Concordia is one of Montreal’s top employers for 2017

Concordia’s exceptional family-friendly benefits were among the reasons the university made the list of Montreal’s top employers for 2017.

They include a full year of paid leave for most new mothers who are staff or faculty members, and a parental leave top-up for fathers and adoptive parents, as well as a vacation allowance and paid time off, and access to onsite fitness facilities.

It’s the second year in a row that Concordia has placed among the city’s 35 best workplaces in the annual competition.

Concordia president Alan Shepard agrees that what Concordia offers is very attractive, but says it’s the employees’ connection to the place and its people that makes the university a great place to work.

“There’s a deep affection for Concordia that runs through the community. Even though we’re large, people care about each other. They’re interested in each other’s professional lives, their personal lives, and helping each other out.”

Shepard adds that staff and faculty at the university always strive to put students first. “The success and well-being of those who chose to study at Concordia is the common mission and purpose that connects us.”

For the 2017 Top Employers competition, the university was evaluated on the full complement of programs that support its employees. These include not only the aforementioned parental benefits, but also its defined benefit pension plan and the professional development opportunities for staff and faculty.

Concordia is also noted for its campus, which includes onsite arts and cultural events, libraries and green spaces; employee communications like the staff and faculty NOW news bulletin and Cspace; and opportunities for community involvement like the annual Shuffle, Community Campaign and Centraide campaign.

To top it all off, says Shepard, it’s a fun place to work. “It’s a great environment. Education is all about personal transformation. It’s fun to come to work knowing that what we’re doing really matters in the lives of our students and our community. It’s thrilling to know that you’re part of that process.”