Stantec Consulting Ltd. employees wearing false moustaches for charity
Chosen as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers and Alberta's Top Employers for 2012:
By Richard Yerema and Kristina Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors
(
Oct 6, 2011)
Some of the reasons why Stantec was selected as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2012:
one of the country's most diversified building consulting firms and a leading advocate for sustainably designed buildings and projects -- working on an impressive range of projects, including: engineered wetlands (for wastewater treatment); installation and operation of wind farms and solar arrays; renovation and adaptation of older structures; and development of greenhouse gas management programs for customers, to name only a few
supports employees who are new mothers with maternity leave top-up payments (to 95% of salary for 6 weeks) and health coverage that extends throughout their leave
helps employees balance their work and personal life with alternative work arrangements including flexible hours, shortened work week option, telecommuting and a formal earned days-off program
lets everyone share in the company's success with a share purchase plan available to all as well as additional financial rewards including signing bonuses for some positions and employee referral bonuses (to $4,000)
encourages ongoing employee development with tuition subsidies for job-related courses, formal mentoring, in-house and online training programs, subsidies for professional accreditation and career planning services
helps employees plan for life after work with retirement planning assistance, phased-in work options and matching RSP contributions (up to 5% of salary)
Employer Background
Stantec Consulting Ltd. provides consulting services in planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, surveying, environmental sciences, and project economics for infrastructure and facilities projects.
Established in 1954, Stantec offers public and private sector clients an impressive range of engineering and construction services, including infrastructure design and development, industrial engineering, environmental consulting, feasibility studies, and project management services. The publicly-traded company continues to expand and add new jobs in Canada, recently acquiring the storied Nova Scotia-based firm of Jacques Whitford Limited. Along with its impressive range of core capabilities, Stantec also continues to develop expertise in sustainable development practices, employing over 480 LEED accredited professionals and completing over 100 projects that have achieved LEED certification.
Industry: Engineering Services.
Publicly traded.
Stock symbol: STN.
Established: 1954.
Major Canadian hiring locations: Calgary AB, Vancouver BC, Toronto ON,.
Revenues: $1,500 million.
Full-time employees in Canada: 5,371.
Full-time at this location: 1,072.
Full-time worldwide: 9,194.
Part-time employees in Canada: 399.
Voluntary employee turnover last year: 10.3%.
Longest serving employee: 50 years.
Workforce engaged on a contract basis: .6%.
Number of applications received at this location last year: 5,042.
Percentage of employees who are women: 34%.
Of managers: 22%.
Of directors: 6.7%.
Percentage of employees who are visible minorities: 12.5%.
Of managers: 8.5%.
Of directors: 1.7%.
Average age of all employees: 41.
Percentage of employees who are aboriginals: .7%.
Of managers: .5%.
Of directors: 1.7%.
Rating: APhysical Workplace
Stantec's physical workplace is rated as above-average. The company's downtown head office consists of three towers joined by an indoor courtyard and waterfall on the main floor. The building features a green roof constructed with vegetation, which helps reduce air pollution and manages storm water run off. The interior is decorated with photos of current and completed projects and the lobby houses a blood pressure machine for employees (as a part of a wellness program). Other features include an employee lounge (with comfortable seating, fireplace, and television); religious observance room; secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; shower facilities for employees who ride their bicycle to work; and an outdoor eating area. The office is also within minutes of Heritage Trail and the Edmonton River Valley, providing employees with access to 150 kilometers of trails for biking, walking, and skiing.
Rating: AWork Atmosphere & Communications
Stantec's work atmosphere is rated as above-average. Depending on the position, employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress Fridays; employee sports teams. Employees participate in a variety of social events throughout the year including an adult Christmas Party and Winter Gala, children's Christmas party at West Edmonton Mall Galaxyland amusement park, summer golf tournament, and milestone events in celebration of long service and employee achievement. Employees are kept up-to-date on company developments through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site.
Rating: B+Financial Benefits & Compensation
Stantec's financial benefits are rated as very good. 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, Stantec provides signing bonuses for some employees; new employee referral bonuses (to $4,000 for some positions); share-purchase plan for all employees; matching RSP contributions (up to 5% of salary); life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; and year-end bonuses for some employees. Year-end bonuses for some employees.
Rating: B+Health & Family-Friendly Benefits
Stantec's health and family benefits are rated as very good. Stantec's health benefits plan is managed by Great West Life. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 80% of the premiums. Employees who work 20 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 ($300 every 1 year); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. Stantec's family-friendly benefits include; fertility treatments; maternity top-up payments (to 95% of salary for 6 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave; extended unpaid parental leave option (beyond the first year). Additional family-friendly benefits include; flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); earned days off (EDO) program; phased-in retirement work options.
Rating: C+Vacation & Personal Time-Off
Stantec's vacation and personal time-off are rated as below-average. New employees receive 2 weeks of vacation allowance after their first year. Vacation increases after 4 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 4 weeks of vacation each year. During the Christmas to New Year's holiday break, employees receive an additional 4 days off. Employees receive 5 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence.
Rating: A+Employee Engagement
Stantec's employee engagement program is rated as exceptional. 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. Exit interview provided for departing employees. The company recognizes exceptional performance through awards of excellence and milestone service awards for employees' contribution to the success of the company (given in five year increments). Employees may be nominated by peers or supervisors and awards are given in the following categories: "One Team"; Design and Technical; Marketing and Business Development; Managerial; Customer Service; Asset Management; and Health and Safety. Stantec sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 12 months); Stantec hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).
Rating: B+Training & Skills Development
Stantec's training and skills development program is rated as very good. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (Employers cover up to 75% of tuition). In addition to tuition subsidies, Stantec provides subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; formal mentoring program; career planning services; new employee orientation program; formal management training program. Stantec also operates a career development centre to help employees identify, plan for, and achieve their career goals. The centre offers numerous learning resources, career planning advice, and training recommendations.
Rating: ACommunity Involvement
Stantec's community involvement program is rated as above-average. Stantec and its employees support a variety of local, national, and international charitable organizations. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Approximately 400 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. Last year, the company donated 1% of its annual pretax profits to charitable and non-profit organizations (over $1 million). The Edmonton offices organized the "12 Days of Giving" initiative, an internal competition to raise donations for the Edmonton Food Bank and Santa's Anonymous. Stantec also partnered with the City of Calgary as part of the "Annual River and Pathway" cleanup effort to raise awareness of the growing accumulation of litter in parks, pathways and river valleys.
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