Why CSIS is a Top 100 employer

Whenever lists of top employers are released each year, I feel a little like a kid staring into a toy store window during the holiday season. There are so many great companies with terrific perks, and I want a job that will give me all of them.

The 2012 list of Canada’s Top 100 Employers is one of my favourites because all the winners are posted online, and clicking on the name of each company leads to a detailed description of the working conditions and benefits that contributed to the organization’s top rating.

Whether it’s a chance to book a demo motorcycle for the weekend at Deeley Harley-Davidson or a generous adoption subsidy of up to $5,000 at Ceridian Canada Ltd., these winning employers definitely go the extra mile.

Here are a few examples of other engaging programs that may be on your wish list:

AMEC Americas Limited provides great financial benefits including signing bonuses for some employees, referral bonuses for some positions (to $5,000), and a share purchase plan available to all employees.

Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) offers employees family-friendly benefits including: maternity top-up payments (to 93 per cent of salary for 52 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers and adoptive parents (to 93 per cent of salary for 37 weeks) and an extended unpaid parental leave option (beyond the first year).

Kraft Foods Canada’s workforce enjoys a variety of onsite amenities such as a fitness facility with free membership, employee lounge with foosball and television, quiet room for meditation and reflection, and a nap room for people who need a quick break during the day.
 
Nuance Communications Canada Inc. starts new hires at four weeks of paid vacation and encourages ongoing employee development through tuition subsidies (up to $3,000) for courses taken at outside institutions, plus a variety of online in-house training programs.

Shell Canada Limited
has a share purchase plan, generous year-end bonuses, employee referral bonuses (up to $4,000), discounted financial services through the Shell Credit Union, and employees even get a five per cent discount on gasoline purchases at the pump.

WestJet Airlines Ltd.gives discounted airfare anywhere the airline flies, including standby travel discounts, 50 per cent discounts on booked flights and even discounted passes for friends and family.

Whether you are unemployed and looking for a job or employed and looking for a better job, check out this year’s top 100 employers. If one or more of them sounds like a place you would like to work, go to their websites to find out if they are hiring and skills they are looking for.

It can’t hurt, and who knows? If you get lucky, on December 25th there may be a great new job with all the bells and whistles under your tree.

Also read: Top Gen Y employers offer tuition, flex time and How to find a great employer .