U of T continues as one of GTA’s Top Employers (October 28, 2009)

For the fourth consecutive year, the University of Toronto has been named one of the Top Employers in Greater Toronto.

The annual competition is conducted by Mediacorp Canada Inc. in partnership with the Toronto Star. The Greater Toronto's Top Employers special designation recognizes GTA employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional workplaces. This year, 90 organizations were honoured.

“We know that employees want a workplace that helps them to address the issues they face both as professionals and as individuals,” says Professor Angela Hildyard, Vice-President (Human Resources and Equity). “We are very proud that our efforts to provide a challenging, supportive and healthy workplace with excellent opportunities for career development have been recognized. We continue to look for creative ways to further improve the working experience at the University.”

The list was compiled by Mediacorp based on employer offerings in eight areas: (1) physical workplace; (2) work atmosphere and social; (3) healthy, financial and family benefits; (4) vacation and time off; (5) employee communications; (6) performance development; (7) training and skills development; and (8) community involvement. Organizations were compared with others in their fields to determine the most progressive and innovative workplaces for employees. The complete list appeared in the Oct. 17 Toronto Star.

U of T’s application highlighted its new child care subsidy, which reimburses child-care expenses for children under the age of seven up to a potential maximum reimbursement of $2,000 per child per year. As well, the University offers employees constructive assistance for family and personal issues through its equity offices, the employee and family assistance program, a wide range of training and career development programs, and generous time off during the annual December shut-down.

“As an organization, the University recognizes that the people who work here are our most valuable asset,” says Hildyard. “We want to provide the best workplace possible to encourage our excellent staff and faculty to stay, flourish and to contribute to our goal of making a far-reaching and positive difference in the world.”

U of T is the 15th-largest employer in the GTA, with over 8,000 full-time employees. The University’s overall estimated economic impact on the GTA economy is $5.4 billion.

More information on U of T's staff benefits and perks can be found at www.hrandequity.utoronto.ca.