Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.

Novartis' physical workplace is rated as very good. Novartis' suburban head office offers convenient highway access and public transit options. Inside, the head office features onsite fitness facility (with free memberships, treadmills, stationary bikes, weights); nap room; onsite cafeteria (with healthy menus and subsidized meals); secure bicycle parking; free parking; outdoor seating area (in professional landscaped grounds); outdoor barbeque; nearby emergency walk-in health clinic.

Novartis' work atmosphere is rated as very good. Employees at their head office enjoy business casual dress; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; organized social events. The company-subsidized social committee organizes company events and gatherings throughout the year. Novartis hosts an annual ski day, golf day, family day and volunteer day, in addition to holiday parties and fundraising events. Novartis keeps employees up-to-date and gathers feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; traditional suggestion box; email suggestion box.

Novartis' 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. The company's health benefits plan is managed by Sun Life Financial. Signing bonuses for some employees; new employee referral bonuses (to $2,000 for some positions); profit-sharing plan for all employees; defined contribution pension plan with employer contribution (up to 5% of salary); matching RSP contributions (up to 2% of salary); life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance.

Novartis' health and family benefits are rated as very good. The company's health benefits plan is managed by Sun Life Financial. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 87% of the premiums. 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 basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($300 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. In addition, an onside massage therapist visits the office once every two weeks. Novartis' family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 75% of salary for 15 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 75% of salary for 3 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 75% of salary for 3 weeks). Additional family-friendly benefits include; compassionate top-up payment (to 75% of salary for 6 weeks) while caring for a family member; flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay).

Novartis' 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 5 weeks of vacation each year. Employees receive 2 personal days off, as scheduled by their employer. During the Christmas to New Year's holiday break, employees receive an additional 3 days off.

Novartis' employee engagement program is rated as very good. 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. Depending on the position, Novartis recognizes exceptional performance with stock options, educational scholarships, trips and cash bonuses. Novartis hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

Novartis' 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). Novartis also supports employees' ongoing career development with in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades internships; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; formal mentoring program; career planning services.

Novartis' community involvement program is rated as exceptional. Novartis supports charitable efforts at the local, national and international level. 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 5,600 hours volunteering with charitable projects. Approximately 500 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. Each year, Novartis holds a Community Partnership Day, where employees around the world are encouraged to devote their time to a local community initiative. During last year's volunteer day, over 250 Canada employees volunteered their time participating in 13 community projects, including a cleanup of the Sawmill Valley Ravine (Missisauga), a Habitat for Humanity house build (Calgary), and the chance to prepare the YMCA Pine Crest children's camp for their new summer arrivals. Novartis also organized a volunteer car wash fundraiser, donating all funds received to the West Island Palliative Care Residence in Kirkland, Québec.