Stryker Canada Inc.

Stryker Canada's physical workplace is rated as very good. The company's suburban head office offers convenient highway access and plenty of free parking for commuters. The two-storey head office is located atop the scenic Niagara Escarpment and features an outdoor patio and is close to walking trails, a number of conservation areas as well as the incredible Bruce Trail that winds alongside the escarpment, from Queenston on the Niagara River to Tobermory on Lake Huron. Inside, the head office features onsite fitness facility (with free membership, treadmills, stairmasters, weights, shower facilities and instructor-led classes such as yoga); employee lounge (with television); nap room; secure bicycle parking; free parking; self-serve lunchroom, and onsite conference and training facility.

Stryker Canada's work atmosphere is rated as very good. On the job, employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; organized social events. The company-subsidized Stryker Canada Social Committee organizes a variety of events throughout the year including an annual holiday dinner and dance, children's Christmas party, summer barbecue, golf tournament and pumpkin carving contests for Halloween. Stryker captures employee feedback and keeps employees up to date through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; traditional suggestion box; email suggestion box.

Stryker Canada'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. The company also offers new employee referral bonuses (to $2,000 for some positions); year-end bonuses for all employees; share-purchase plan for all employees; matching RSP contributions (up to 7% of salary); discounted company products, and life and disability insurance.

Stryker Canada's health and family benefits are rated as very good. The company's health benefits plan is managed by Manulife Financial. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. Employees who work 25 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 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance; healthclub subsidy (to $100 each year). As part of the plan, employees also receive a healthcare spending account (to $300 every year) to be used for additional coverage, with unused credits carried forward to the upcoming year. Stryker's family-friendly benefits include; fertility treatments; maternity top-up payments (to 100% of salary for 12 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 100% of salary for 12 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 100% of salary for 12 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave; extended unpaid parental leave option (beyond the first year). Additional family-friendly benefits include; compassionate top-up payment (to 100% of salary for 8 weeks) while caring for a family member; flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay).

Stryker 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 receive 6 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence.

Stryker Canada's employee engagement program is rated as above-average. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 3 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 performance through a range of informal and formal recognition programs including personalized notes of appreciation, quarterly and annual performance awards and service awards in recognition of longstanding employees. Stryker Canada sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 12 months); Stryker Canada hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

Stryker Canada's training and skills development program is rated as above-average. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (Employers cover up to 100% of tuition). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. (Employers pay up to $1,000 in tuition subsidies for non-related courses). In addition to tuition subsidies, the company provides subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; career planning services; new employee orientation program; formal mangement training program; paid internship opportunities and a year-long mentoring program that pairs top performers with experienced members of the leadership team.

Stryker Canada's community involvement program is rated as above-average. Stryker supports a variety of local, national and international charitable initiatives. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Approximately 35 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. In March, Stryker participated in a global fundraising campaign through the American Red Cross to assist those affected by the Japan earthquake and tsunami. The company matched employee donations dollar for dollar as well as donating an additional $150,000. The company also supports several non-profit healthcare organizations such as Operation Smile, Operation Walk and Doctors without Borders.