Why Work at the Region

Benefits

We offer regular full-time employees a benefits package that includes:

• Health coverage, including a prescription drug card
• Dental coverage
• Healthcare spending account (if applicable)
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability (LTD) insurance
• Short-term disability (short-term income protection plan [STIPP] or sick leave plan)
• Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Uniform, safety boot and tool allowance (if applicable)
• Additional statutory holidays
• Paid bereavement leave
• Jury and witness duty pay
• Emergency medical travel assistance and insurance
• Shift premiums (if applicable)
• Free parking
• Pregnancy leave top-up
• And many more benefits

Eligible part-time staff may also receive health coverage.

Salary

Our salary and benefits are competitive with other municipal employers. We pay union employees according to the applicable collective agreement. We pay non-union employees according to the non-union salary grid. We determine the pay grid for each job and employees move through the scale.

Pension plan

Continuous full-time employees and eligible part-time or temporary employees are enrolled in the Ontario Municipal Employees' Retirement System (OMERS). Employees pay into to the pension plan through payroll deduction. We match what employees contribute to the plan. These contributions will fund a portion of your pension.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

We have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for short-term counselling for family and relationship issues, trauma, depression, financial concerns, and many other issues.

Wellness

We promote a safe and healthy work environment by offering various resources. These sessions are not available at all locations, but may include:

• Alternate work arrangements.
• Free flu clinics.
• Blood pressure and cholesterol screening sessions.
• Healthy workplace programs, including nutrition, fitness classes and massage therapy.
• Ergonomic assessments (as necessary).
• Wellness workshops, general interest workshops and lunch and learns.

Rewards and recognition

We value our employees and we want them to know that their hard work is noticed. There are four ways we recognize our staff:

• Service recognition and retirement functions or celebrations
• Staff appreciation events
• Informal recognition
• Awards of Excellence

Learning and development

We are committed to giving our employees ongoing learning and development opportunities, such as:

• Leadership development
• Skill development
• Succession planning
• In-class and e-learning opportunities
• Resource library (books and videos)
• Conference opportunities
• Tuition assistance
• Employee development and feedback program
• Innovation labs
• Career planning resources

Community outreach and social events

These are some of the ways we get involved with our local community:

United Way

Throughout the year we schedule events that help support the United Way such as:

• Silent auctions
• Vendor, plant, and bake sales
• Canada's Wonderland ticket sales
• Payroll contributions

Social committee (Celebrate Durham Employee Committee)

There are many events for employees and their family during the year, such as:

• Oshawa Generals game
• Harlem Globetrotters
• Paint Night
• Treetop Trekking
• Roller Skating
• Christmas Gala

Other activities

• Blood donor clinics
• Smart Commute (carpooling)
• Soccer
• National Public Works Week tours
• Paramedic Services Open House
• Take Our Kids to Work Day