Toronto Hydro's physical workplace is rated as average. Toronto Hydro's head office is located in a recently renovated building that was originally constructed in 1932 and features a vintage art deco exterior design. Interestingly, the facade of the building is built from limestone quarried from Queenston, where much of the electricity this utility sells is also generated. While most of the company's employees work outside the head office in service depots or maintenance yards, head office employees enjoy easy access to the subway, and hundreds of shops and restaurants within walking distance to the downtown location. The head office also features an employee lounge (with comfortable seating); religious observance room; onsite cafeteria (with healthy menus); secure bicycle parking; onsite credit union; self-serve lunchroom; and just a two minute walk to Tim Hortons, Second Cup and Starbucks.

Toronto Hydro's work atmosphere is rated as above-average. Depending on their position, employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress daily; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams; organized social events. The employee-led social committee (called the Toronto Hydro Club) has operated since 1961, and organizes a variety of social events throughout the year as well as arranging employee discounts for attractions across the city. In addition to sponsoring its own employee hockey team, the company also has an employee-led golf association. Employees are kept up-to-date and can provide direct feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

Toronto Hydro'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. In addition to competitive compensation (determined through salary surveys and the collective bargaining process, depending on the position), Toronto Hydro also provides year-end bonuses for some employees; defined benefit pension with employer contributions (up to 7.4% of salary); life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; new "Gain Sharing" program for some unionized personnel; discounted banking fees through member credit union; discounts on volume purchases of TTC passes.

Toronto Hydro's health and family benefits are rated as exceptional. Toronto Hydro'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 20 hours per week receive coverage. There is no waiting period before coverage begins. Family coverage is available on the health benefits plan. Retiree coverage is also available on the health plan, with no age limit. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($400 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; fertility treatment medications; employee assistance (EAP) plan; healthclub subsidy (to $450 each year); medical equipment and supplies; massage therapy; homecare; travel insurance. (The health club subsidy ranges up to $1,600, depending on the position). Toronto Hydro's family-friendly benefits include: maternity top-up payments (to 95% of salary for 52 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 95% of salary for 37 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 95% of salary for 37 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave. Additional family-friendly benefits include: compassionate top-up payment (to 95% of salary for 8 weeks) while caring for a family member; flexible working hours; 35-hour work week (with full pay); compressed work week; telecommuting; The public utility also offers a self-funded extended leave program, which lets employees work for two years at 80% of salary and then enjoy a six-month paid leave while receiving the deferred portion of their salary (also 80% of salary). Employees can also arrange to work four years and take a full year off while receiving their deferred pay.

Toronto Hydro'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 16 paid sick days every year. Employees can schedule 3 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. Employees can also take advantage of a self-funded leave program.

Toronto Hydro's employee engagement program is rated as average. 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 interviews are provided for departing employees. The company also hosts a special event to honour long serving employees who have reached the 25 year milestone. Toronto Hydro sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 6 months).

Toronto Hydro's training and skills development program is rated as above-average. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (Employer covers up to 100% of tuition). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. (Employer covers up to 100% of non-related tuition). In addition to full tuition subsidies, Toronto Hydro offers subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades programs; formal mentoring program; career planning services; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; new employee orientation program; formal management training program.

Toronto Hydro's community involvement program is rated as very good. Toronto Hydro actively supports a variety of local charitable initiatives. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Approximately 19 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. Last year, Toronto Hydro and its employees raised funds and supported the United Way as well as the One-on-One Mentoring program and school science fairs across the city. Through the company's "Brighter Days" matching donations program, employees are also eligible to have their charitable donations, including registration fees and volunteer efforts, matched by the company up to a maximum of $200 each year. And, at their manager's discretion, employees may also receive paid time off to volunteer with their favourite charitable initiative.