Shaw's physical workplace is rated as above-average. Shaw's head office tower (Shaw Court) is located in the heart of downtown Calgary. Originally built in 1988, the office is conveniently located within minutes of public transit and highway access, local restaurants, shopping and various outdoor parks, including Princess Island Park and River Valley, with biking and walking trails. Inside, the office features local artists' work, an employee lounge (with comfortable seating, music and television); onsite cafeteria (with healthy and special diet menus and subsidized meals) healthy snack program (fruit, yogurt, cheese and granola bars provided at no cost); secure bicycle parking.

Shaw's work atmosphere is rated as very good. On the job, employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress daily; employee sports teams. The company organizes a variety of annual social events including Easter egg hunts, Halloween celebrations with costume parade and pumpkin carving contest, and holiday celebrations for employees and their partners. Shaw hosts company-wide "Employee Dialogue Sessions", through which employees meet with senior leaders and are able to ask questions and share feedback directly. Employees are also kept up to date about company developments through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

Shaw'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 ensuring competitive compensation, Shaw provides share-purchase plan for all employees; profit-sharing plan for all employees; signing bonuses for some employees; year-end bonuses for some employees; defined benefit pension plan; defined contribution pension plan with employer contributions (up to 5% of salary); life & disability insurance; subsidized home Internet access; retirement planning assistance; and discounted service rates for Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct. (Contributions to defined benefit or contribution pension plan depend on employee group.).

Shaw's health and family benefits are rated as average. The company's health benefits plan is managed by Great West Life. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 75% of the premiums. Employees who work 20 hours per week receive coverage. The maximum waiting period for new employees is 30 days. Family coverage is available 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; employee assistance (EAP) plan; medical equipment and supplies; physiotherapy; massage therapy; homecare; travel insurance. Shaw's family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 70% of salary for 15 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 70% of salary for 15 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 70% of salary for 15 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave; extended unpaid parental leave option (beyond the first year). (Some unionized employees also receive maternity and parental leave top-up). Shaw also partners with Kids & Company to provide employees with a variety of child care options, including full and part-time child care with a guaranteed space within 6 months of registration, montessori kindergarten program, and emergency back-up child care. Additional family-friendly benefits include: flexible working hours; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); telecommuting; reduced summer hours program.

Shaw'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 7 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 5 weeks of vacation each year. Employees receive 7 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. (Some unionized employees start at two weeks of vacation allowance).

Shaw'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. Exit interviews are provided for departing employees. The company offers performance-based bonuses twice a year and gift certificates for employees who go above and beyond the call of duty. Shaw sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. Shaw hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 24 months).

Shaw's training and skills development program is rated as very good. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. Shaw also encourages ongoing employee development through subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; new employee orientation program; formal management training program; leadership development programs; internships for students with physical disabilities; and Global Television internships for students of journalism, radio and television or media studies.

Shaw's community involvement program is rated as above-average. Shaw and its employees actively support a variety of local and national charitable initiatives. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Approximately 500 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. Shaw manages a volunteer recognition program that provides employees with an opportunity to give back. Employees who volunteer for a minimum of 60 hours per year can apply for a $200 grant for a charity of their choice. Employees may also take part in the Staff Charities program and donate a portion of their pay to a charitable initiative of their choice (with the company matching employee donations). 2.33.