PCL Constructors Inc.

PCL's physical workplace is rated as above-average. In addition to the company's Edmonton head office, PCL maintains regional and project offices across North America. At project sites, offices are generally located in portable buildings (it comes with the territory). Regardless of each project's location, PCL takes extraordinary measures to provide a safe and healthy work environment. PCL employs full-time safety professionals who enforce the company's strict safety policy; it also awards cash bonuses for strong safety performance. The company's suburban Edmonton head office is a one-storey building that the company built in 1968. PCL recently completed construction of a state-of-the art training centre (called the Centennial Learning Centre). Designed with feedback from employees, the new energy-efficient building is certified to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold standard, featuring geothermal heating and cooling, natural ventilation and a solar chiminey. Inside,the head office features a traditional office layout design, an employee lounge (with television, comfortable seating and a fireplace); secure bicycle parking; free parking; outdoor eating area; free coffee and tea; self-serve lunchroom.

PCL's work atmosphere is rated as very good. Head office employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams; organized social events. The company-subsidized social committee organizes a variety of events throughout the year, including a Halloween party, a Christmas dinner-dance (with a separate party for employees' children) and a family summer barbeque. Across the company, PCL subsidizes a variety of fun social activities every year, including paintball, skiing, hockey, golf, curling and trips to local sporting events. Across North America, PCL keeps employees up-to-date through a regular news bulletins, a client newsletter (called "Horizons") and several division-specific newsletters. Twice yearly, senior executives hold "fireside chats" to update employees on financial results and projections. Once a year, these meetings include a video highlighting PCL construction projects across North America. PCL also publishes a company newsletter; corporate intranet site.

PCL'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. PCL is wholly owned by current employees and, each year, qualifying employees are invited to purchase shares in the company -- over 3,300 employees are shareholders. Employees can purchase 100 shares annually with an interest-free company loan, which is repaid through payroll deductions. PCL also provides signing bonuses for some employees; year-end bonuses for all employees; share-purchase plan for all employees; profit-sharing plan for all employees; defined contribution pension plan with employer contribution (up to 5% of salary); life & disability insurance.

PCL's health and family benefits are rated as average. PCL's health benefits plan is managed by Blue Cross. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 75% of the premiums. The health plan is a flexible plan with adjustable premiums and coverage levels. 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; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance; healthclub subsidy ($200 each year). PCL's health plan includes a healthcare spending account, which lets employees select levels of coverage. (The company has provided a healthcare spending account since 1988, making it one of Canada's first employers to offer the benefit.) In addition, PCL maintains Employee Wellness Committees to promote and support healthy lifestyle initiatives. Depending on the office location, the committees work independently or in conjunction with the existing social committees. The company's family-friendly benefits include: flexible working hours; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); phased-in retirement; family coverage on health plan.

PCL's 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 4 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. One engineering employee recently took a year off to volunteer in a developing country. (Senior executives can receive up to 5 weeks of paid vacation.).

PCL'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. 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. PCL recognizes exceptional performance (including safety performance) with a variety of monetary and non-monetary awards. PCL sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 36 months); PCL hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

PCL's training and skills development program is rated as above-average. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. PCL also provides subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades internships; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; formal mentoring program; career planning services. PCL operates a well-developed in-house training department (the "PCL College of Construction"), which offers a wide range of management and technical programs at the company's head office and online. In addition, the company offers career development guides that provide profiles for all major occupational groups. These guides provide career path information and direct employees to specific educational resources that can provide the skill sets needed for promotion. Employees can also participate in a unique career survey that helps identify their strengths and areas for improvement. Employees work with the human resources department to develop a long-term personal and professional development plan. PCL also strives to offer continuous employment for its employees with experienced personnel regularly transferred to fill ongoing needs at other projects, creating promotional opportunities for remaining employees. Advancement opportunities at PCL are good because the company follows a strict "promote from within" policy -- PCL's senior management team members are all long-time employees.

PCL's community involvement program is rated as above-average. PCL actively supports a variety of local charitable initiatives in the many communities where the company operates. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Employees receive paid time off to volunteer with their favourite charitable organizations. Across the company's operations, PCL and its employees support United Way campaigns throughout North America. Within each office location, employee committees work to plan and manage their individual fundraising campaigns. Last year, PCL and its employees contributed over $3.9 million dollars to the United Way. In addition to its formal support of annual United Way campaigns, PCL employees at offices across North America also organize charitable campaigns for a variety of local charitable initiatives, as determined by employees.