Top Employer: University of New Brunswick / UNB

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.

University of New Brunswick / UNB

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