Employment and Social Development Canada

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140, prom du Portage
Place du Portage, Phase IV
Gatineau, QC K1A 0J9
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is the fourth-largest federal government department, responsible for improving the standard of living and quality of life for all Canadians through programs such as the Child Care Benefit, Employment Insurance, and Passport Services.

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Employment and Social Development Canada
Employment and Social Development Canada employees  

Recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers (2023), Canada's Top Family-Friendly Employers (2023) and National Capital Region's Top Employers (2023):

Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Nov 17, 2022)

Here are some of the reasons why Employment and Social Development Canada was selected as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers (2023), Canada's Top Family-Friendly Employers (2023) and National Capital Region's Top Employers (2023):

  • Employment and Social Development Canada offers exceptional family-friendly benefits, from maternity and parental leave top-up payments for new mothers and fathers (to 93 per cent of salary ranging from 37 to 52 weeks) to subsidized onsite child care for employees working at the organization's Gatineau head office
  • Employment and Social Development Canada helps employees plan securely for the future with a defined benefit pension plan, pre-retirement workshops available to employees and their spouses (includes information on financial planning, health and nutrition and psychological aspects of retirement) and an option to embark on a pre-retirement transition leave (a special working arrangement whereby eligible employees who are within two years of retirement have their workweek reduced by up to 40 per cent)
Employees at Employment and Social Development Canada attend an Indigenous event  

Employer Background

Industry Federal government, social development, employment insurance, passport services
Established in Canada 2006
Major Canadian hiring locations Ottawa ON, St. John's NL, Toronto ON, Victoria BC, Winnipeg MB, Vancouver BC, Edmonton AB, Bathurst NB, Dartmouth NS, Gatineau QC, Montréal QC
Full-time employees in Canada 37,334
Part-time employees in Canada 1,946
Workforce engaged on a contract basis 18.3%
Average age of employees in Canada 41.9 years
Longest serving employee 57 years

Work Environment Rating: B+

Hybrid work established the Future of Work Secretariat under the leadership of a senior associate deputy minister to focus on the return to work and hybrid work options, offers reimbursements for the purchase of home office desks and chairs
Flexible work options flexible work hours, shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay), compressed work week, telecommuting, reduced summer hours, earned days off program
Commuter amenities walk to public transit, transit subsidies, electric vehicle charging stations, secure/sheltered bicycle parking, nearby bike sharing station
Onsite workplace features located across the street from Parliament Hill, the head office features a dedicated Learning Centre as part of the College@ESDC program (with in-person and virtual training rooms and classrooms with video conferencing), telecommuter workstations, sit-stand workstations, private phone booth, religious observance room, self-serve lunchroom, outdoor patio, and 2 outdoor courtyards with picnic tables
Other food options at main location nearby food court with numerous options including Tim Hortons, Starbucks, BarBurrito, Manchu Wok, Gabriel Pizza, and much more
Onsite fitness facility for employees only, free membership, subsidized membership, treadmills, stationary bikes, stairmasters, instructor-led classes (yoga, pilates, spin), rowing machines, weights, shower facilities

Work Atmosphere & Communications Rating: B

Past social events National Public Service Week (virtual activities include Monday draw-with-me kick-off, virtual games, mindfulness session, and a Service Canada MasterChef competition, to name a few)
Cultural aspects business-casual dress daily, dress-for-your-day policy, casual dress (e.g. jeans) daily, casual dress Fridays, music while working, employee sports teams, organized social activities for retirees
Employee communications intranet site, company newsletter, traditional/email suggestion box, internal social media
Other in-house communications podcasts, AskMeLive! live chat series with senior management, GCconnex (federal government's internal social networking platform), GCPedia (internal wiki used to collaborate on ideas, knowledge share and brainstorm)

Financial Benefits & Compensation Rating: A

Employee salary reviews individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months
Long-term savings defined-benefit (DB) pension
Long-term planning retirement planning assistance, phased-in retirement work options, life & disability insurance
Additional financial benefits year-end bonuses for some employees

Health & Family-Friendly Benefits Rating: A+

Health plan premium as part of the health plan, the employer pays up to 100% of the premiums
Minimum hours worked for coverage 13 hours per week
Waiting period for coverage 1 day
Family coverage option yes
Retiree coverage with no age limit yes
Dental coverage routine, restorative, orthodontics
Eyecare $275 every 2 years
Paid sick days employees receive 15 days off each year
Health plan includes employee assistance (EAP) plan, physiotherapy, homecare, medical equipment and supplies, massage therapy, podiatrist, osteopathy, chiropractor, virtual healthcare services
Mental health practitioner benefit up to $1,000 each year
Additional health and wellness initiatives mental health learning plan for all employees, workplace mental health and well-being sessions for managers, health and wellness platform through LifeSpeak
Maternity top-up (mothers) up to 93% of salary for 18 weeks
Parental top-up (mothers) up to 93% of salary for 34 weeks
Parental top-up (fathers) up to 93% of salary for 37 weeks
Adoption top-up up to 93% of salary for 37 weeks
Additional family-friendly benefits extended parental leave to unpaid leave, child care onsite

Vacation & Personal Time-Off Rating: B

Vacation note Employment and Social Development Canada has multiple employee groups, vacation policies may vary by position
Vacation allowance new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job
Vacation jump vacation increases after 9 years of employment
Maximum vacation allowance employees move to a maximum of 8 weeks of vacation over their career
Personal paid days off employees can schedule 2 personal days off each year, as needed
Unpaid leave maximum 60 months
Self-funded/deferred salary leave maximum 3 months

Employee Engagement & Performance Rating: B

Employee performance reviews employees receive individual performance reviews every 6 months
Managers receive performance review training yes
360° feedback option as part of the review process, performance feedback is also solicited from co-workers and other managers familiar with each employee's work
Confidential employee feedback employees can also provide confidential feedback on their manager's performance
Exit interview exit interview option is available for departing employees
Performance recognition individual performance bonuses, on-the-spot rewards, peer-to-peer recognition awards, long-service awards, tailored and unique rewards (e.g. travel), Deputy Ministers' Awards of Excellence in a variety of categories (policy and program design, leadership and people management, Indigenous programs and services, to name a few)
Outside survey period outside consultant surveys are held every 12 months

Training & Skills Development Rating: A

In-house training initiatives mentoring, in-house training, online training, mentoring to transfer retirees' skills
Related tuition subsidies employer covers up to 100% of tuition per year
Unrelated tuition subsidies employer covers up to 100% of tuition per year for courses unrelated to current position
Education leave educational leaves of absence are available
Unique training & development programs College@ESDC initiative across all branches and regions, micro missions, internal assignments and external secondments

Community Involvement Rating: A

Scope of charitable involvement national
Employee charitable involvement employees are involved in selection of charities
Some of the community organizations supported United Way (supporting 100 organizations), HealthPartners (supporting 16 organizations), and employees can direct their contributions to any registered charity of their choosing
Community highlight Employment and Social Development Canada participates in the Government of Canada's Workplace Charitable Campaign, raising over $1.7-million in the past year.

Recognized as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2023):

Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Jan 23, 2023)

Here are some of the reasons why Employment and Social Development Canada was selected as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2023):

  • New employees and students at Employment and Social Development Canada undergo an onboarding roadmap to help them integrate into the workplace -- the roadmap continues through the first six to 12 months of employment and includes activities such as training and mentoring, and information on internal policies and work processes
  • Employment and Social Development aims to reduce the barriers faced by early-career Indigenous employees through the Indigenous Student Hiring Guide, a collaborative effort developed with the employee-led Indigenous Recruitment, Retention and Advancement Steering Committee -- the organization also focuses on recruitment through career fairs and renewed approaches to Indigenous hiring and retention through mentoring and reverse mentoring opportunities
  • Employment and Social Development Canada utilizes a student bridging program, which allows managers to hire qualified recent graduates who have previously worked in the public service through approved student employment programs, such as co-ops and interns, Research Affiliate Program, or the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) -- grads may be hired on a term or indeterminate basis
Employment and Social Development Canada students work together   (Photo credit: Connor Roach)

Highlights

Industry Federal government, social development, employment insurance, passport services
Major Canadian hiring locations Ottawa ON, St. John's NL, Toronto ON, Victoria BC, Winnipeg MB, Vancouver BC, Edmonton AB, Bathurst NB, Dartmouth NS, Gatineau QC, Montréal QC
Full-time employees in Canada 37,334
Student opportunities co-op opportunities, paid internships
In-house training programs in-house training, online training, mentoring, leadership training
Related tuition subsidies employer covers up to 100% of tuition per year
Unique training and development opportunities College@ESDC (across all branches and regions), Indigenous Student Hiring Guide, Aspiring Leaders Development Program, micro missions (short-term, informal, part-time and task-based developmental opportunities to build skills outside of daily work), mentoring program open to all employees across the department
Additional highlights offers non-repayable grants for students from low and middle-income families, students with permanent disabilities, and students with dependents, participates in the Federal Student Work Experience Program, IT Apprenticeship Program for Indigenous Peoples
Dedicated employee resource group Youth Network for Greater Involvement (YMAGIN)
Vacation allowance new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job

Recognized as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers (2023):

By Kristina Leung and Stephanie Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Mar 6, 2023)

Here are some of the reasons why Employment and Social Development Canada was selected as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers (2023):

  • Employment and Social Development Canada created a diversity outreach, recruitment, retention and advancement team in 2021 with the goal of removing and preventing barriers to recruitment, retention and advancement for persons with disabilities, visible minorities, the LGBTQ2+ community, women, veterans and students
  • The organization also maintains a dedicated Indigenous recruitment, retention and advancement team (Indigenous-led unit that supports the organization's Indigenous recruitment strategy and initiatives that complement government-wide commitments to the Truth and Reconciliation report) as well as a Black engagement and advancement team, which recently carried out targeted outreach with over 500 Black communities
  • Employment and Social Development Canada publishes its workforce demographic profiles by branch and region, and monitors recruitment, promotion and departure rates -- regular employment equity dashboards are published on a quarterly basis to help inform gaps and strategy development to address them
Employees at Employment and Social Development Canada  

Highlights

Industry Federal government, social development, employment insurance, passport services
Major Canadian hiring locations Ottawa ON, St. John's NL, Toronto ON, Victoria BC, Winnipeg MB, Vancouver BC, Edmonton AB, Bathurst NB, Dartmouth NS, Gatineau QC, Montréal QC
Full-time employees in Canada 37,334
Management of diversity and inclusion initiatives departmental champions who help achieve departmental objectives, ESDC champions who are responsible for communities of practice and networks, integrated reconciliation working group (oversees the implementation of the organization's integrated reconciliation work plan, includes sub-committees on Indigenous awareness and learning)
Performance management and accountability employment equity dashboards are published at the portfolio and regional level on a quarterly basis to help inform gaps at the occupational group level and associated strategies to address them (dashboards are also shared with bargaining agents and diversity networks)
Employee resource groups Visible Minority Network, Employees with Disabilities Network, Pride Network (consultative body and safe forum for LGBTQ2+ employees and their allies to connect), Indigenous Employees' Circle, Muslim Federal Employees Network
Noteworthy diversity strategies and policies accessibility office recently created an accessibility roadmap that identifies actions and results over a multi-year period, conducts Gender-based Analysis Plus when a program, policy or initiative is being developed or renewed to assess impacts on diverse groups of women and men
Recruitment initiatives diversity outreach, recruitment, retention and advancement team created in 2021 to remove and prevent barriers to recruitment, retention and advancement for persons with disabilities, visible minorities, the LGBTQ2+ community, women, veterans and students, dedicated Indigenous recruitment, retention and advancement team (Indigenous-led unit that supports the organization's Indigenous recruitment strategy and initiatives that complement government-wide commitments to the Truth and Reconciliation report), dedicated Black engagement and advancement team (focuses on recruitment and retention, mental health, learning and awareness building, career coaching, mentorship and sponsorship), IT apprenticeship program for Indigenous peoples (offered by the innovation, information and technology branch, trainees can work virtually and remain in their home communities), community partnerships include the Neil Squire Society, March of Dimes, Live Work Play, Performance Plus Rehabilitative Care, and the Act-to-Employ initiative with Carleton University
Retention and development programs Indigenous intern leadership program (2-year program featuring 7-month placements within Service Canada as well as one placement at an Indigenous organization), Western Canada and Territories Indigenous employee mentorship program, mentoring and sponsorship program developed for racialized employees (in partnership with the Ontario Federal Council), sponsorship and leadership development program for executives from employment equity groups, Building Black Leaders program (created by Service Canada Atlantic Region and sponsored by the Atlantic Federal Council)
Training and awareness initiatives unconscious bias training for managers, Empowering Leadership Learning Experience (ELLE) video and armchair discussion series (variety of topics including representation of women in leadership roles, women promoting mental health, and the experience of Indigenous women), guide to support transgender employees and their managers (developed by the Pride Network)
Diversity highlights launched a Black Employee Community iService intranet page in 2021 to highlight Black experiences (features testimonials from employees)

The Career Directory

Employment and Social Development Canada has been selected for The Career Directory, our guide to entry-level recruitment for recent college and university graduates.
Employment and Social Development Canada students collaborate

Highlights for New Grads

Industry Federal government, social development, employment insurance, passport services
Full-time employees in Canada 25,001 to 50,000
Major Canadian hiring locations Ottawa ON, St. John's NL, Toronto ON, Victoria BC, Winnipeg MB, Vancouver BC, Edmonton AB, Bathurst NB, Dartmouth NS, Gatineau QC, Montréal QC
Student opportunities paid internships, co-op opportunities
Training online training, in-house training, mentoring, leadership training
Tuition subsidies (related to job) yes
Typical new grad positions Learning Administrator, Information Management Analyst, Executive Assistant, Human Resources Coordinator, Multimedia Developer, Coordinator, Project Services, Strategic Advisor, Passport Clerk, Data, Statistical Analysis Officer, Policy Analyst, Researcher, Database Analyst, Data Officer and Geomatics, Communications & Marketing Officer, Citizen Services Officer, Project Coordinator, Integrity Services Investigator, Plan Determination Officer, Citizen Services Specialist
Starting salary $50K to $55K
Work benefits health benefits for new employees, flexible work hours, telecommuting, transit subsidies
Vacation allowance new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job

Academic fields recruited

  • Bachelor of Arts
    • Archeology
    • Architecture - Design/History
    • Architecture - Landscape
    • Business
    • Criminology
    • Economics
    • English
    • French
    • Geography
    • Graphic / Fine Arts
    • History
    • Human Resources
    • Industrial Relations
    • Journalism
    • Languages (Other)
    • Museum Studies
    • Music
    • Philosophy
    • Political Science
    • Psychology
    • Public Relations / Communications
    • Recreation Studies
    • Social Work
    • Sociology
    • Urban Geography / Planning

Recruits at these schools

  • Acadia University
  • Algoma University
  • Algonquin College
  • Assiniboine Community College
  • Athabasca University
  • Bishop's University
  • Bow Valley College
  • Brandon University
  • British Columbia Institute of Technology
  • Brock University
  • Cambrian College
  • Camosun College
  • Canadore College
  • Cape Breton University
  • Capilano University
  • Carleton University
  • Carlton Trail Regional College
  • Centennial College
  • Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick
  • College of New Caledonia
  • College of the North Atlantic
  • College of the Rockies
  • Concordia University
  • Conestoga College
  • Confederation College
  • Dalhousie University
  • Douglas College
  • Durham College
  • Eastern College
  • École de technologie supérieure
  • Emily Carr University of Art and Design
  • Fanshawe College
  • First Nations University of Canada
  • Fleming College
  • George Brown College
  • Georgian College
  • Grande Prairie Regional College
  • Great Plains College
  • HEC Montréal
  • Holland College
  • Humber College
  • Keyano College
  • Kwantlen Polytechnic University
  • La Cité collégiale
  • Lakehead University
  • Lakeland College
  • Lambton College
  • Langara College
  • LaSalle College
  • Laurentian University
  • Lethbridge College
  • Loyalist College
  • MacEwan University
  • McGill University
  • McMaster University
  • Medicine Hat College
  • Memorial University
  • Mohawk College
  • Mount Allison University
  • Mount Royal University
  • Mount Saint Vincent University
  • New Brunswick Community College
  • Niagara College Canada
  • Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
  • Nipissing University
  • NorQuest College
  • Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
  • Northern College
  • Northern Lights College
  • North Island College
  • Northlands College
  • Northwest Community College
  • Nova Scotia College of Art and Design
  • Nova Scotia Community College
  • Nunavut Arctic College
  • OCAD University
  • Okanagan College
  • Olds College
  • Oulton College
  • Parkland College
  • Polytechnique Montréal
  • Portage College
  • Queen's University
  • Red Deer College
  • Red River College
  • Rocky Mountain College
  • Royal Roads University
  • Saint Mary's University
  • Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies
  • Saskatchewan Polytechnic
  • Selkirk College
  • Seneca College
  • Sheridan College
  • Simon Fraser University
  • Southeast College
  • Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
  • St. Clair College
  • St. Francis Xavier University
  • St. Lawrence College
  • St. Mary's University
  • St. Thomas University
  • The Michener Institute of Education at UHN
  • Thompson Rivers University
  • Toronto Metropolitan University
  • Trent University
  • Trinity Western University
  • Université de Moncton
  • Université de Montréal
  • Université de Saint-Boniface
  • Université de Sherbrooke
  • Université du Québec
  • Université du Québec à Montréal
  • Université Laval
  • Université Sainte-Anne
  • University College of the North
  • University of Alberta
  • University of British Columbia
  • University of Calgary
  • University of Guelph
  • University of King's College
  • University of Lethbridge
  • University of Manitoba
  • University of New Brunswick
  • University of Northern British Columbia
  • University of Ontario Institute of Technology
  • University of Ottawa
  • University of Prince Edward Island
  • University of Regina
  • University of Saskatchewan
  • University of the Fraser Valley
  • University of Toronto
  • University of Victoria
  • University of Waterloo
  • University of Windsor
  • University of Winnipeg
  • Vancouver Community College
  • Vancouver Island University
  • Visual College of Art and Design of Vancouver
  • Western University
  • Wilfrid Laurier University
  • York University

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