Research In Motion Limited (RIM)

RIM's physical workplace is rated as very good. The company's Waterloo head office location includes 16 buildings (with 7 additional facilities in Waterloo) that are home to the company's primary research, manufacturing and administrative offices. Located in the heart of Canada's technology triangle, the head office campus is only a short walk to the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. Inside, the head office features an employee lounge (with comfortable seating); religious observance room; onsite cafeteria (with subsidized meals, healthy and special diet menu items, free coffee or tea, subsidized vending machines); secure bicycle parking; free parking; organized car pools; escort walking service to cars in the evening; shower facilities for bicycle commuters (in some buildings); self-serve kitchen areas; outdoor eating area; walking trail behind manufacturing facility; two Tim Hortons restaurants nearby as well as discounts at local restaurants.

RIM's work atmosphere is rated as exceptional. On the job, employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress daily; employee sports teams. Over the years, the highly successful company has also celebrated significant milestones and holidays with "RIM ROCKS" concerts, featuring past performances from the Tragically Hip, Van Halen, Barenaked Ladies, Aerosmith, and most recently, U2. RIM also sponsors employee softball, tennis, badminton, volleyball and hockey teams that compete in local leagues -- the company is one of the founding members of the city's popular hockey league for high-technology firms. Employees stay up-to-date about new company developments and can provide direct feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site.

RIM'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. RIM also provides signing bonuses for some employees; year-end bonuses for all employees; profit-sharing plan for all employees; matching RSP contributions (up to 3% of salary); life & disability insurance; discounts on home computers; free BlackBerry smartphone (and free RIM swag); discounts on auto lease rates; patent incentive program (inventor's bonus); variable incentive program; sales incentive program.

RIM's health and family benefits are rated as very good. The company's health benefits plan is managed by Sun Life Assurance of Canada. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. Employees who work 25 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 ($200 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). The company's family-friendly benefits include: maternity top-up payments (to 70% of salary for 6 weeks). Some RIM employees can receive maternity top-up payments to 90% of salary for up to 8 weeks. Additional family-friendly benefits include: flexible working hours; telecommuting.

RIM'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 5 weeks of vacation each year. During the Christmas to New Year's holiday break, employees receive an additional 3 days off. RIM considers previous work experience when setting annual vacation for new employees. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. Recently, one employee took an extended leave of absence to complete a Masters degree. Each year, RIM also provides employees with a 3 day paid holiday shutdown from Christmas to New Year's. (Depending on their position, some employees receive 4 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on-the-job).

RIM's employee engagement program is rated as above-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. Employees can also use an online career planning tool to set training objectives for the coming year, and employees and managers utilize online communications to monitor progress throughout the year. RIM recognizes exceptional performance with a variable incentive program that incorporates individual and company performance. The company also has a unique patent incentive program that helps cultivate new ideas, and rewards them for sharing those ideas. RIM hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

RIM's training and skills development program is rated as very good. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (The employer subsidizes up to 100% of tuition). The company also assists employees' career development with subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; formal mentoring program; additional "training dollars" for each employee, which can be used for industry conferences and specific training programs.

RIM's community involvement program is rated as above-average. RIM is a major supporter of a variety of local charitable initiatives. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. As part of RIM's charitable program, a group of employees (called the Philanthropy Team) meet regularly to review new proposals. The company primarily focuses on providing support for science, engineering and business education initiatives. Every year, RIM supports students of all ages through a variety of programs, such as the Waterloo-Wellington Science and Engineering Fair, the Scientists in School program, and the FIRST Robotics initiative. The company also provides financial support and opportunities for university graduate students as well as teams of students who participate in engineering and business competitions. In addition, RIM employees volunteer with variety of charitable community initiatives every year, including the Kitchener-Waterloo food bank, the Angel Tree Foundation (which provides gifts to underprivileged children at Christmas) and the annual United Way campaign, to name a few. In addition to its corporate support, the company's co-CEOs, Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie, are widely recognized for their personal generosity within the community and in support of basic research initiatives, including: the University of Waterloo's Institute of Quantum Computing; the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics; and the Centre for International Governance Innovation.