McGill rated one of Montreal’s top employers

McGill is one of Montreal’s best places to work according to the Montréal’s Top Employers list released earlier today in a special magazine published in the Montreal Gazette. Among other benefits, the University was praised for providing employees with a unique and stimulating work environment; flexible work arrangements; and maternity leave top-ups. This marks the 16th consecutive year that McGill has made the list.

Diana Dutton, Associate Vice-President, Human Resources, said McGill is proud of its diverse and dynamic workforce that plays a vital role in supporting the University in fulfilling it academic mission.

“McGill’s priorities as an employer include supporting health and wellness, promoting diversity and inclusion, and offering flexible work options and opportunities for professional development,” she said.

One of Canada’s ‘most unique urban campuses’

McGill was cited for a wide range of employee benefits, including generous vacation packages. “McGill University encourages employees to take time off to recharge with three weeks of starting vacation allowance [after one year] and additional paid time-off during the summer and winter months,” read the citation. “Employees move to four weeks of vacation after only three years on the job.”

The University was also praised for the overall work environment. “McGill University employees enjoy the benefits of working at one of the country’s most unique urban campuses with access to first rate fitness facilities (including gyms, tracks, courts, swimming, climbing walls, indoor golf facilities and a range of instructor-led classes),” read the citation. “Employees may also take advantage of the onsite Sports Medicine Clinic when their health requires extra attention.”

Finally, the citation praised the University’s support of new mothers. “Along with maternity leave top-up payments for new mothers (to 95 per cent of salary for 20 weeks), McGill University makes it a little easier for new mothers to return to work with onsite childcare and the option to extend their leave into an unpaid leave of absence.”

Also highlighted were McGill’s hybrid work options; reduced summer schedule; pension plan; in-house employee training; and tuition subsidies, among others.

Employers rated on eight criteria

Compiled by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, Montréal’s Top Employers recognizes employers in the Greater Montreal area that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work. Employers are compared to other organizations in their field to determine which offer the most progressive and forward-thinking programs.

Employers are evaluated on the following criteria:

• work environment
• work and social atmosphere
• health, financial and family-friendly benefits
• vacation and time off
• employee communications
• performance management
• training and skills development
• community involvement

The competition is open to any employer with their head office or principal place of business located in Greater Montreal.

“This year’s Montréal’s Top Employers rank ahead of many employers across Canada in terms of the baseline benefits and programs that they offer,” said Kristina Leung, managing editor at the Canada’s Top 100 Employers project. “They have longer experience with Québec’s parental leave top-up legislation, which is higher than the national average, and subsidized childcare options. So, they focus on improving employees’ quality of life, such as by creating opportunities for them to build friendships and social connections outside the workplace.”

The full list of Montréal’s Top Employers (2024) was announced today in a special magazine published in the Montreal Gazette. Read the full McGill citation.