OpenText Corporation

OpenText's physical workplace is rated as above-average. Located in Canada's high technology capital, the company's head office is located in the University of Waterloo Research and Technology Park. The campus-like setting offers great scenery, walking and bicycle paths and convenient access to the University of Waterloo, which is a nice benefit when combined with the company's generous tuition subsidy (to $3,000) program. The company is currently constructing a second office tower that will be joined via an enclosed skywalk (scheduled for completion this year). Inside the head office, employees can take advantage of an employee lounge (with comfortable seating, fireplace, television, foosball table and table tennis); nap room; religious observance room; onsite cafeteria (with healthy and special diet menus); free coffee and tea; outdoor barbeque and eating area; pre-arranged discounts at local restaurants; secure bicycle parking; free parking; shower facilities; and a massage therapy room with weekly visits by a registered massage therapist.

OpenText's work atmosphere is rated as exceptional. On the job, employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress daily; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams; organized social events. The social committee organizes a variety of fun events every year, including themed summer barbeques, a family day at Canada's Wonderland, an employee Halloween dress-up contest, an evening Christmas party for employees and their partners as well as a separate party for the children of employees, a winter ski trip, and an Easter-egg hunt for employees' children as well as Easter chocolates for employees (no hunting required). Throughout the year, employees can provide feedback and are kept up-to-date through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

OpenText's financial benefits are rated as very good. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 6 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. In addition, OpenText employees may also take advantage of signing bonuses for some employees; new employee referral bonuses (to $10,000 for some positions); share-purchase plan for all employees; matching RSP contributions (up to 2% of salary); life & disability insurance.

OpenText's health and family benefits are rated as very good. The company's health benefits plan is managed by Standard Life. 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 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; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance; healthclub subsidy (to $320 each year). OpenText's family friendly benefits include; fertility treatments; maternity top-up payments (to 100% of salary for 19 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave; extended unpaid parental leave option (beyond the first year); flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); compressed work week.

OpenText's vacation and personal time-off are rated as above-average. New employees receive 3 weeks of vacation allowance after their first year. Vacation increases after 2 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 4 weeks of vacation each year. During the Christmas to New Year's holiday break, employees receive an additional 5 days off. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. (Vacation entitlements increase by one day each year, starting after their second year on the job, up to 4 weeks paid vacation).

OpenText'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. Exit interview provided for departing employees. Throughout the year, the company recognizes exceptional employee performance through the "eCard" program that includes an electronic thank you card for a job well done, and the "Capture the Moment" program, which includes a monetary award (from $25 to $500) in recognition of their hard work. The company also recognizes its longest serving employees after every five years of service. OpenText sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 6 months).

OpenText's training and skills development program is rated as very good. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (Employers pay up to $3,000 in subsidies). The company also supports ongoing employee development with subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; career planning services; new employee orientation program.

OpenText's community involvement program is rated as above-average. Every year, the company and its employees direct their efforts in support of local, national and international charitable organizations, targeting four primary areas of support, including: education and innovation for global change; children and family; disaster relief; and the annual United Way campaign. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Employees receive paid time off to volunteer with their favourite charitable organizations. Approximately 10 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. The company and its employees raised funds in support of flood relief in Pakistan and following the tsunami and earthquake disaster in Japan. In addition, support was also directed towards the Canadian Cancer Society, CARE Canada and CARE International, the Earth Day 20 Minute Makeover, the KidsAbility Centre for Child Development, Prostrate Cancer Canada's "Movember" mustache growing fundraiser, and the Grand River Hospital Foundation, to name a few.