Upside Software Inc.

Upside Software's physical workplace is rated as above-average. The downtown head office is located on the third floor of a mixed-use office building with a retail concourse on the main floor that offers convenient access to a variety of shops, movie theatres, pubs, cafés and restaurants. As part of the head office employees also have convenient access to an onsite fitness facility (with subsidized memberships, treadmills, stationary bikes, shower facilities, stairmasters, rowing machines, weights and instructor-led classes, personal trainers and free towel service); employee lounge (with comfortable seating, a massage chair, poker table, music, television, video games, pool table, foosball table, table hockey, table tennis, board games); nap room; religious observance room; secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; two private patios (one patio features a barbeque); free coffee or tea; self-serve lunchroom; free snacks (breakfast cereals, health bars, muffins).

Upside Software's work atmosphere is rated as above-average. On the job, employees enjoy a relaxed work environment (ie. nerf gun fights and remote controlled car racing is okay) and enjoy casual dress daily; can listen to music while working; can bring pets to work when needed; employee sports teams; organized social events. The company-subsidized social committee organizes a variety of fun events throughout the year, including monthly barbecues, family barbecues in the summer, golf tournament, poker tournaments and movie nights. In addition to a busy social calendar, the company also keeps employees informed and encourages feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; traditional suggestion box; email suggestion box.

Upside Software's financial benefits are rated as above-average. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 6 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 6 months. The company also provides signing bonuses for some employees; new employee referral bonuses (to $2,500 for some positions); year-end bonuses for all employees; year-end bonuses (to $20,000); share-purchase plan for all employees; profit-sharing plan for all employees; matching RSP contributions (up to 6% of salary); life & disability insurance; subsidized home Internet access; overtime can be banked for additional time off or paid out as taxable income; on-the-spot cash bonuses; free DVD and video game rentals.

Upside Software's health and family benefits are rated as very good. Their health benefits plan is managed by Great West Life. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. The health plan is a flexible plan with adjustable premiums and coverage levels. Employees who work 40 hours per week receive coverage. The 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 ($50 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; travel insurance; healthclub subsidy ($240 each year). Onsite massage therapy. Upside's family-friendly benefits include: maternity top-up payments (to 100% of salary for 8 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 100% of salary for 8 weeks); adoption assistance subsidy to $500 per child; offsite daycare subsidy to $200 per child. Additional family friendly benefits include: flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); reduced summer hours program; earned days off (EDO) program.

Upside Software'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 4 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can schedule 4 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees receive 6 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence.

Upside Software's employee engagement program is rated as above-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. As part of the review process, individual employees rate their own performance online and meet with the human resources manager discuss their self-assessments, collect feedback and establish career development plans for the upcoming year. Upside Software recognizes exceptional performance with a variety of rewards, including on-the-spot bonuses (from movie tickets to cash bonuses), free tickets to concerts and hockey games, use of the company time-share (with access to properties worldewide), and the chance to win an all-inclusive one week vacation for two to Los Cabos (with a private villa). Upside Software sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 3 months).

Upside Software's training and skills development program is rated as very good. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (The employer subsidizes up to 100% of tuition). (The employer provides up to $1,500 in subsidies). The company also supports ongoing employee career development with subsidies for professional accreditations; 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.

Upside Software's community involvement program is rated as above-average. Every year the company and its employees support a variety of local, national and international charitable initiatives. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Employees receive paid time off to volunteer with their favourite charitable organizations. Employees also receive 2 paid days off to volunteer. Last year, employees donated over 500 hours volunteering with charitable projects. Approximately 15 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. Upside and its employees supported the United Way, the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation and the Aga Khan Foundation, to name a few. The company also focuses on children's charities serving Edmonton youth, including the the Kids Kottage Foundation, which is a charity dedicated to the prevention of child abuse -- the company has made annual $25,000 donations, starting in 2001. Employees have also donated their expertise in the development of an online auction engine for the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, which donates over $1 million every year to charities focused on children, education and healthcare.