Stikeman Elliott LLP

Stikeman Elliott's physical workplace is rated as average. Operating as a nationwide partnership, the law firm has no traditional head office. Each of its Canadian offices are located in the centre of their respective cities, offering convenient access to restaurants, health clubs, recreational and entertainment facilities, and public transit. Depending on their location, employees may also have access to a religious observance room, private nap room, employee lounge (with television), self-serve lunch rooms, free coffee or tea, a fully-equipped kitchen, shower facilities for bicycle commuters, and walking distance to self-serve BIXI bicycle rental stands in Toronto and Montréal.

Stikeman Elliott's work atmosphere is rated as above-average. Throughout the year, employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; organized social events. All offices organize regular, firm-sponsored social events, such as a themed summer social, annual family party, employee retreats, annual staff appreciation days, a multicultural day, golf and spa weekends, hockey games, squash tournaments and holiday event, complete with a unique annual tradition at the firm -- the showcasing of a movie made by articling students that highlights lighter side of life at the firm. Across the firm, employees also participate in a number of sponsored sports teams that play in recreation leagues, including hockey, softball, touch football, beach volleyball and basketball teams. The firm keeps employees informed through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site.

Stikeman Elliott's financial benefits are rated as average. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. The firm also provides signing bonuses for some employees; new employee referral bonuses (to $1,000 for some positions); year-end bonuses for all employees; matching RSP contributions (up to 5% of salary); life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; discounts on home computers; referral bonuses up to $5000 for lawyer personnel; discounts on a variety of products and services, including home computer equipment.

Stikeman Elliott's health and family benefits are rated as very good. Their health benefits plan is managed by Sun Life Financial. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. Employees who work 21 hours per week receive coverage. The maximum 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; orthodontics; eyecare ($300 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance; healthclub subsidy (to $1,000 each year). Monthly lunch and learns on wellness topics, such as fitness, nutrition, meditation, parenting; walking clubs in various offices. (There is no health benefits waiting period for some positions.) As part of the health plan, retiring employees remain enrolled in the benefits plan for the first year of their retirement. Stikeman Elliott's family-friendly benefits include: fertility treatments; maternity top-up payments (to 100% of salary for 17 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 100% of salary for 17 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave; pre-arranged emergency short-term daycare. (Note: Parental top-up numbers apply to associate personnel as well as law clerk personnel in the Toronto office) Additional family-friendly benefits include: flexible working hours; telecommuting; 35-hour work week (with full pay); shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); reduced summer hours program; earned days off (EDO) program.

Stikeman Elliott'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. During the Christmas to New Year's holiday break, employees receive an additional 1 day off. Employees receive 10 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. (One employee was recently granted a two-year leave of absence to accompany her husband on an international work assignment.).

Stikeman Elliott's employee engagement program is rated as very good. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 12 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. Exit interview provided for departing employees. Performance goals may be reviewed periodically during the year, as determined by the employee and their manager. The goal of the firm's performance review process is to create ongoing two-way conversations and avoid creating a stressful annual review scenario. The firm rewards exceptional performance through a variety of recognition awards, including cash bonuses (from $100 to $6000), gift certificates, restaurant dinners, movie tickets, travel vouchers and spa passes. Stikeman Elliott hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

Stikeman Elliott's training and skills development program is rated as very good. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (Employers pay up to $1,000 in subsidies). In addition to tuition subsidies, the firm supports employees' ongoing career development with subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; formal mentoring program; new employee orientation program; extensive electronic and print library collection; language training (French and English); intranet learning portal (called STELLA); formal online training program (called SE University); mentorship program for all new firm members; and legal retreats and team building events. As part of its in-house training programs, the firm has "knowledge management" lawyers on staff who help employees develop and refine their analytical and writing skills.

Stikeman Elliott's community involvement program is rated as exceptional. The firm supports local and national charitable initiatives every year. Every year, employees at each office location support numerous local charitable initiatives in their communities as well as supporting the national United Way fundraising campaign (over $776,000 was raised last year). Stikeman Elliot also maintains a long-standing a pro bono giving program to assists community and charitable initiatives in need. The firm also encourages employee volunteerism by providing matching donations of up to $600 per year to charities where their employees volunteer. In addition, employees who volunteer as charitable board members may also receive matching donations (to $5,000) for their chosen charitable group -- impressively, the firm provided over $116,000 in matching donations through this program last year.