Chosen as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers and Canada's Top Family-Friendly Employers for 2010:
By Richard Yerema and Rachel Caballero, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Nov 2, 2009)
Some of the reasons why Simon Fraser University was selected as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2010:
provides parental leave top-up payments for new mothers, fathers and adoptive parents (to 100% for 37 weeks)
employees can take advantage of an onsite daycare facility as well as a summer day camp program for school-age children of employees
gives employees free memberships to a state-of-the-art fitness facility
provides employees with a generous tuition subsidy -- with no annual maximum -- for courses taken at the university
offers employees a health benefits plan that extends through retirement, with no age limit
Employer Background
Simon Fraser University (SFU) is a major Canadian university, offering more than 100 programs to over 30,000 students at three campus locations.
Founded in 1965 (and named after the explorer who charted the province of British Columbia in the 19th century), Simon Fraser University is comprised of six faculties, 60 departments, as well a number of subject oriented academic institutes and centres. SFU also serves students across the province through its well-developed Centre for Online and Distance Education. The University has established academic partnerships with leading academic institutions in 39 countries, including their unique international dual-degree program with Zhejiang University in China. SFU has three campuses, located in Burnaby (their main campus), Vancouver and Surrey.
Industry:Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools. Established: 1965. Major Canadian Hiring Locations: Burnaby BC, Vancouver BC, Surrey BC. Revenues: $501 million. Full-Time Employees in Canada: 4,381. Part-Time employees in Canada: 2,683. Voluntary employee turnover last year: 9%. Longest serving employee: 41 years. Workforce engaged on a contract basis: 1%. Number of applications received at this location last year: 6,700. Percentage of employees who are women: 57%. Of managers: 43%. Percentage of employees who are visible minorities: 20%. Of managers: 6%. Average age of all employees: 47.
Rating: A+Physical Workplace
Simon Fraser University's physical workplace is rated as exceptional. SFU's suburban campus is located on top of Burnaby Mountain, which offers breathtaking views overlooking Burrard Inlet and the surrounding city. The original campus building was designed by Arthur Erickson and its awared winning and unique architectural style has made it a popular location for movie and television productions. (SFU also has satellite campus locations in downtown Vancouver and Surrey.) The main campus features an onsite fitness facility (with free memberships, treadmills, stationary bikes, stairmasters, rowing machines, weights, basketball courts, squash and racketball courts, Olympic-sized pool, sauna, instructor-led classes in Pilates, Step, Yoga and Tai-chi, and an all-weather soccer field, outdoor running track and mountain bike trails); employee lounge (with pool and foosball tables, video games and comfortable couches); religious observance room; onsite cafeteria (with free coffee or tea, outdoor patio and healthy menu options); secure bicycle parking; and a large selection of restaurants and cafes on campus and within walking distance.
Rating: AWork Atmosphere & Communications
Simon Fraser University's work atmosphere is rated as above-average. Throughout the year, employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress daily; can listen to music while working; can bring pets to work when needed; employee sports teams; organized social events. The University hosts a number of social events every year, including employee parties at Christmas, the President's Annual Appreciation Barbeque and Picnic, an annual Retirement Tea and Dinner, employee recognition events, monthly departmental birthday lunches and an annual departmental reception hosted at the President's residence. SFU keeps employees up-to-date and encourages feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; traditional suggestion box.
Rating: AFinancial Benefits & Compensation
Simon Fraser University'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, Simon Fraser University offers defined benefit pension with employer contribution (up to 12.7% of salary); defined contribution pension plan with employer contribution (up to 9.5% of salary); life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; discounts on home computers; subsidized home Internet access.
Rating: AHealth & Family-Friendly Benefits
Simon Fraser University's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. The University has separate health plans for its faculty, administrative and professional as well as its union employee groups. The plans are managed by Pacific Blue Cross, Manulife Financial and Industrial Alliance Pacific. Most SFU employees receive the following coverages. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. Employees who work 14 hours per week receive coverage. The waiting period for new employees is 90 days. Employees receive full family coverage on the health benefits plan. The health plan also includes retiree coverage with no age limit. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($300 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. Simon Fraser University's family-friendly benefits include: maternity top-up payments (to 100% of salary for 37 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 100% of salary for 37 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 100% of salary for 37 weeks); onsite daycare centre; with 234 spaces; 60 childcare workers; and a 6 month waiting list for available spaces. While open to the community at large, SFU employees receive priority status at the onsite daycare facility. As part of the new "UniverCity" new-urbanist development surrounding the university, additional daycare and a centrally located elementary school are being developed. Additional family-friendly benefits include; compassionate top-up payment (to 100% of salary for 1 week) while caring for a family member; flexible working hours; telecommuting; 35-hour work week (with full pay); shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); compressed work week; earned days off (EDO) program; phased-in retirement.
Rating: AVacation & Personal Time-Off
Simon Fraser University's vacation and personal time-off are rated as above-average. New employees receive 4 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. During the Christmas to New Year's holiday break, employees receive an additional 3 days off. Employees receive 130 paid sick days every year.
Rating: AEmployee Engagement
Simon Fraser University'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. (Faculty employees participate in a peer review process); Simon Fraser University sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 12 months); Simon Fraser University hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 24 months).
Rating: A+Training & Skills Development
Simon Fraser University's training and skills development program is rated as exceptional. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (The employer subsidizes up to 100% of tuition). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. (The employer subsidizes up to 100% of non-related tuition). In addition to having tuition fees waived for SFU courses, the University also supports ongoing career development with subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades internships; in-house training programs; online training programs.
Rating: B+Community Involvement
Simon Fraser University's community involvement program is rated as very good. In addition to its role in the community, the University supports a variety of local 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. Last year the University and its employees (and students) supported the annual United Way campaign, the Annual Campus Community Bursary Fund, the Student Food Bank, the Multicultural Canada Conference, and the Spring Garden Sale for Student Bursaries (the popular spring sale was initiated by a group of employee volunteers).
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