A handful of Surrey organizations have been named B.C.'s best places to work, according an annual report measuring the country's top 100 employers.
B.C.'s Top Employers 2012 has named Coast Mountain Bus Company, Financial CAD Corp., Fraser Health Authority, Kwantlen Polytechnic University and the City of Surrey as some of the best places to work in this province.
Coast Mountain, which has a head office in Surrey, was named because of on-site amenities including a fully equipped fitness facility, employee lounge with video games, foosball and a pool table, nap room and cafeteria. New employees start with three weeks paid vacation and 17 personal days off per year, as well as a host of other benefits.
Financial CAD Corp., a software firm, offers transit subsidies, bicycle lock-up, maternity and parental top-ups, as well as subsidy for tuition for job related courses. New employees get four weeks off per year.
That's the same amount of paid vacation offered new employees at Fraser Health Authority, which also offers maternity and paternity top-ups and subsidies for tuition.
Kwantlen offers paid time off to volunteer with local charitable organizations, as well as mat/pat top-ups, which was part of the reason it was also named a best employer. Course and tuition subsides for some classes is also covered.
The City of Surrey, was also named in part because of subsidies for courses, mat/pat top-ups, shortened and compressed work weeks optional and matching RSP contributions.
Now entering its eighth year, BC's Top Employers is an annual competition organized by the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers. This special designation recognizes the British Columbia employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work.
Employers are evaluated by the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers using the same eight criteria as the national competition: (1) Physical Workplace; (2) Work Atmosphere & Social; (3) Health, Financial & Family Benefits; (4) Vacation & Time Off; (5) Employee Communications; (6) Performance Management; (7) Training & Skills Development; and (8) Community Involvement. Employers are compared to other organizations in their field to determine which offers the most progressive and forward-thinking programs.