Statistics Canada

Statistics Canada's physical workplace is rated as exceptional. Statistics Canada's main office buildings are comprised of three buildings located in the campus-like setting of Tunney's Pasture, a few kilometres west of downtown Ottawa. The location is a short walk to parkland, running trails, baseball diamond and an outdoor shinny rink in the winter. Inside, the head office complex features an onsite fitness facility (with treadmills, stationary bikes, shower facilities, stairmasters, rowing machines, weights, instructor-led classes); employee lounge (with comfortable seating); library and information centre; onsite daycare centre; onsite medical centre with staff nurse; nap room; religious observance room; onsite cafeteria (with healthy menus); outdoor eating area; self-serve lunch area; secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies.

Statistics Canada's work atmosphere is rated as exceptional. On-the-job, head office employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress daily; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams; organized social events. The agency-subsidized Wellness Committee organizes a variety of social events, such as an outdoor recreation fair, organized hiking trips, walking clubs, and learn-to-run/bike/skate clinics. Statistics Canada also offers employees the opportunity to join more than 100 clubs and committees, including a swim club, mixed softball, volleyball and tennis leagues, a rugby club (for the over 40 set), a women's lacrosse team, and a paintball club, to name a few. The agency keeps employees up-to-date and gathers feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; traditional suggestion box; email suggestion box.

Statistics Canada's financial benefits are rated as above-average. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. Statistics Canada also provides a defined benefit pension plan; life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; year-end bonuses for some employees.

Statistics Canada's health and family benefits are rated as exceptional. The agency's health benefits plan is managed by Sun Life. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 80% of the premiums. Employees who work 13 hours per week receive coverage. The waiting period for new employees is 60 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 ($275 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. Statistics Canada's generous family-friendly benefits include; fertility treatments; maternity top-up payments (to 93% of salary for 52 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 93% of salary for 37 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 93% of salary for 37 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave; extended unpaid parental leave option (beyond the first year); subsidized onsite daycare; onsite daycare centre; with 49 spaces; 14 childcare workers; and a 12 month waiting list for available spaces; pre-arranged emergency short-term daycare. Operated in co-operation with Statistics Canada, the onsite daycare centre is operated by a non-profit, charitable organization that offers bilingual daycare for preschool-age children. 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; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); compressed work week; earned days off (EDO) program; phased-in retirement work options; Since creating a wellness committee in 2001, StatsCan has introduced lunch information sessions on health topics, an alternative health fair, smoking cessation programs, as well as encouraging employees to participate in a variety of in-house sports teams.

Statistics Canada'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 10 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 6 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can schedule 7 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees receive 15 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. The agency permitted one employee to take a one year leave of absence to live in France, where he and his family reconnected with other family members, traveled throughout Europe, and experienced what it was like to work in a French vineyard. (Depending on the position, some employees start with 4 weeks paid vacation).

Statistics Canada's employee engagement program is rated as very good. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 6 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 agency recognizes exceptional performance with a number of awards, including an employee of the year award, career excellence award, team of the year award, and individual and team merit awards. Statistics Canada sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. Statistics Canada hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 36 months).

Statistics Canada's training and skills development program is rated as average. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. The agency also supports ongoing employee career development with subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades programs; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; formal mentoring program; career planning services; new employee orientation program. Statistics Canada also requires new employees to rotate between several positions at the agency in order to improve their skills and expose them to different work areas. Employees are encouraged to refresh or advance their careers through a program that lets them to change jobs if they have worked at the same position for four years. Statistics Canada also has special mentoring programs for new external recruits, new hirees from other federal departments, and current employees transitioning to new roles within the organization.

Statistics Canada's community involvement program is rated as exceptional. The agency supports local, national and international charitable intiatives, from the Ottawa-area Snowsuit Fund (an organization that collects winter clothes for needy children) to a unique project that donates books to children in South Africa. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Employees also receive 1 paid day off to volunteer. Last year, employees donated over 36,810 hours volunteering with charitable projects. StatCan is also a strong support of the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign, which is a government-wide fundraising initiative that supports a wide range of of local charities. In a unique and popular initiative, the agency hosted it's fourth annual Statistics Cup Soccer Tournament for charity last year. Every year, employee teams (organized by department) compete for the chance to pit their soccer skills against the renowned 26th floor senior management squad, with all funds raised donated the United Way Ottawa and Centraide Outaouias.