50 Maiores Empregadores em Toronto

Segue uma lista feita pelo The Star, jornal de Toronto, com os 50 maiores empregadores da GTA (apesar de que na lista constam apenas 47).

Employer snapshots: 2008

Oct 13, 2007 04:30 AM
Following are short profiles of 47 of the GTA's Top 50 employers, in alphabetical order, according to the Toronto publisher Mediacorp.

Algorithmics
Located in a renovated warehouse in downtown Toronto, Algorithmics features an on-site fitness centre for employees. Other perks include a one-month paid sabbatical after five years with the company and tuition subsidies of up to $2,000 a year. The company also has three paid study days employees can take off every year. Algorithmics also helps new Canadians, through ESL classes and internship programs (www.algorithmics.com).

AMAPCEO
The Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario is the group that bargains on behalf of the public sector. Parental leave top-up benefits are a top focus for the organization, which gives new moms and dads up to 93 per cent for 52 weeks. Employees also get $600 every year for fitness and wellness activities. Newcomers get four weeks vacation to start. AMAPCEO also matches RSP contributions to help staff get ready for retirement. There is also a leave program allowing employees to temporarily leave to pursue professional and personal interests (www.amapceo.on.ca).

Appleby College
Located on the edge of Lake Ontario, Appleby College is a co-ed school for students from grade seven to twelve. The Oakville institution, which was first started in the 1910s, offers new employees a laptop when they get started. For those interested in taking courses at outside institutions, Appleby also pays tuition fees with no annual maximum. New mothers can also access a return-to-work program to help them transition back to office life. Employees also get free membership to on-site sports facilities. For those coming from overseas, Appleby subsidizes the costs of equivalency programs. In addition to matching RSP contributions, the college also makes extra contributions to pension plans (www.appleby.on.ca).

Bank of Montreal
Canada's oldest banking institution offers a variety of perks and benefits for employees, including their very own training institute with a health club and accommodation for overnight guests. For employees who are outstanding at their jobs, the bank offers travel awards, gift certificates and merchandise. Employees are eligible to receive up to $1,500 every two years for volunteer-related activities. The company also gives year-end bonuses and offers a share purchase plan (www4.bmo.com).

Bayer Inc.
With its headquarters in Toronto, Bayer Inc. is a global research-based company specializing in life sciences, polymers and chemicals. Employees get free memberships to on-site fitness facilities. They can also take advantage of a new employee lounge, featuring a games area and a relaxation room. As for vacation, new employees annually get three weeks and two personal days off. Staff also get discounts on computer equipment and auto leases. Bayer also matches RSP contributions. Customized health benefit plans are also available for employees (www.bayer.ca).

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
With more than 500 lawyers across the world, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP is no stranger to the top employers list. After all, the law firm has had a lot of time to become one of the best, with 150 years of history behind it. The firm holds a national training awareness week for staff in January and oversees a country-wide scholarship program for first-year law students. It also helps low-income clients and non-profit organizations by providing pro bono legal services. Their Christmas parties feature musicals and short films directed by employees (www.blakes.com).
Capital One Services, Inc.
A Fortune 500 company, Capital One Services, Inc. is best known for being the predominant issuers of MasterCards. They are also well known for how they treat their employees, including offering generous parental top-up payments that go up to 100 per cent for 26 weeks. Employees who adopt also get $5,000 to help cover related expenses. As for retirement planning, Capital One Services matches RSP contributions. They also help those who are interested in further education with unlimited tuition subsidies. If staff members also successfully refer someone who gets hired, they are rewarded with a $5,000 bonus. Employees also get free fruit, vegetables and nuts at the office every day and they are given a transit subsidy as an encouragement to take public transit (www.capitalone.ca).

Catholic Children's Aid Society
For nearly a hundred years, the Catholic Children's Aid Society of Toronto has been looking after the interests of children and families. At the society, staff can take advantage of tuition subsidies, in-house training programs and a special education leave. They also are eligible for generous top-up payments. Unlike many other companies, maternity leave can also be extended up to 3 years (www.ccas.toronto.on.ca).

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
As the self-regulating body of the province's medical community, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario helps employees with everything from tuition subsidies to parental leave top-up payments. New moms and dads can get up to 75 per cent in top-up payments for 26 weeks. Tuition subsides can run up to $3,000. Holiday benefits are also generous, starting off at three weeks for new employees. Christmas season also comes with some time off. The college also prides itself on being an enlightened employee with more than 65 per cent of management being women (www.cpso.on.ca).

Compass Group Canada
Founded 10 years ago, Compass Group Canada is a food services and facilities management company. New mothers and fathers get up to 80 per cent for 17 weeks in top-up payments. This company also offers this to adoptive parents. As for benefits, employers get discounts on auto lease and home insurance rates as well as computer purchases. The company also helps those planning for retirement, matching their RSP contributions. For staff that want to pursue a MBA, there is a formal program that allows them to leave for a year (www.compass-canada.com).

Deloitte & Touche LLP
As one of the top professional services firms in Canada, Deloitte & Touche LLP is known for its accounting and auditing, tax, and management consulting services. It is also known for its international experience programs that let employees work around the world at other Deloitte locations. The company also takes care of new mothers, providing them with top-up payments up to 100 per cent of their salary for 17 weeks. Work-life-balance is also an important theme at Deloitte, with employees getting a $1,000 subsidy. Other perks include weekend trips, movie tickets and house cleaning services for outstanding job performance. If an employee successfully refers a friend to work at Deloitte, they are eligible for up to $12,000 in bonuses (www.deloitte.com).

Durham Regional Police Service
New moms receive generous top-up payments, up to 75 per cent for 52 weeks. New dads receive up to 75 per cent for 35 weeks. An on-site gym is free. Officers earn eight hours off after every month of work (www.drps.ca).

Ernst & Young LLP
From tax, to corporate finance, to auditing, Ernst & Young LLP has made a name for itself as a professional services leader over the years. The company has also taken an active role in helping employees' families, from providing adoption assistance bonuses to helping arrange for emergency daycare providers. The company also operates with an international conscience, recently helping an employee volunteer in Guyana. It not only helped provide the individual with a five-week leave but also provided financial assistance on the trip. The company also provides $1,000 to subsidize gym memberships or buy home workout equipment (www.ey.com).

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Nearly two decades ago the Toronto-based hotel operator set the worldwide standard for environmental hotel practices and drew up a Green Partnership Guide, now required reading for hotel management courses around the world. Whether it's providing discounted hotel rates for employees around the world or offering in-house training for staff, Fairmont also has developed a reputation for taking care of its employees. Employee perks include a pension plan and maternity leave top-ups that can run up to 70 per cent of wages for 17 weeks. The company also has an online site where employees can check out job opportunities at Fairmont properties throughout the world (www.fairmont.com).

Fidelity Canada
Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, Fidelity Investments Canada Ltd. oversees about $43 billion in mutual fund and corporate pension plan assets. It also offers employees everything from tuition subsidies to matching RSP contributions. New moms can also get up to 100 per cent in top-up payments for 17 weeks. Fitness buffs can get annual subsidies to ensure they stay in shape. During the winter, staff can go skating at Nathan Phillips Square, which is only a few seconds away (www.fidelity.ca).

Gay Lea
Owned by more than 1,200 Ontario farmers, Gay Lea Foods Co-Operative manufactures everything from milk to butter to whipped cream. The organization also works to be a corporate citizen, helping co-operatives in El Salvador financially and by sending staff to the country. Closer to home, the co-operative provides tuition subsidies, matching RSP contributions and coverage for retired employees. It also offers $2,500 in adoption subsidies and top-up payments for new mothers at 100 per cent of their salary for 17 weeks (www.gaylea.com).

Hatch Ltd.
With offices all around the world, Hatch Ltd. provides customers with a variety of services including process and detail engineering, construction management and business consulting. For its employees, the company provides subsidized memberships to an on-site gym, a flexible health benefit plan and matching RSP contributions. Other perks include maternity top-ups for new mothers and scholarships for employees' children. If an employee recommends a successful recruit, they get a $4,000 referral bonus (www.hatch.ca).

Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co.
When it comes to employee perks, Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co. has a few tricks up its sleeve. One includes a lakeside resort north of Kingston for employees and their families to enjoy. The other is a discount on everything from laptops to televisions. To boot, the company is also a green leader, helping recycle more than 340 million kilograms of used computer and ink cartridges in the past 10 years. The company's other perks include parental leave top-up payments up to 100 per cent for 17 weeks. HP also matches RSP contributions (www.hp.ca).

Hill & Knowlton Canada
Don't be surprised to find a beer cart travelling through these offices at week's end. This is one of the many perks at one of Canada's leading public relations agencies. Another includes two educational grants, at $7,500, for staff that want to keep studying. In terms of vacation, employees get three weeks off to start and four paid personal days. Staff are also encouraged to give back to the community by volunteering media expertise to non-profit groups. (www.hillandknowlton.ca).

IBM Canada
Headquartered in Markham, IBM Canada has been operating in Canada since 1917.
The computer giant offers a daycare facility for young children and free access to an on-site gym. There are a variety of classes held at the latter. IBM also provides 95 per cent in maternity leave top-up payments. For those interested in further education, there's in-house training and educational grants for study at an external institution. The more socially aware can also take advantage of paid time off to volunteer in Canada or around the world (www.ibm.com/ca).

I Love Rewards Inc.
When it comes to interacting with the CEO, there might be no better place to do it than at I Love Rewards Inc. The company, which offers web-based services, has a CEO book club where staff not only get a free book but they also get to chat to the CEO about it. Vacation time is also a bit generous at I Love Rewards, as new employees start off with four weeks of paid vacation. And unlike other organizations, where it might take a while to go up to 5 weeks, it only takes 3 years at I Love Rewards. In the spirit of helping out in the community, staff get five days to help out with a charity. Share purchase and profit-sharing plans are available to all (www.iloverewards.com).

KPMG LLP
From subsidizing the cost of elder care to helping support child care, it's no surprise KPMG LLP is one of the GTA's top employers. The accounting and professional services firm also offers a $700 fitness subsidy and a flexible health benefits plan for retirees. In addition to getting three weeks vacation, employees also get seven paid personal days off. For staff who have adopted children, KPMG provides benefits and financial grants. Volunteerism is looked on favourably at KPMG where a special reception is held to recognize staff efforts. Employees also get time off for volunteer work (www.kpmg.ca).

Law Society of Upper Canada
The list of benefits at the Law Society of Upper Canada is generous to say the least. If employees find that their loved ones have fallen sick, they will receive up to 70 per cent in leave top-up payments for eight weeks. This unusual benefit goes along with other familiar ones, including tuition subsidies, a traditional pension plan and a flexible health benefits plan. The governing body for law professionals in Ontario also offers new dads and moms up to 93 per cent of their salary for 17 weeks. This also applies to adoptive parents. In the spirit of charity, the society also uses its cafeteria to provide meals to Toronto's homeless (www.lsuc.on.ca)

Manulife Financial Corp.
The financial services organization pays its employees out of its pocket if they decide to volunteer for the United Way for a 15-week term. The corporation also offers several other perks, including a pension plan, extended health coverage during retirement, and subsidized home and auto insurance rates. The organization also prides itself on being an employment equity leader as women employees hold almost half the management jobs (www.manulife.ca)

Mars Canada Inc.
Located in Caledon, Mars Canada Inc. manufacturers everything from pet-care products to candy bars. But just because it's a sugar-rich place doesn't mean it is not healthy. A wellness coordinator visits the offices weekly and also provides one-on-one personal training. Staff can also get free memberships to the on-site gym. As for new moms, they can get generous top-up payments up to 100 per cent of their full salary for 13 weeks. In terms of vacations, employees start off at three weeks. And if you want a quick $1,500, refer a new recruit successfully and the money could be yours (www.mars.com).

Marsh Canada Ltd.
If you enjoy leaving early before a long weekend or reduced summer work hours, Marsh Canada Limited might be the place for you. It is designed to give employees of the insurance brokerage more personal time particularly during the summer. Staff can also use five personal paid days any time of the year in addition to their weeks of paid vacation. Other perks of working at Marsh include discounts on home and auto insurance rates. For employees who are interested in further education, Marsh will cover their full tuition costs. The organization also has a share purchase program that is available to employees (www.marsh.ca).

Microsoft Canada
If you want to volunteer with your favourite charity anywhere in the world, you might consider working for Microsoft Canada. After all, the organization, which provides software, marketing, consulting and local support, will pay you five days worth of wages to just take off and help make the world a better place. Other perks include matching RSP contributions and maternity top-up payments up to 75 per cent for 17 weeks. Employees can also get $500 annually for any clubs or sports teams they set up. For the snack-prone, Microsoft has a traveling snack cart that is wheeled through every day. Staff can also take part in share purchase and profit-sharing plans (www.microsoft.ca).

Mintz & Partners LLP
Aspiring accountants can take up to three weeks of paid leave off to finish their CA designation. The medium-sized accounting firm also offers matching RSP contributions and provides up to 95 per cent in parent leave top-up payments for 26 weeks. This applies for adoptive parents as well. For employees who need a new laptop, Mintz offers discounts. Volunteerism is also encouraged, with two days set aside each year for that purpose (www.mintzca.com).

Michener Institute
When it comes to parental leave top-up payments, the Michener Institute is among the best. The organization offers up to 85 per cent of the employee's salary for 52 weeks. Administrators do this for adoptive parents as well. The post-secondary institution is also generous with vacation. It gives employees three weeks of paid vacation along with a Christmas holiday. Staff also get three personal days off during the year. And to stay in shape, there are free memberships at the on-site gym (www.michener.ca).

Mount Sinai Hospital
Aside from being one of Toronto's most well-respected medical institutions, Mount Sinai Hospital is also one of the GTA's most generous employers. The 472-bed patient care, teaching and research hospital provides up to $5,000 in educational grants per degree. Employees also get fitness club subsidies and can access physiotherapy and fitness instruction whenever they need. Staff who are not able to find quick daycare for their children can access a close by daycare up to 20 times a year. New parents also get generous parental leave top-ups (www.mtsinai.on.ca).

Nycomed Canada Inc.
At Nycomed Canada Inc., don't be surprised to get your company news through a monthly podcast. The research-based pharmaceutical company has found this innovative solution is a way to keep their workforce increasingly engaged. The other way is through perks such as maternity top-up payments of up to 100 per cent of one's full salary for 20 weeks. There is also a program for compassionate leave, where staff receive their full salary for eight weeks. The organization also offers $5,000 in educational grants. Nycomed also has a succession-planning program that helps employees transition into management (www.nycomed.ca).

Oliver Bonacini
As the operator of five hot restaurants in the GTA, Oliver Bonacini Restaurants can offer its employees opportunities few others can. This includes excursions to New York for chefs and paid travel for employees who want to tour different winemaking regions around the world. At Oliver Bonacini Restaurants, employees also get widespread on-site training and matching RSP contributions. They also get a free dinner for two after their first orientation. As for vacations, new employees start with three weeks (www.oliverbonacini.com)

Ontario Power Generation
Ongoing education is a big theme at Ontario Power Generation Inc., where employees can access everything from apprenticeship programs to subsidies for professional accreditation. They can also get in-house and online training, mentoring and tuition subsidies. Along with further education benefits, some employees also get year-end bonuses and all employees can access a health-benefits plan that extends into their retirement years. New moms also get maternity top-ups that come to 93 per cent of their full salary over 20 weeks (www.opg.com)

OPTrust
Above-average maternity pay – the most generous of all the GTA employers surveyed – is just part of many benefits that OPTrust, manager of Canada's largest pension fund, offers to keep its employees happy. While new dads get up to 93 per cent of their salary for 37 weeks, new moms get 93 per cent for 52 weeks. Another perk includes $7,500 a year in tuition support for those who wish to take courses or complete a degree. The courses do not necessarily have to be always connected to OPTrust's line of work. Staff can also get discounted gym memberships (www.optrust.com).

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
With countless incentives, it's no wonder PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is one of the top employers in the GTA. Employees get 24 days off to prepare for their Chartered Accountancy exams. Aside from the three weeks' vacation, employees also get nine extra paid days off. The company can help arrange for flexible working hours and locations for families. The firm also helps spouses of new Canadian employees with career development. PWC also has an innovative program allowing staff to work on aid projects in the developing world. The emphasis on volunteerism is also big: PWC donates $10,000 on behalf of the volunteer of the year. The organization also has maternity top-up benefits, matching RSP contributions and a health-benefits plan extending into retirement. Staff can get up to $1,200 for fitness programs (www.pwc.com/ca).

Procter & Gamble Inc.
Diversity is a key theme as visible minority employees are offered student internships and leadership opportunities. So is education. The organization, which manufactures and markets consumer products, also gives about $30,000 in scholarships to children of employees and retirees. Employees also get the usual slew of benefits, including maternity top-up payments, an employee pension plan, health benefits for retirees and matching RSP contributions. In terms of vacation, employees also get four personal paid days off in addition to their regular vacation (www.pgcanada.ca).

Regional Municipality of York
Employees get transit subsidies and top-up payments for parental leave of up to 75 per cent for 12 weeks. The municipality, which services 830,000 residents, also has a formal leave of absence program. One employee recently volunteered with the United Way with the municipality paying for their wages (www.region.york.on.ca).

Russell Investments Canada Ltd.
Employees get four weeks vacation right from the beginning. They get earlier long weekends due to earlier closes. They get monthly contributions to their pension plans at Russell, which is an investment manager services provider. They also get $8,000 in annual educational grants if they wish. And after 10 years on the job, they are eligible for an eight-week paid sabbatical (www.russell.com/ca).

Sapient Canada
Sapient Canada, a data warehousing, and information technology governance and advisory services specialist, is also a socially conscientious business. It recently helped the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research redesign their website on its own dime. The company, a subsidiary of Massachusetts-based Sapient Corp., provides new moms (including adoptive parents) with top-up payments up to 100 per cent of their full salary for 17 weeks. Employees also get matching RSP contributions and subsidized tuition fees. They also get discounts on computer equipment and Internet service courtesy of working for a technology specialist (www.sapient.com).

SAS Institute (Canada) Inc.
The company has just opened a new, green, head office in downtown Toronto and now it's been named one of the GTA's top employers. The institute, which develops data warehousing and specialized business decision support software, provides its employees with perks from matching RSP contributions to free memberships at an on-site gym. Staff also get an equipment allowance for home fitness. In addition to their three-week vacation, employees can also take four paid days to volunteer at a local organization. For those who are into music, SAS also has an in-house band, the "SASations" (www.sas.com/canada).

Scotiabank Group
As one of the leading commercial banks in Canada, Scotiabank Group makes a point of helping female employees make it into management through the `Advancement of Women' initiative. The bank also provides an on-site daycare and flexible work options to help young families. Further education is also an important commitment at Scotiabank Group, where there are tuition subsidies and in house training. There is no annual maximum (www.scotiabank.com).

Swiss Re
This leading re-insurance company offers employees everything from year-end bonuses to low-interest home loans. Staff can purchase shares and take part in profit-sharing plans at the organization, a division of European-based Swiss Re Group. The company also matches RSP contributions, offers a pension plan, and a health plan that extends into retirement. Staff also have the opportunity to work overseas at the parent company (www.swissre.com).

TD Bank Financial Group
Staff get low-interest home loans, have subsidized tuition fees, and matching RSP contributions. They also get year-end bonuses and discounts on banking services. Flexibility is also a key theme at the organization, with employees being able to negotiate alternative working hours or telecommuting. TD is also showing its socially conscious side by working with Ryerson University to help better integrate internationally educated professionals (www.td.com).

Toronto Central CCAC
Non-profit organization Toronto Central Community Care Access Centre made it to our list with its generous starting vacation times and its top-up maternity benefits. New employees at the centre, which offers in-home health and social support services, also start off with four weeks of vacation. New moms get maternity top-up payments of 75 per cent for 25 weeks. The organization, located in downtown Toronto, also offers employees the option of job-sharing or telecommuting (www.toronto.ccac-ont.ca).

Toronto Hydro Corp.
When it comes to maternal leave, Toronto Hydro Corp. is the standout. It offers parents up to 95 per cent of their salaries in top-up payments for 52 weeks. This extends to adoptive parents. New dads get 95 per cent of their salaries covered for 37 weeks. Toronto Hydro, which services 676,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers, offers unlimited annual tuition payment and a health-benefits package extending to retirement. Toronto Hydro also shows its proud socially responsible side, with its 50-year-old employee charitable foundation (www.torontohydro.com).

Toronto International Film Festival Group
If you want free passes to the Toronto film festival, you might want to consider working for the Toronto International Film Festival Group. The company, a charitable, cultural and educational organization devoted to celebrating excellence in film, gives staff access to film screenings, lectures and DVD lending privileges. It also offers matching RSP contributions, education tuition subsidies and top-up payments for parental leave (www.tiffg.ca).

University Health Network
As one of the top employers in the GTA, the University Health Network makes a point of paying attention to its employees' families. Whether it's providing on-site daycare or giving scholarships to employees' children, the organization hopes its benefits will help attract and retain employees. Maternity top-ups can run up 93 per cent. Paternity top-ups go up to 85 per cent for 10 weeks. The University Health Network also subsidizes employee adoption costs (www.uhn.on.ca).