Sophos Inc.

Sophos Inc.'s physical workplace is rated as above-average. The six-floor, downtown head office was recently renovated, with new carpets and lighting, remodelled workstations, and a dedicated training room in the basement. The workplace was designed as an open space, with low cubicle walls, and only a few self-contained offices. The building is easily reached via public transit and is close to the popular Gastown and Yaletown neighhourhoods. Inside, the head office also features an employee lounge (that's open 24/7 and features music, pool table, table hockey, foosball, video games, a self-serve lunch area with free coffee and tea, cookies and fresh fruit, and a DJ station is set-up every month where employees spin tunes for their co-workers during monthly socials); secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; shower facilities for bicycle commuters (complete with shampoo, soap, and hair dryers); on-site laundry facilities; free coffee or tea; rooftop patio; outdoor barbecue; subsidized sandwiches, wraps and salads delivered daily.

Sophos Inc.'s work atmosphere is rated as very good. Throughout the year, employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress daily; can listen to music while working; can bring pets to work when needed. The organization hosts monthly social gatherings in the fully equipped lounge, Friday barbeques (weather permitting), in addition to a summer boat cruise, children's Hallowe'en party, and a holiday party during the Christmas season. Sophos also celebrates each new company-wide product launch, complete with free company swag. In a unique employee-driven initative, employees have formed their own "Wednesday Cake-Club", with employees taking turns in sharing the home-baked creations. Sophos communicates company news and collects employee feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

Sophos Inc.'s financial benefits are rated as very good. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 6 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 6 months. The company also provides new employee referral bonuses (to $2,500 for some positions); year-end bonuses for all employees; year-end bonuses (to $57,150); share-purchase plan for all employees; profit-sharing plan for all employees; matching RSP contributions (up to 3% of salary); life & disability insurance; free anti-spam/virus software (also for friends and family); discounts on Microsoft software for employees.

Sophos Inc.'s health and family benefits are rated as very good. Their 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 22 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 basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; eyecare ($300 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance; healthclub subsidy ($300 each year). The organization's family-friendly benefits include maternity leave top-up to 100% of salary for the first two weeks, followed by: maternity top-up payments (to 80% of salary for 10 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 100% of salary for 1 week); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 100% of salary for 1 week). Additional family-friendly benefits include: compassionate top-up payment (to 100% of salary for 4 weeks) while caring for a family member; flexible working hours.

Sophos Inc.'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. Employees can schedule 2 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees receive 10 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. (Vacation does increase to 3.5 weeks after three years on the job.).

Sophos Inc.'s employee engagement program is rated as above-average. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 6 months. Managers receive training in how to conduct effective performance reviews. As part of the review process employees can provide confidential feedback on their manager's performance. Sophos rewards exceptional performance with peer-nominated, monthly gift card draws, and prize draws at company-sponsored events with prizes ranging form Starbucks coffee cards to flat-screen televisions. The company's top sales employees are rewarded with an extra five days of paid vacation and $6,000 towards a trip of their choice. Sophos Inc. sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 6 months); Sophos Inc. hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

Sophos Inc.'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). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. (The employer provides up to $1,000 in tuition subsidies for non-related courses). In addition to tuition subsidies, the company suppports employees' career development with subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; new employee orientation program.

Sophos Inc.'s community involvement program is rated as above-average. The organization supports a variety of local and national charitable initiatives. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Employees receive paid time off to volunteer with their favourite charitable organizations. Employees also receive 2 paid days off to volunteer. Last year, employees donated over 180 hours volunteering with charitable projects. Approximately 4 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. Last year, Sophos and its employees supported the Food Bank & Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau, the high-technology employer-sponsored Soap Box Derby (raising over $250,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation) and the "Movember" mustache growing initiative in support of prostrate cancer research. Employees are also strong supporters of the annual United Way campaign, recently hosting a unique "Fear Factor" fundraising event -- employees made charitable bids challenging those daring employees to eat delicacies such as pig's feet, durian and habanero chili peppers.