Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Sunnybrook's physical workplace is rated as above-average. Located on nearly one hundred acres of parkland in midtown Toronto, Sunnybrook's main location features has greenspace to comfortably host their annual staff BBQ, which is attended by nearly 4000 employees every year. Their head office complex features an onsite fitness facility (with free memberships and 24/7 access); employee lounge (with television, comfortable couches, video games); nap room; religious observance room; onsite cafeteria (with healthy and special diet menus); secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; The hospital's main site also features five 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; casual dress Fridays; 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 very good. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. Sunnybrook also provides a defined benefit pension with employer contribution (up to 11.6% of salary); life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; subsidized home and auto insurance.

Sunnybrook's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. Sunnybrook'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 24 hours per week receive coverage. The waiting period for new employees is 31 days. 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; traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; employee assistance (EAP) plan. The hospital's family-friendly benefits include; 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); onsite daycare centre; with 70 spaces; 21 childcare workers; and a 10 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.

Sunnybrook's vacation and personal time-off are rated as above-average. 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 75 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 time off.

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. Sunnybrook rewards exceptional performance with educational grants, scholarships for further education and cash rewards. 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 above-average. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (The employer provides up to $2,000 in subsidies). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. (The employer provides 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 internships; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; formal mentoring program; career planning services.

Sunnybrook's community involvement program is rated as very good. Sunnybrook and its employees support local, national and international charitable organizations, such as the United Way. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Employees receive paid time off to volunteer with their favourite charitable organizations. Last year, Sunnybrook employees volunteered their services overseas, donating medical equipment and providing healthcare delivery and support services to individuals in developing nations and conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Kenya and Kazakhstan.