Recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers (2025) and Montreal's Top Employers (2025):
By Richard Yerema and Kristina Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Nov 14, 2024)
Here are some of the reasons why Université de Montréal was selected as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers (2025) and Montreal's Top Employers (2025):
- Université de Montréal starts its support personnel with four weeks of paid vacation and offers union and non-union employees a summer Fridays off program from mid-June to mid-August -- employees can work an additional hour each day to make every weekend a long weekend during the summer
- Université de Montréal brings employees together through major social gatherings such as the week long Fest’hiver (Winter Festival) that features concerts, conferences, photo exhibitions, ice sculpture contests, quizzes, First Nations artisanal workshops, free ice skating, events on the Place Publique, a Cine-Campus screening, and, of course, warm wine and beaver tails, cultural exchange kiosk, poetry reading, and much more
- Université de Montréal provides excellent family-friendly benefits, including maternity and parental leave top-up payments for employees who are new mothers, fathers or adoptive parents, the option to extend their leave into an unpaid leave of absence, and the convenience of on-site child care when they are ready to return to work
Université de Montréal invites employees and community members to the annual 'UdeM en fête', a festive holiday celebration
Employer Background
| Industry | Post secondary schools, university |
| Established in Canada | 1878 |
| Major Canadian locations | Rimouski QC, Brossard QC, Montréal QC, Laval QC, Saint-Hyacinthe QC, Trois-Rivières QC |
| Full-time employees in Canada | 5,907 |
| Part-time employees in Canada | 2,390 |
| Workforce engaged on a contract basis | 42% |
| Average age of employees in Canada | 41.39 years |
| Longest serving employee | 55.75 years |
Work Environment Rating: A+
| Flexible work options | hybrid work option, flexible work hours, 35-hour work week (with full pay), shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay), compressed work week, reduced summer hours, formal hybrid work programs vary by role and by the academic calendar year |
| Commuter amenities | walk to public transit, transit subsidies, online carpool sign-up, electric vehicle charging stations, secure/sheltered bicycle parking, nearby bike sharing station |
| Onsite workplace features | Montréal Convention Centre, outdoor markets within minutes from the main campus (offering fresh, local and affordable goods), telecommuter workstations, sit-stand workstations, religious observance room, self-serve lunchroom, outdoor patio, the university has 3 additional campuses in Laval, Longueuil and Trois-Rivières |
| Employee lounge amenities | comfortable seating, multiple lounge areas across campus which featuring a range of styles and features, including comfortable seating, televisions, outdoor terrace and multiple gardens across campus |
| Onsite cafeteria | healthy menus, special diet menus, take-home meals |
| Other food options at main location | multiple food counters, cafés and restaurant options |
| Onsite fitness facility | shared-use facility, subsidized membership, treadmills, stationary bikes, stairmasters, instructor-led classes (pilates, yoga, Zumba, cardio), elliptical trainers, rowing machines, weights, basketball court, sauna, shower facilities, Olympic-size swimming pool, spa and sauna, badminton, squash, racquetball and tennis courts, indoor track, practice area for golf, climbing wall, arena, multiple gymnasiums |
Work Atmosphere & Communications Rating: B
| Past social events | week long Fest’hiver (Winter Festival) with concerts, conferences, photo exhibitions, ice sculpture contests, quizzes, First Nation artisanal workshops, free ice skating, events on the Place Publique, a Cine-Campus screening, and, of course, warm wine and beaver tails, cultural exchange kiosk, poetry reading, and much more, UdeM en Fête (traditional holiday cocktail reception), UdeM Sugar Shack (transform its Place Publique into a real sugar shack with traditional music, dancing and maple taffy) |
| Cultural aspects | business-casual dress daily, music while working, employee sports teams, organized social activities for retirees |
| Employee communications | company newsletter, traditional/email suggestion box |
| Other in-house communications | faculty newsletters, numerous blogs, conferences, online lunches or coffee break meet-ups |
Financial Benefits & Compensation Rating: A
| 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 |
| Additional financial benefits | year-end bonuses for some employees, corporate discount program (e.g. retail, services, travel, etc.), faculty members (sabbatical leave, allowance for professional expenses) |
Health & Family-Friendly Benefits Rating: A+
| Health plan note | UdeM has multiple employee groups, health plans may vary by position |
| Health plan premium | as part of the health plan, the employer pays up to 40% of the premiums |
| Waiting period | there is no waiting period for coverage |
| Family coverage option | yes |
| Dental coverage | routine, restorative |
| Eyecare | $50 every 2 years |
| Health plan includes | traditional coverage (e.g. prescription drugs), semi-private hospital room, medical travel insurance, homecare, medical equipment and supplies, nutrition planning, podiatrist, osteopathy, chiropractor, alternative coverage (e.g. acupuncture, naturopathy) |
| Mental health practitioner benefit | up to $1,300 each year |
| Additional health and wellness initiatives | formal health and wellness program includes training, activities, conferences, health challenges and an increased focus on mental health, dedicated wellness committees in some faculties and departments, Right to Disconnect (initiative to remind employees to disconnect outside of working hours) |
| Family-friendly benefits note | UdeM has multiple employee groups, family-friendly policies may vary by position |
| Maternity top-up (mothers) | up to 90% of salary for 25 weeks |
| Parental top-up (mothers) | up to 90% of salary for 10 weeks |
| Parental top-up (fathers) | up to 90% of salary for 15 weeks |
| Adoption top-up | up to 90% of salary for 25 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 | summer day camps programs for children (including employees' kids), from sport to music, science to theatre camps and more, 2 dedicated days off for family appointments and personal reasons |
Vacation & Personal Time-Off Rating: A+
| Vacation note | UdeM 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 |
| 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 5 days off |
| Personal paid days off | employees can schedule 2 personal days off each year, as needed |
| Company paid days off | employees receive 2 personal days off, as determined by their employer |
| Unpaid leave maximum | 24 months |
| Self-funded/deferred salary leave maximum | 60 months |
| Additional time-off information | summer hours program includes a 32-hour workweek and Fridays off (from mid-June to mid-August) |
Employee Engagement & Performance Rating: B
| 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 | online recognition platform, on-the-spot rewards, peer-to-peer recognition awards, long-service awards, tailored and unique rewards (e.g. travel), dedicated awards to recognize excellence in teaching, research work, leadership, innovation, commitment, collaboration, diversity, and promotion of the French language |
| 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, leadership development programs, paid internships |
| Tuition subsidies (related to job) | yes |
| Tuition subsidies (unrelated to job) | yes |
| Unique training & development programs | staff tuition waiver policy, dedicated "StudiUM" online learning portal for management teams |
Community Involvement Rating: B+
| Scope of charitable involvement | local, national, international |
| Total number of charities supported last year | approximately 20 charitable and community organizations were supported last year |
| Some of the community organizations supported | United Way, Hema Québec, Canadian Red Cross, Québec Breakfast Club, IRICʼs Great Challenges Against Cancer, La lecture en cadeau |
| Community highlight | Université de Montréal and its employees have a longstanding campaign to raise funds for the annual United Way/Centraide campaign and the Christmas Basket program -- faculties and departments across the university organize their own initiatives that are most important to their employees -- many faculties support initiatives that are related to their specific academic subject matters |
Recognized as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers (2025):
By Kristina Leung, Chantel Watkins, and Cypress Weston, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Feb 24, 2025)
Here are some of the reasons why Université de Montréal was selected as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers (2025):
- Université de Montréal offers a preferred first name procedure request, enabling students and employees across the campus to use an alternate preferred first name instead of their legal one while studying or working at the university (including on the student and employee card, corporate email address, administrative systems and websites, the telephone directory, and internal documents where possible)
- Université de Montréal appointed its first special advisor of equity, diversity and inclusion to the rector, who helped coordinate the development of three-year action plans entitled "Pour l'équité et l'inclusion" (for equity and inclusion) and "Place aux Premiers Peuples" (welcoming Indigenous Peoples) and addresses issues such as the recruitment and progression of staff belonging to minority or at-risk groups -- the university also recently introduced financial support for faculties hiring Indigenous professors
- Université de Montréal offers training and education on a number of equity, diversity and inclusion topics, including minimizing unconscious bias and inclusive leadership, psychological health in the workplace, and racism and systemic discrimination
Université de Montréal employees host the congress for l'Association canadienne-française pour l'avancement des sciences (ACFAS)
(Photo credit:
Hombeline Dumas)
Highlights
| Industry | Post secondary schools, university |
| Major Canadian locations | Rimouski QC, Brossard QC, Montréal QC, Laval QC, Saint-Hyacinthe QC, Trois-Rivières QC |
| Full-time employees in Canada | 5,907 |
| Management of diversity and inclusion initiatives | special advisor of equity, diversity and inclusion (mandate is to coordinate diversity efforts and develop action plans to guide future efforts), two 3-year action plans entitled "Pour l'équité et l'inclusion" (for equity and inclusion) and "Place aux Premiers Peuples" (welcoming Indigenous Peoples), action plans address issues such as the recruitment and progression of staff belonging to minority or at-risk groups, associate secretary general for equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenous relations role support action plans, chief advisor of equity, diversity and inclusion |
| Performance management and accountability | self-identification survey, representation targets for women, visible minorities, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities and Aboriginal communities (has met targets for women, and people living with a disability) |
| Employee resource groups | Kwe Kwe committee (for Indigenous employees), Aboriginal committee (comprised of technical and administrative support employee unions), Comité Femmes et Droit (women and the law committee), Groupe d’action Trans (advocates for trans rights on campus), Caucus des employées et des employés noirs, Handicap, Accompagnements, Regroupement, Recherche et Projets (promotes universal accessibility) |
| Noteworthy diversity strategies and policies | preferred first name procedure for employees and students |
| Recruitment initiatives | self-identification questions included in the application process, formal process to facilitate accommodation, partnerships with local organizations that work in employability for people with disabilities, immigrants, and Indigenous Peoples (approximately 30 partnerships in total), provides unconscious bias training to managers involved in the recruitment process, ensures an equity, diversity and inclusion requirement is included in all management-level job offers, provides financial support to faculties hiring Indigenous professors |
| Training and awareness initiatives | training on inclusive leadership and minimizing unconscious bias, psychological health in the workplace, trans diversity, and racism and systemic discrimination, guide to inclusive behaviour, guide for inclusive writing for the French-speaking community |
| Diversity highlights | Indigenous Cultural Week (est. 2015, 5-day event highlights the heritage, cultures, and knowledge of Aboriginal communities, in addition to initiating discussion on issues related to Aboriginal Peoples), celebrations for Pride |
| Highlights from the past year | Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Intersectional Justice, Decolonization and Equity (CRI-JaDE), Racism Prevention Week |
The Career Directory
Université de Montréal has been selected for The Career Directory, our guide to entry-level recruitment for recent college and university graduates.
Université de Montréal employees
Highlights for New Grads
| Industry | Post secondary schools, university |
| Full-time employees in Canada | 5,001 to 10,000 |
| Major Canadian locations | Rimouski QC, Brossard QC, Montréal QC, Laval QC, Saint-Hyacinthe QC, Trois-Rivières QC |
| Student opportunities | paid internships, summer jobs |
| Training | orientation program, online training, in-house training, mentoring |
| Tuition subsidies (related to job) | yes |
| Work benefits | health benefits for new employees, flexible work hours, transit subsidies |
| Vacation allowance | new employees receive 4 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
-
Bachelor of Commerce / Business Administration
- Accounting
- Finance
- Hotel / Food Services
- Human Resources
- Information Systems
- Marketing
- Public Administration
-
Bachelor of Education
- Adult
- Counselling
- Early Childhood
- Intermediate Senior (7-12)
- Junior Intermediate (4-10)
- Junior Primary (0-6)
- Physical & Health
- Special Needs
-
Bachelor of Engineering
- Aerospace
- Agriculture
- Architectural / Building / Construction
- Automation / Robotics
- Biomedical Electronics
- Biotechnology
- Chemical
- Civil
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical
- Engineering Physics
- Environmental
- Food Processing
- Forestry
- Geological
- Industrial Chemistry
- Industrial Design
- Industrial Engineering
- Instrumentation
- Marine
- Materials Science
- Mechanical
- Metallurgy
- Microelectronics
- Mining
- Nuclear
- Petroleum / Fuels
- Pollution Treatment
- Power / Hydro
- Production / Manufacturing
- Pulp & Paper
- Surveying / Geomatics
- Telecommunications
- Transportation
- Water Resources
- Welding
-
Bachelor of Laws
- Copyright / Patent
- Corporate
- Environmental
- Labour
- Real Estate
-
Bachelor of Science
- Actuarial / Statistics
- Agriculture / Horticulture
- Animal Sciences / Medicine
- Anthropology
- Astronomy
- Audiology
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Dentistry
- Ecology
- Environmental
- Epidemiology
- Forestry
- Geography
- Geology
- Gerontology
- Health Sciences
- Immunology
- Information Studies / Library Science
- Kinesiology
- Materials Science
- Mathematics
- Metallurgy
- Meteorology / Climatology
- Microbiology
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Occupational Therapy
- Oceanography
- Optometry / Ophthalmology
- Pharmacy
- Physical Therapy
- Physics
- Psychology
- Speech Pathology
- Textiles
- Zoology
-
Community College Diploma
- Accounting
- Advertising
- Agriculture / Horticulture
- Aircraft Maintenance
- Ambulance / Emergency Medical Care
- Animal Health
- Animation / Computer Animation
- Architecture Technician
- Audio/Video Technician
- Autocad
- Automotive Mechanic
- Business
- Carpentry
- Child Care / Education
- Communications / Public Relations
- Computer Science
- Cooking / Chef Training
- Dental Assistant
- Dental Hygienist
- Dietitian / Nutrition
- Drama / Performing Arts
- Electronics Technician
- Engineering Technician
- Facility Management
- Fashion Arts / Design
- Financial Planning
- Forestry
- Funeral Services
- Graphic Arts / Design
- Health Care Aide (HCA)
- Health Sciences (Other)
- Heavy Equipment
- Hospitality
- Human Resources
- HVAC Systems
- Information Technology
- Insurance
- Journalism
- Laboratory Technician
- Legal Assistant / Law Clerk
- Marine Engineering
- Marketing / Sales
- Music
- Nuclear Medicine
- Nursing (RN)
- Nursing (RNA / RPN)
- Office Administration
- Orthotics / Prosthetics
- Other Trades
- Pharmacy Technician
- Photography
- Plumbing
- Pulp & Paper
- Purchasing / Logistics
- Radiation Therapy
- Radiology
- Real Estate Sales
- Recreation Studies
- Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy
- Respiratory Therapy
- Secretarial
- Security / Enforcement
- Social Worker / DSW
- Surveying / Geomatics
- Tool & Die / Machinist / Millwright
- Travel and Tourism
- TV/Radio Arts / Broadcast
- Ultrasound Technician
- Upholstery
- Urban Planning
- Welding
-
Doctorate (Arts)
- Economics
- English
- French
- Geography
- History
- Languages (Other)
- Music
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Urban Geography / Planning
-
Doctorate (Education)
- Administration
- Teaching
-
Doctorate (Eng.)
- Aerospace
- Biotechnology
- Chemical
- Civil
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical
- Engineering Physics
- Environmental
- Geological
- Industrial Engineering
- Materials Science
- Mechanical
- Production / Manufacturing
- Telecommunications
-
Doctorate (Science)
- Actuarial / Statistics
- Animal Sciences / Veterinary Medicine
- Audiology
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Environmental
- Epidemiology
- Geology
- Gerontology
- Health Sciences
- Immunology
- Materials Science
- Mathematics
- Medical Doctor
- Metallurgy
- Meteorology / Climatology
- Microbiology
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Occupational Therapy / Kinesiology
- Pharmacy
- Physical Therapy
- Physics
- Psychology
- Speech Pathology
-
Master of Architecture
- Architecture
- Architecture - Landscape
-
Master of Arts
- Archeology
- 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
- Recreation Studies
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Urban Geography / Planning
-
Master of Business Administration
- Accounting
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Information Systems
- Marketing
- Public Administration
-
Master of Education
- Administration
- Counselling
- Teaching
-
Master of Engineering
- Aerospace
- Agriculture
- Architectural / Building / Construction
- Automation / Robotics
- Biomedical Electronics
- Biotechnology
- Chemical
- Civil
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical
- Engineering Physics
- Environmental
- Food Processing
- Forestry
- Geological
- Industrial Chemistry
- Industrial Design
- Industrial Engineering
- Instrumentation
- Marine
- Materials Science
- Mechanical
- Metallurgy
- Microelectronics
- Mining
- Nuclear
- Petroleum / Fuels
- Pollution Treatment
- Power / Hydro
- Production / Manufacturing
- Pulp & Paper
- Surveying / Geomatics
- Telecommunications
- Transportation
- Water Resources
- Welding
-
Master of Science
- Actuarial / Statistics
- Agriculture / Horticulture
- Animal Sciences / Medicine
- Anthropology
- Astronomy
- Audiology
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Dentistry
- Ecology
- Environmental
- Epidemiology
- Forestry
- Genetics
- Geography
- Geology
- Gerontology
- Health Sciences
- Immunology
- Information Studies / Library Science
- Kinesiology
- Materials Science
- Mathematics
- Metallurgy
- Meteorology / Climatology
- Microbiology
- Nursing / Health Administration
- Nutrition
- Occupational Therapy
- Oceanography
- Pharmacy
- Physical Therapy
- Physics
- Psychology
- Speech Pathology
- Zoology
-
Professional Accreditation
- Accounting (CA)
- Accounting (CGA)
- Accounting (CMA)
- Certified Nutrition Manager (CSNM)
- Cisco Certifications
- Financial Planning (CFP, FMA)
- Financial Securities (CSC)
- Human Resources (CHRP, CEBS)
- Insurance (RIBO, OTL, CIP)
- Interior Design (NCIDQ)
- Investment Planning (CFA, CIM)
- Land Surveyor
- Logistics (CITT, CIFFA)
- Microsoft Certifications
- Novell Certifications
- Other Business / Technical/ Industry Certifications
- Professional Engineer
- Purchasing Management (PMAC, CPP)
- Quality Assurance (TQM)
- Real Estate (RPA, CPM)
- Travel Counsellor (CTC)
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Secondary Education
- High School Diploma