstream Inc.

MTS Allstream's physical workplace is rated as above-average. The company's head office is located at the famous Portage and Main intersection, in the heart of downtown Winnipeg. Their head office also features an onsite fitness facility (with subsidized memberships); employee lounge; nap room; onsite cafeteria (with healthy and special diet menus, and subsidized meals); secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; underground access to shopping areas, banks, coffee shops and other retailers; walking distance to Winnipeg's Exchange District neighbourhood (a national historic site and commercial/cultural centre).

MTS Allstream's work atmosphere is rated as very good. Employees also enjoy business casual dress; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams. Social events throughout the year include holiday parties and events celebrating the annual Festival du Voyageur, a family day at the Fort Whyte recreation centre, and a family game day at the Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball park. MTS Allstream encourages all employees to participate in the feedback process through unique all-employee conference calls. Hosted four times a year, MTS CEO Pierre Blouin discusses company news and achievements, and takes questions from employees during a live question and answer period. The company also hosts employee conference calls at the divisional level, for employees interested in division-specific news and feedback. The company keeps employees informed and gathers feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

MTS Allstream's financial benefits are rated as above-average. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. MTS Allstream provides signing bonuses for some employees; new employee referral bonuses (to $3,000 for some positions); year-end bonuses for all employees; year-end bonuses (to $40,000); share-purchase plan for all employees; defined contribution pension plan; life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; and subsidized home internet. (Existing employees are enrolled in a defined benefit pension plan).

MTS Allstream's health and family benefits are rated as very good. The company's health benefits plan is managed by Blue Cross (Manitoba) and Great West Life (national). As part of the health plan, the employer pays 80% of the premiums. The waiting period for new employees is 30 days. Employees receive full family coverage on the health benefits plan. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; traditional medicine coverage; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. The company's family friendly benefits include: maternity top-up payments (from 75% to 93% for 17 weeks); flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay).

MTS Allstream'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 7 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can schedule 1 personal day off each year, as needed. Employees receive 22 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. MTS Allstream provided one employee a 12-month leave of absence to accompany his wife on an international work assignment, with a job at MTS guaranteed upon his return. (The company's non-union personnel receive up to 5 paid personal days that can be used anytime during the year).

MTS Allstream'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. Based upon individual and company performance, MTS Allstream recognizes exceptional performance with year-end bonuses. The company also offers on-the-spot rewards throughout the year to recognize individual performance, awarding dinners, gift certificates, tickets to sports and cultural events. MTS Allstream sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 12 months); MTS Allstream hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

MTS Allstream's training and skills development program is rated as above-average. 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). In addition to tuition subsidies, MTS Allstream also provides subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; formal mentoring program; career planning services. (MTS Allstream's head office is conveniently located within walking distance of the University of Winnipeg and Red River College's downtown campus.).

MTS Allstream's community involvement program is rated as exceptional. Every year, MTS Allstream supports a variety of local and national charitable organizations. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Approximately 50 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. To encourage employee volunteerism, the company manages a "My Community" volunteer program, which matches the funds raised or the hours worked by employee (and retiree) volunteers with an equivalent financial contribution. Through this program, more than 50,000 hours are donated to community organizations every year. In addition, MTS Allstream invests more than $1 million in communities across the country every year, including over $250,000 to support cultural festivals throughout Manitoba. The company recently announced a $1 million investment for state-of-the-art telecommunications technology for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.