Pfizer Canada's physical workplace is rated as above-average. Located in suburban Montréal, the company's recently renovated head office is close to the Pierre Elliot Trudeau airport and is only a short drive to a local golf course, as well as hotels, restaurants, shops and services. At the head office, employee can take advantage of onsite fitness facility (with free membership, treadmills, stationary bikes, stairmasters, weights, basketball court, shower facilities and instructor-led classes, including spinning, zumab, muscle toning and postural strength and sculpt); employee lounge (with comfortable seating, music, television, video games, library and reading are with a variety of newspapers, magazines and books); break-out work areas with wireless access; nap room; onsite cafeteria (with healthy and special diet menus and subsidized meals); outdoor eating area; free snacks for formal meetings; secure bicycle parking; free parking.

Pfizer Canada's work atmosphere is rated as very good. At work, employees enjoy business casual dress; can listen to music while working; concierge services available; employee sports teams; organized social events. The social committee organizes a variety of fun events throughout the year, an annual Christmas holiday cocktail party (employees from across the organization are invited), a company-paid Christmas party for employees' children (with a visit from Santa), monthly birthday celebrations throughout the year, and a long-service employee recognition dinner every year. Pfizer captures feedback and keeps employees informed about new company developments through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

Pfizer Canada'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. In addition to competitive compensation, the company provides signing bonuses for some employees; year-end bonuses for all employees; generous year-end bonuses (to $100,000), depending on the position; defined contribution pension plan with employer contributions (up to 9% of salary); matching RSP contributions (up to 4% of salary); new employee referral bonuses (to $1,500 for some positions); life & disability insurance; preferential rates on home and auto insurance; and free use of company vans (even on weekends).

Pfizer Canada's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. The company's health benefits plan is managed by Sun Life Financial As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% 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. Family coverage is available on the health benefits plan. Retiree coverage is also available on the health plan, with no age limit. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($200 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; employee assistance (EAP) plan; healthclub subsidy (to $450 each year); medical equipment and supplies; physiotherapy; massage therapy; travel insurance. Pfizer Canada's family friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 100% of salary for 17 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 100% of salary for 17 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave; extended unpaid parental leave option (beyond the first year); onsite daycare centre; subsidized onsite daycare; with 62 spaces; 21 childcare workers; and a 24 month waiting list for available spaces. Additional family friendly benefits include; post-secondary academic scholarships for children of employees; compassionate top-up payment (to 100% of salary for 8 weeks) while caring for a family member; flexible working hours; 35-hour work week (with full pay); compressed work week; telecommuting.

Pfizer Canada'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 6 weeks of vacation each year. Employees receive 5 paid sick days every year. Employees can schedule 4 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence.

Pfizer Canada's 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. Exit interviews are provided for departing employees. The company recognizes exceptional employee performance through the in-house "STARS" peer recognition program that lets employees nominate their co-workers for a job well-done, the "Circle of Excellence Award" for its top performing sales representatives, and even through stock options for some employees. Pfizer Canada hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

Pfizer Canada's training and skills development program is rated as exceptional. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (Employer covers up to 100% of tuition). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. (Employer covers up to 100% of non-related tuition). Along with tuition subsidies, the company encourages ongoing employee development with subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades programs; formal mentoring program; career planning services; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; new employee orientation program.

Pfizer Canada's community involvement program is rated as above-average. Pfizer and its employees support a variety of charitable initiatives every year. 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 also encourages employees to support charitable organization through a matching donation program. As part of this program Pfizer Canada matches all employee donations of at least $25 and up to $1,000. Pfizer Canada's parent company also operates the unique "Pfizer's Global Health Fellows" program, which a talent development program that encourages employees to help create a healthier world -- employees volunteer for three- to six-month assignments living and working around the world in communities where better medicines and health care services are needed the most. Founded in 2003, over 230 Pfizer employees have worked with over 30 NGO partners in 39 countries.