Recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers (2023) and Atlantic Canada's Top Employers (2023):
Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Nov 17, 2022)
Here are some of the reasons why University of New Brunswick / UNB was selected as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers (2023) and Atlantic Canada's Top Employers (2023):
- UNB has developed a formal remote work policy that includes hybrid work and fully remote work-from-home arrangements, use of shared and hotel office space for employees to reserve as needed, and ensures that employees have access to the technology and supplies required for remote work
- UNB employees are encouraged to continue their professional (and personal) development through a variety of in-house and online training initiatives, subsidies for professional accreditations, and full tuition subsidies for courses related and not directly related to their current position
- UNB helps employees plan securely for the future with contributions to a defined benefit pension plan and retirement planning assistance -- retirees can also stay connected through a dedicated Retired Employees Association, which assists members with health benefits and related concerns, and provides a collective voice to the university

Nursing faculty members at the UNB Saint John campus
(Photo credit:
Cameron Fitch)
Employer Background
Industry | Post secondary schools, university |
Established in Canada | 1785 |
Major Canadian hiring locations | Fredericton NB, Saint John NB |
Full-time employees in Canada | 1,816 |
Part-time employees in Canada | 377 |
Workforce engaged on a contract basis | 39% |
Average age of employees in Canada | 44 years |
Longest serving employee | 50 years |
Work Environment Rating: A+
Hybrid work | office equipment loan program, introduced a formal remote work policy that features options for hybrid and remote work arrangements |
Flexible work options | flexible work hours, shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay), telecommuting, reduced summer hours |
Commuter amenities | walk to public transit, free parking, subsidized parking, electric vehicle charging stations, secure/sheltered bicycle parking |
Onsite workplace features | the university's main Fredericton campus features historic buildings such as Sir Howard Douglas Hall (dating back to 1785), telecommuter workstations, sit-stand workstations, religious observance room, outdoor patio, outdoor barbecue, discounts at local restaurants |
Employee lounge amenities | comfortable seating, fireplace, music, television, numerous gathering areas around campus, healthy menus, special diet menus, subsidized meals, take-home meals |
Other food options at main location | smaller market-style cafeterias throughout campus, pubs, coffee shop, convenience store |
Onsite fitness facility | shared-use facility, subsidized membership, treadmills, stationary bikes, stairmasters, instructor-led classes (Zumba, yoga, pilates, spin, silver series and aqua exercise for older adults), elliptical trainers, rowing machines, weights, basketball court, shower facilities, indoor track, TRX facilities, dance studio, climbing wall, swimming pool, performance lab, semi-private programs, fitness assessments, personal trainers, ice arena, squash courts |
Work Atmosphere & Communications Rating: B
Past social events | adapted many of its traditional events into virtual events, including a campus-wide Christmas party, departmental Christmas parties, games nights, art shows at the UNB’s Art Centre, the annual president’s award ceremony and homecoming events |
Cultural aspects | business-casual dress daily, dress-for-your-day policy, casual dress Fridays, music while working, employee sports teams, organized social activities for retirees |
Employee communications | intranet site, company newsletter |
Other in-house communications | departmental newsletters |
Financial Benefits & Compensation Rating: A
Financial benefits note | UNB 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 | retirement planning assistance, phased-in retirement work options |
Signing bonuses | available for some positions |
Additional financial benefits | corporate discount program (e.g. retail, services, travel, etc.), discounted parking passes, gym memberships, numerous product and service discounts, from computer purchases to restaurants and groceries |
Health & Family-Friendly Benefits Rating: A
Health plan note | UNB has multiple employee groups, health plans may vary by position |
Health plan premium | as part of the health plan, the employer pays up to 50% of the premiums |
Minimum hours worked for coverage | 13 hours per week |
Waiting period for coverage | 180 days |
Family coverage option | yes |
Retiree coverage with no age limit | yes |
Dental coverage | routine, restorative |
Eyecare | $325 every 2 years |
Paid sick days | employees receive 3 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, medical equipment and supplies, massage therapy, nutrition planning, podiatrist, osteopathy, chiropractor, alternative coverage (e.g. acupuncture, naturopathy), virtual healthcare services |
Additional health plan information | no maximum for mental health practitioner benefit, retiree coverage available |
Additional health and wellness initiatives | campus-wide wellness committee, departmental wellness initiatives and ongoing healthy living challenges |
Family-friendly benefits note | UNB has multiple employee groups, family-friendly policies may vary by position |
Maternity top-up (mothers) | up to 95% of salary for 17 weeks |
Parental top-up (mothers) | up to 95% of salary for 15 weeks |
Parental top-up (fathers) | up to 95% of salary for 17 weeks |
Adoption top-up | up to 95% of salary for 17 weeks |
Additional family-friendly benefits | extended parental leave to unpaid leave, phased-in return to work for new parents, child care onsite |
Additional family-friendly information | maternity and parental leave top-up duration vary by employee group |
Vacation & Personal Time-Off Rating: B
Vacation note | UNB 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 8 years of employment |
Maximum vacation allowance | employees move to a maximum of 5 weeks of vacation over their career |
Paid holiday shutdown | during the Christmas to New Year's holiday break, employees receive an additional 2 days off |
Unpaid leave of absence option | yes |
Additional time-off information | faculty receive 4 weeks of starting vacation |
Employee Engagement & Performance Rating: A
Employee performance reviews | employees receive individual performance reviews every 12 months |
Managers receive performance review training | yes |
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 | peer-to-peer recognition awards, long-service awards, UNB Merit Awards, excellence in teaching awards, distinguished service awards, President's Medal (for service over the span of a career), excellence in research awards, University Teaching Scholar Award, University Research Scholar Award |
Training & Skills Development Rating: A+
In-house training initiatives | in-house training, online training, subsidies for professional accreditation |
Tuition subsidies (related to job) | yes |
Tuition subsidies (unrelated to job) | yes |
Education leave | educational leaves of absence are available |
Financial bonuses for course completions | yes |
Community Involvement Rating: B+
Scope of charitable involvement | local, national, international |
Employee charitable involvement | employees are involved in selection of charities |
Some of the community organizations supported | United Way, Canadian Blood Services, Promise Partnership (in-house initiative focused on poverty reduction in Saint John) |
Community highlight | UNB encourages employees to support the United Way through payroll deductions and encourages employees (and students) to suggest and organize their own initiatives. |