Vancouver Island Health Authority

VIHA's physical workplace is rated as very good. VIHA's employees work in a variety of settings, from hospitals and healthcare facilities in urban settings to remote outposts only accessible by seaplane or boat. The organization's main administrative office is located in Begbie Hall at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, which is a designated heritage building founded in 1936 (with rumours that the ghost of a former matron roams the hallways to ensure order). The hospital location is the largest facility and is situated within a 26-acre campus setting. Inside the heritage building, employees can take advantage of an onsite co-operative-run staff gym onsite fitness facility (with treadmills, stationary bikes, stairmasters, rowing machines, weights, basketball courts and shower facilities); employee lounge (with comfortable seating); nap room; religious observance room; onsite cafeteria (with healthy menus); onsite Tim Hortons; secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; car pool sign-up system; shower facilities for bicycle commuters.

VIHA's work atmosphere is rated as very good. On the job, and depending on the position, employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; can bring pets to work when needed; employee sports teams. Across the VIHA, individual departments organize a variety of social events for employees. The Authority hosts events to recognize its longest serving and retiring employees. In a unique and appropriate initiative for a healthcare provider, 50 employee teams participated in the annual "Bike to Work Week" last year. The organization keeps employees up-to-date and gathers employee feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; traditional suggestion box; email suggestion box.

VIHA's financial benefits are rated as very good. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 24 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. Along with ensuring that its pay levels remain competitive, VIHA provides new employee referral bonuses (to $300 for some positions); defined contribution pension plan with employer contributions (up to 8.38% of salary); life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance.

VIHA's health and family benefits are rated as very good. The Authority has separate plans for its union and non-union employees. The health benefits plans are managed by Pacific Blue Cross. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. The waiting period for new employees is 60 days. Employees receive full family coverage on the health benefits plan. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($250 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; travel insurance. Additional family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 85% of salary for 17 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave; extended unpaid parental leave option (beyond the first year). Depending on the position, additional family-friendly benefits include; flexible working hours; telecommuting; 35-hour work week (with full pay); shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); reduced summer hours program; compressed work week; earned days off (EDO) program.

VIHA'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 9 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can schedule 5 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees receive 18 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. Depending on the position (union and non-union), employees can take short paid leaved of absence for marriage leave (to 5 days), paternity leave (1 day), family emergency leave (to 2 days at any one time) and compassionate leave (to 5 days).

VIHA's employee engagement program is rated as 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; VIHA sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. VIHA hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys.

VIHA's training and skills development program is rated as very good. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. VIHA operates a scholarship program in support of ongoing employee development. Scholarships are available to employees with casual, part-time, or full-time employment status, and requests are reviewed by a scholarship committee. Scholarships are provided to a maximum of $750 per year, subject to available funding, and in special cases, award amounts are greater. Recipients are expected to commit to a minimum of one year of service with VIHA. The Authority also offers sponsored post graduate (specialty) education opportunities to nurses, and if approved, VIHA sponsorship includes education costs and continued salary support. In addition, employees can also take advantage of 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; new employee orientation program; formal mangement training program. In 2005, VIHA launched a mentorship program for new graduates in the nursing field. Each year, employee mentors help more than 200 RNs and RPNs in the early stages of their careers make the transition from student to healthcare practitioner. The program has mentored more than 800 nurses to date, with more than 90% of participants choosing to continue their careers at VIHA. Based on the success of this program, VIHA is currently developing a mentorship program for employees throughout the organization.

VIHA's community involvement program is rated as above-average. Beyond its mandate to provide quality healthcare services to the people of Vancouver Island, the Authority and its employees actively work with a number of community agencies and charitable organizations towards the same goal. Some examples include the Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth Program (PARTY) to educate grade 10 students about the consequences of irresponsible drinking before they can drive; the annual United Way campaign; the Time-Colonist 10K Run; and the annual Bike to Work Week initiative to promote healthy commuting.