Top Employer: Simon Fraser University

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

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

Here are some of the reasons why Simon Fraser University was selected as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers (2023), Canada's Top Family-Friendly Employers (2023) and BC's Top Employers (2023):

Simon Fraser University starts new employees with four weeks of paid vacation, as well as receiving additional paid days during the Christmas to New Year's holidays
Simon Fraser University provides generous maternity and parental leave top-up payments for employees who are new mothers, fathers or adoptive parents (to 100 per cent of salary for 35 weeks) -- and employees can apply to extend their leave into an unpaid leave of absence
Simon Fraser University encourages its employees to continue their education through full tuition subsidies for courses related and not directly related to their current positions as well as through a variety of in-house and online training programs

Students, faculty and staff at Simon Fraser University are welcomed back to campus each fall at the annual 'Week of Welcome' event (Photo credit: Eugene Doudko)

Employer Background

Industry	Post secondary schools, university
Established in Canada	1965
Major Canadian hiring locations	Burnaby BC, Vancouver BC, Surrey BC
Full-time employees in Canada	3,432
Part-time employees in Canada	4,690
Workforce engaged on a contract basis	0.96%
Average age of employees in Canada	38 years
Longest serving employee	49 years

Work Environment Rating: A+

Hybrid work	formal hybrid work program is designed to ensure employees spend time onsite (typically half of their work time, or more) and employees are encouraged to work with their managers (and teams) to find the best balance
Flexible work options	flexible work hours, telecommuting, earned days off program
Commuter amenities	walk to public transit, transit subsidies, online carpool sign-up, electric vehicle charging stations, secure/sheltered bicycle parking
Onsite workplace features	telecommuter workstations, sit-stand workstations, religious observance room, self-serve lunchroom, outdoor patio, discounts at local restaurants, student union building features lounges, a community kitchen, online gaming lounge and live performance stage, and a private wellness room
Employee lounge amenities	music, television, board games, internet access and charging stations
Onsite cafeteria	healthy menus, special diet menus
Other food options at main location	several cafeterias, food courts, restaurants and food vendors across campus, newly opened pub and restaurant, fully operational dining room and conference centre
Onsite fitness facility	shared-use facility, free membership, treadmills, stationary bikes, stairmasters, instructor-led classes (dance, martial arts, yoga), elliptical trainers, rowing machines, weights, basketball court, shower facilities, swimming pool, racquet ball courts, indoor soccer court, badminton courts, climbing wall, women-only hours, free fitness consultations

Work Atmosphere & Communications Rating: B

Past social events	staff achievement award dinner, appreciation breakfast
Cultural aspects	business-casual dress daily, casual dress (e.g. jeans) daily, music while working, can bring pets to work when needed, employee sports teams, organized social activities for retirees
Employee communications	intranet site, company newsletter, traditional/email suggestion box

Financial Benefits & Compensation Rating: A

Financial benefits note	Simon Fraser University has multiple employee groups, financial benefits may vary by position
Outside salary surveys	participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months
Employee salary reviews	individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months
Long-term savings	defined-benefit (DB) pension
Long-term planning	phased-in retirement work options, life & disability insurance
Additional financial benefits	discounted home insurance

Health & Family-Friendly Benefits Rating: A+

Health plan note	Simon Fraser University has multiple employee groups, health plans may vary by position
Health plan premium	as part of the health plan, the employer pays up to 100% of the premiums
Minimum hours worked for coverage	14 hours per week
Waiting period for coverage	30 days
Family coverage option	yes
Retiree coverage with no age limit	yes
Dental coverage	routine, restorative, orthodontics
Eyecare	$500 every 2 years
Paid sick days	employees receive 5 days off each year
Health plan includes	traditional coverage (e.g. prescription drugs), employee assistance (EAP) plan, semi-private hospital room, physiotherapy, medical travel insurance, homecare, medical equipment and supplies, massage therapy, podiatrist, chiropractor, alternative coverage (e.g. acupuncture, naturopathy)
Mental health practitioner benefit	up to $1,000 each year
Additional health plan information	the university has separate health plans for its faculty, administrative staff and professionals, and unionized employees
Family-friendly benefits note	Simon Fraser University has multiple employee groups, family-friendly policies may vary by position
Maternity top-up (mothers)	up to 100% of salary for 15 weeks
Parental top-up (mothers)	up to 100% of salary for 20 weeks
Parental top-up (fathers)	up to 100% of salary for 35 weeks
Adoption top-up	up to 100% of salary for 35 weeks
Additional family-friendly benefits	extended parental leave to unpaid leave
Additional family-friendly information	faculty employees receive top-up of up to 95% of salary for 35 weeks (for mothers, fathers, and adoptive parents)

Vacation & Personal Time-Off Rating: A+

Vacation note	Simon Fraser University has multiple employee groups, vacation policies may vary by position
Vacation allowance	new employees receive 4 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job
Vacation jump	vacation increases after 8 years of employment
Maximum vacation allowance	employees move to a maximum of 6 weeks of vacation over their career
Paid holiday shutdown	during the Christmas to New Year's holiday break, employees receive an additional 3 days off
Unpaid leave maximum	12 months

Employee Engagement & Performance Rating: B

Employee performance reviews	employees receive individual performance reviews every 6 months
Exit interview	exit interview option is available for departing employees
Performance recognition	long-service awards, staff achievement awards
In-house survey period	in-house surveys are conducted every 24 months

Training & Skills Development Rating: A+

In-house training initiatives	in-house training, online training, subsidies for professional accreditation, 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

Community Involvement Rating: B

Scope of charitable involvement	local
Employee charitable involvement	employees receive paid time off to volunteer
Total number of charities supported last year	approximately 2 charitable and community organizations were supported last year
Some of the community organizations supported	United Way, Terry Fox Foundation (organizes the annual Terry Fox Run)
Community highlight	SFU supports the annual United Way campaign to raise funds for local agencies and programs that provide support to children and seniors living in poverty, as well as programs to help prevent bullying among children.

Simon Fraser University

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