SFU named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2023

Tuition subsidies, generous maternity and paternity leave and four weeks of paid holidays for new employees are among the many reasons Simon Fraser University has again been named as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers.

The annual competition evaluates employers across a range of criteria, including workplace, benefits and training. SFU was lauded for its work environment, which includes hybrid work options, health and family-friendly benefits, vacation and personal-time off, and its training and skills development.

“As vice-president, people, equity and inclusion at Simon Fraser University, my focus is to ensure our people are able to thrive in an environment that is safe, diverse, equitable and inclusive of all,” says Yabome Gilpin-Jackson, SFU’s inaugural VP people, equity and inclusion.  

“I am thankful to all the teams that work hard to deliver on this promise to our SFU people. While our work is not done, the annual Canada’s Top 100 Employers list reenforces what people employed here already know – SFU is a great place to work.”

Now in its 23^rd year, the competition is published annually by MediaCorp Canada in a special magazine within The Globe and Mail. SFU has also been named one of the Top Employers for Canadians over 40, one of Canada’s Top Family-Friendly Employers, and one of B.C.’s Top Employers.

Judges applauded SFU for encouraging employees to continue their education through tuition subsidies for courses and through a variety of in-house and online training programs. Starting new employees at four weeks of paid vacation with additional paid days between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day and generous maternity and parental leave top-up for new mothers, fathers or adoptive parents was also noted.

“SFU’s efforts to support employee development are reflected in the university’s continued ranking as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers,” says Christina Medland, SFU’s executive director, people and organization development. “The university strives to help faculty and staff with resources, like tuition subsidies, in-house training and professional development funds, to reach their full-potential and achieve their career objectives. This approach is part of our culture and enhances the SFU experience so it’s wonderful when it’s recognized.”

Over the past few months, university leadership has been undergoing consultations with the SFU community as part of SFU: What’s Next?, to develop an institution-wide strategic plan and priorities that will guide the university’s future. Part of that process will look at transforming the SFU experience – creating and maintaining the frameworks and improving process, systems and structures for all SFU employees.

In Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2023, SFU scored the highest possible mark, an A+, in four of the competition’s eight categories, including health and family benefits. Read the full report.

“SFU takes pride in being a great place to work for people with families,” says Chris Hatty, executive director, human resources and labour relations. “SFU’s benefits, including a defined-benefit pension plan, comprehensive medical and dental coverage, generous parental leave for continuing employees, hybrid work options, financial support for employees and dependents to attend university credit courses and on-campus daycare make the university an excellent career choice for employees with children.”