Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Sunnybrook's physical workplace is rated as exceptional. Uniquely located on 97 acres of parkland in midtown Toronto, Sunnybrook's main location features has greenspace for employees to relax, walk, ride a bike and to comfortably host their annual staff BBQ, which is attended by over 3,600 employees every year. Within its campus-like setting, the main building features onsite fitness facility (with free memberships and 24/7 access, treadmills, stationary bikes, rowing machins, stairmasters, weights, shower facilities and instructor-led classes, such as yoga, pilaties, step and Nordic pole walking); employee lounge (with television, comfortable couches, video games); nap room; religious observance room; concierge services available; onsite cafeteria (with healthy and special diet menus); food court with Pizza Pizza, Tim Hortons, Druxy's, Swiss Chalet, Second Cup and other restaurant options; secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; The hospital's main site also features five outdoor patios, tennis courts, walking and biking trails in nearby Sunnybrook Park, onsite bank, and an onsite car wash. Sunnybrook also operates a free shuttle bus service for employees traveling between their main location and their downtown Toronto site (i.e.the Holland Orthopaedic & Arthritic Centre).

Sunnybrook's work atmosphere is rated as above-average. Employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress daily; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams; organized social events. Sunnybrook hosts regular social events, including a weekly staff barbecue every Thursday. Employees can also join the hospital basketball team, soccer team or choir. Sunnybrook communicates with employees through a bi-annual magazine, daily staff e-bulletins, staff forums and webcasts. The hospital also keeps employees up-to-date and gathers feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; traditional suggestion box; email suggestion box.

Sunnybrook's financial benefits are rated as above-average. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. Sunnybrook also provides a defined benefit pension with employer contributions (up to 4% of salary); life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; employee discounts with outside suppliers, from home insurance to fitness centre memberships.

Sunnybrook's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. Sunnybrook has five separate health benefits plans for its different employee groups. All plans are managed by Manulife Financial with varying levels of coverage, including employer paid premiums ranging from 75% to 100% of the premiums, with hours worked for coverage ranging from 24 hours to 37.5 hours per week. The majority of plans include a one month waiting period before coverage commences and all plans offer the following minimum coverages. Employees receive full family coverage on the health benefits plan. The health plan also includes retiree coverage up to 65 years of age. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; eyecare ($200 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan. (Some plans do include orthodontic coverage as part of their minimum.). The hospital's family-friendly benefits include; fertility treatments; maternity top-up payments (to 93% of salary for 26 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 93% of salary for 10 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 93% of salary for 10 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave; extended unpaid parental leave option (beyond the first year); onsite daycare centre; with 70 spaces; 22 childcare workers; and a 9 month waiting list for available spaces; pre-arranged emergency short-term daycare. Additional family-friendly benefits include; flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); reduced summer hours program; compressed work week; earned days off (EDO) program; phased-in retirement work options.

Sunnybrook's vacation and personal time-off are rated as exceptional. New employees receive 4 weeks of vacation allowance after their first year. Vacation increases after 10 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 7 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can schedule 2 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees receive 1 personal day off, as scheduled by their employer. Employees receive 5 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. Sunnybrook offers a deferred salary leave of absence plan, so employees can rely on income during their leave or utilize as they approach retirement.

Sunnybrook's employee engagement program is rated as above-average. 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; Sunnybrook sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 4 months); Sunnybrook hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

Sunnybrook's training and skills development program is rated as exceptional. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (Employers pay up to $2,000 in subsidies). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. (Employers pay up to $1,500 in tuition subsidies for non-related courses). Sunnybrook manages the Leadership Institute, an onsite training facility that provides specialized leadership training programs for senior-level employees in medical, administrative or middle management positions. The hospital supports ongoing career development with subsidies for professional accreditations; financial bonuses for course completions; 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; formal mangement training program.

Sunnybrook's community involvement program is rated as very good. Sunnybrook and its employees support local, national and international charitable organizations. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Employees receive paid time off to volunteer with their favourite charitable organizations. In addition to supporting a variety of local initiatives, such as local foodbanks, Christmas gift drives and the annual United Way campaign, Sunnybrook employees have volunteered their medial expertise overseas, have donated medical equipment and provided healthcare delivery and support services to individuals in developing nations and conflict zones, including Haiti, Afghanistan, Kenya and Kazakhstan.