Queen's University

Queen's University's physical workplace is rated as exceptional. Located in historic Kingston, the university campus is only a short walk away from downtown, which offers a great variety of restaurants and shops in beautiful setting. The campus is also situated along the Lake Ontario shoreline offering great views, parkland and nearby beaches. Employees can take advantage of many campus facilities onsite fitness facility (with subsidized memberships, treadmills, stationary bikes, stairmasters, rowing machines, weights, basketball and volleyball courts, instructor-led classes, swimming pool, dance studios, squash and raquetball courts, shower facilities); onsite cafeteria (with multiple locations across the campus, including two student-operated locations); onsite Tim Hortons and Starbucks coffee shops; a Grad Club with live music; and the Unviersity Club (with a restaurant and banquet facilities); secure bicycle parking; onsite Tim Horton's, cafés, walking trails.

Queen's University's work atmosphere is rated as very good. Across the university, employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; can bring pets to work when needed; organized social events. Every year, the university hosts a staff appreciation day and Principal's Holiday Reception during the Christmas season and long-service celebrations to recognize long-serving and retiring employees. Queen's keeps employees informed and gathers feedback through a company newsletter; email suggestion box.

Queen's University's financial benefits are rated as average. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. Queen's also provides a unique hybrid pension plan (includes both a guaranteed minimum benefit with the opportunity to enjoy the rewards of strong investment performance of the plan); life & disability insurance; discounted home mortgages.

Queen's University's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. The university's health benefits plan is managed by Great West Life. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. Employees who work 15 hours per week receive coverage. 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. Eyecare ($250 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. Queen's University's family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 100% of salary for 20 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 100% of salary for 15 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 100% of salary for 15 weeks); offsite daycare subsidy to $2,000 per child; subsidized onsite daycare; onsite daycare centre; with 54 spaces; 18 childcare workers; and a 12 month waiting list for available spaces. Additional family-friendly benefits include; flexible working hours; telecommuting; 35-hour work week (with full pay); shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); reduced summer hours program; phased-in retirement; tuition support plan for family members of employees (to $3000 per student each academic year); summer camp programs for children.

Queen's University'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 6 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. Queen's provides a self-funded absence of leave option, so employees can receive some income during their time away. The university also offer paid sick days when needed (up to 180 days).

Queen's University's employee engagement program is rated as average. 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. Queen's University hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 24 months).

Queen's University's training and skills development program is rated as above-average. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. In addition, the university supports employees' career development with subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; Queen's tuition support plan for employees (to $5,000) and for family members of employees (to $3000 per student each academic year).

Queen's University's community involvement program is rated as average. In addition to its broader role in the community, the university and its employees support local and international charitable initiatives. Last year, Queen's and its employes raised more than $300,000 for the local United Way campaign. Reaching-out beyond the community, one university professor also applied his expertise in social and community work to lead a team to help establish social care centres in Sri Lanka following the 2004 tsunami. The university's cancer researcher also participate in the annual Motorcycle Ride for Dad.