Recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers (2019), Canada's Top Family-Friendly Employers (2018) and BC's Top Employers (2018):
By Richard Yerema and Kristina Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Nov 8, 2018)
Here are some of the reasons why Vancouver City Savings Credit Union was selected as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers (2019), Canada's Top Family-Friendly Employers (2018) and BC's Top Employers (2018):
- In keeping with the federal government's recently extended maternity and parental leave policies to 18 months, Vancity has raised the bar through the introduction of combined maternity and parental leave top-ups to 85% of salary for 78 weeks -- as well as extending the parental leave portion for new dads and adoptive parents to 85% of salary for 61 weeks
- Along with being one of Canada's largest "Living Wage" employers (with starting pay rates much higher than the official minimum wage), Vancity helps employees save for the future with contributions to a defined benefit pension plan and a non-matching RSP plan (with an option for employees to contribute)
- A familiar name in the wider community, Vancity's "Community Partnership" committee is comprised of employees that review and select the many initiatives that employees and the credit union support every year -- including last year's "Walk for Reconciliation" in support of Indigenous Canadians and the desire of building a better shared future for all Canadians

Employer Background
Industry | Credit unions |
Established in Canada | 1946 |
Major Canadian hiring locations | Vancouver BC, Victoria BC |
Full-time employees in Canada | 2,147 |
Part-time employees in Canada | 474 |
Workforce engaged on a contract basis | 3.07% |
Average age of employees in Canada | 41.65 years |
Longest serving employee | 43 years |
Physical Workplace Rating: A
Commuter amenities | transit subsidies, online car-pool sign-up, electric vehicle charging stations, secure/sheltered bicycle parking |
Workplace features | Vancity Centre is situated at the head of False Creek, an inlet to the Pacific Ocean that borders downtown Vancouver, the office was custom built to include easy access to the SkyTrain, inside, telecommuter workstations, sit-stand workstations, nap room, outdoor patio, and features onsite locker room and shower facilities, instructor-led yoga and pilates classes, and registered massage therapy services |
Employee lounge amenities | comfortable seating, unique rooftop "Sky Garden" and patio on the 12th floor |
Other nearby amenities | Creekside Community Centre, fitness club, False Creek Seawall, daycare, restaurants, TELUS World of Science, Granville Island, Olympic Village, Gastown, Yaletown neighbourhoods |
Work Atmosphere & Communications Rating: B+
Recent social events | "To Infinity and Beyond" employee recognition event with over 1,000 employees in attendance, Vancity Member Day at the Pacific National Exhibition, over 550 employees participated in the "Walk for Reconciliation" in support of Indigenous Canadians and to express support for building a better shared future for all Canadians |
Cultural aspects | business casual dress, casual dress Fridays, music while working, concierge services available |
Employee communications | intranet site, company newsletter, internal social media |
Financial Benefits & Compensation Rating: A+
Outside salary surveys | participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months |
Employee salary reviews | individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months |
Long-term savings | defined-benefit (DB) pension, non-matching RSP |
Long-term planning | retirement planning assistance, life & disability insurance |
Profit-sharing plan | available to all employees |
Referral bonuses (max) | new employee referral bonuses (up to $800) for some positions |
Signing bonuses | available for some positions |
Additional financial benefits | low-interest home loans, discounted financial services, interest-free computer purchase loan program, employees have the option to choose to contribute to the non-matching RSP plan |
Health & Family-Friendly Benefits Rating: A
Health plan note | Vancity has multiple employee groups, health plans may vary by position |
Health plan premium | as part of the health plan, the employer pays up to 100% of the premiums |
Flexible coverage | health plan is flexible with adjustable premiums and coverage levels |
Minimum hours worked for coverage | 17 hours per week |
Waiting period for coverage | 90 days |
Family coverage option | yes |
Dental coverage | routine, restorative, orthodontics |
Traditional coverage (e.g. prescription drugs) | yes |
Other health plan information | employee assistance (EAP) plan, physiotherapy, medical travel insurance, homecare, medical equipment and supplies, massage therapy, nutrition planning, podiatrist, osteopathy, chiropractor, alternative coverage (e.g. accupuncture, naturopathy) |
Additional health and wellness information | retiree coverage extends up to 15 years post-retirement, bi-weekly chair massages, flu shot clinic, free online health assessments |
Maternity top-up (mothers) | up to 85% of salary for 17 weeks |
Parental top-up (mothers) | up to 85% of salary for 61 weeks |
Parental top-up (fathers) | up to 85% of salary for 61 weeks |
Adoption top-up | up to 85% of salary for 61 weeks |
Additional family-friendly benefits | extended parental leave to unpaid leave |
Alternative work options | flexible work hours, 35-hour work week (with full pay), shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay), compressed work week, telecommuting, earned days off program |
Additional family-friendly information | care time policy (which can be used for personal illness, severe illness of an immediate family member, emergency child arrangements and eldercare arrangements), free summer leadership camp for employees' children (from 14 to 18 years of age) |
Vacation & Personal Time-Off Rating: B+
Vacation note | Vancity has multiple employee groups, vacation policies may vary by position |
Vacation allowance | new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job |
Vacation jump | vacation increases after 4 years of employment |
Maximum vacation allowance | employees move to a maximum of 5 weeks of vacation over their career |
Unpaid leave maximum | 24 months |
Additional time-off information | some employees receive 4 weeks of vacation to start and work to a maximum of 6 weeks vacation |
Employee Engagement & Performance Rating: A+
Employee performance reviews | employees receive individual performance reviews every 12 months |
Managers receive performance review training | yes |
360° feedback option | as part of the review process, performance feedback is also solicited from co-workers and other managers familiar with each employee's work |
Confidential employee feedback | employees can also provide confidential feedback on their manager's performance |
Exit interview | exit interview option is available for departing employees |
Performance recognition | individual performance bonuses, long-service awards |
In-house survey period | in-house surveys are conducted every 12 months |
Outside survey period | outside consultant surveys are held every 12 months |
Training & Skills Development Rating: A+
Career planning | in-house career planning services, online employee skills inventory |
In-house training initiatives | mentoring, in-house training, online training, leadership training, paid internships, subsidies for professional accreditation |
Related tuition subsidies | employer covers up to 100% of tuition per year |
Annual tuition maximum | employer pays up to $2,400 in tuition subsidies for job-related courses per year |
Unrelated tuition subsidies | employer covers up to 100% of tuition per year for courses unrelated to current position |
Unrelated tuition maximum | employer pays up to $2,400 in tuition subsidies per year for courses unrelated to current position |
Unique training & development programs | unique live and work co-op training option for employees interested in living in Bologna, Italy (where co-operatives account for one-third of the GDP), secondments for employees who want to spend time working at a non-profit organization in BC (from 4 months to 2 years), opportunity to participate in St. Mary's University's international Master of Management Co-operative and Credit Unions Program (located in Halifax) |
Community Involvement Rating: A
Scope of charitable involvement | local |
Total number of charities supported last year | approximately 88 charitable and community organizations were supported last year |
Some of the community organizations supported | Greater Victoria Housing Society and Catalyst Community Developments, Living Wage for Families Campaign, The Pembina Institute, BCIT's Aboriginal Student Services and Native Education College, Green Jobs Coalition, Ocean Wise Local Food Program, Social Purpose Real Estate Collaborative |
Community highlight | Vancity supports a "Community Partnership" committee that is comprised of employees from all lines of business within the co-operative, who are are responsible for reviewing and selecting those community and charitable initiatives to support (providing up to $10,000 for selected initiatives). The credit union's main focus includes support for affordable housing, co-operative business, economic inclusion, energy and environment, impact business development, labour, Indigenous communities, local and organic food initiatives, and social purpose-focused real estate. |
Recognized as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers (2018):
By Kristina Leung and Richard Yerema, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Mar 1, 2018)
Here are some of the reasons why Vancouver City Savings Credit Union was selected as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers (2018):
- In partnership with the Vancouver School Board, Vancity piloted a work experience program for high school students with disabilities last year, and, contracted Focus Professional Services to employ 8 individuals with autism in functional testing and data quality roles
- Through the job carving process, Vancity created a new role to support administrative work within the organization's various branches -- the position was developed in collaboration with various community partners and Vancity has hired a number of neuro-diverse individuals for 22 pilot locations

"Vancity has worked with me from the very beginning by adapting my workstation, making sure washrooms and work areas were accessible, and educating my colleagues about the service dog I had at the time. More recently they purchased voice recognition software that I can use with our banking platforms to enable me to do my job more effectively. Also, when it became clear that my limited hand function was making the multitasking nature of my job difficult, they were willing to make accommodations to my current job description and responsibilities to work with my strengths. Everyone wants to be accepted, supported, and valued as an employee. I am no different. At Vancity, people see my strengths not just my limitations. I appreciate their commitment to being an inclusive workplace." Tammy V., Member Service Representative
Highlights
Industry | Credit Unions |
Major Canadian hiring locations | Vancouver BC, Victoria BC |
Full-time employees in Canada | 2,050 |
Formal diversity strategy | has a defined strategy to achieve diversity and inclusion goals |
Formal commitment | Indigenous partnership strategy to support urban Indigenous peoples and First Nation communities |
Employee resource groups | Diversity and Inclusion Alliance (50 members, engages workforce on related issues) |
Diversity highlights | Vancity's President and CEO, Tamara Vrooman, was appointed to the provincial government as a Co-Chair of the President's Group, which is tasked with identifying barriers to employment for persons with disabilities as part of the province's Accessibility 2024 plan, manages lending programs for Indigenous individuals living on reserves as well as bank accounts for persons with disabilities, created an Entrepreneurs with Disabilities program to provide business loans and coaching |
Some of the diversity-focused partnerships | Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, Open Door Group, posAbilities, Reconciliation Canada |
Recognized as one of Canada's Greenest Employers (2018):
By Richard Yerema and Kristina Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Apr 18, 2018)
Here are some of the reasons why Vancouver City Savings Credit Union was selected as one of Canada's Greenest Employers (2018):
- Vancity's head office employees have consistently achieved waste diversion rates of over 85% through aggressive recycling and composting programs -- the credit union also works directly with landlords to encourage recycling and additional diversion programs, and maintains aggressive waste and composting programs at 50 branch locations
- Vancity encourages its customers to make sustainable choices through a number of green financial products, including socially and environmentally responsible investment funds, a special "enviro VISA" with donations of at least 5% of profits to local environmental projects, and discounted loans for the purchase of fuel-efficient, hybrid and electric cars

Highlights
Industry | Credit Unions |
Major Canadian hiring locations | Vancouver BC, Victoria BC |
Full-time employees in Canada | 2,050 |
Employee green team | Vancity Environmental Sustainability Team (includes 65 volunteers) |
Senior executive who oversees initiatives | Director, Facility and Environmental Management |
Green highlights | enviro Visa (donates at least 5% of profits to local environmental projects), Green Business Program (helps businesses integrate sustainability into their operations), IAC Inhance SRI Funds (investment portfolio of companies that incorporate environmental practices in managing their businesses), Clean Air Vehicle Loan (no maximum and no pre-payment penalties), Share Success program (gives 30% of net profits back to members and community organizations working to improve social, economic and environmental conditions), tracks greenhouse gas emissions (including tracking energy usage, employee commuting, business transportation and paper usage) |
Extended recycling | batteries, organics (at some locations), paper towels, metal |
Commuter amenities | transit subsidies, online car-pool sign-up, secure/sheltered bicycle parking, walk to public transit, telecommuter workstations |
In-house environmental audit | yes |
External environmental audit | yes |
Publishes sustainability report | yes |
Some of the green community initiatives | sponsorship of the annual Bike to Work Week (employees volunteer to host free bike maintenance and safe cycling workshops as well as celebration stations during the week), Hives for Humanity (bee keeping workshops for employees) |
Other location LEED | Gold |
Building footprint includes | PV solar panels, rainwater collection, green roof, solar water heating, geothermal heating/cooling, electric vehicle charging stations, heat recovery system to capture waste heat from IT computer server room, reflective e-glass, non CFC refrigerants, water-based paints, commercially harvested second-growth wood and recyclable carpets, centralized building controls (for shutting down lights and computer equipment), head office was certified to "Ceres Principles" in 1995 (prior to LEED certification standards), three branch locations are LEED Gold certified and one branch is LEED Silver certified, other building accreditation (BOMA etc.) |
Recognized as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2019):
By Kristina Leung and Richard Yerema, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Jan 17, 2019)
Here are some of the reasons why Vancouver City Savings Credit Union was selected as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2019):
- Vancity offers a unique live and work co-op training option for employees interested in living in Bologna, Italy, where co-operatives account for one-third of the GDP -- additionally, the credit union provides secondments for employees who wish to work with BC-based non-profit organizations
- Vancity manages a Community Leadership internship program to provide work experience to diverse individuals who face barriers to employment
- Vancity employees have the opportunity to participate in the Master of Management Co-operative and Credit Unions Program, which provides management skills to help individuals run a successful co-operative business -- the program includes coursework, a final paper and opportunities to study abroad in Spain or Italy

Highlights
Industry | Credit unions |
Major Canadian hiring locations | Vancouver BC, Victoria BC |
Full-time employees in Canada | 2,147 |
Student opportunities | summer jobs, co-op opportunities, paid internships |
Related tuition subsidies | employer covers up to 100% of tuition per year |
Annual tuition maximum | employer pays up to $2,400 in tuition subsidies for job-related courses per year |
Career development | in-house training, online training, in-house career planning services, mentoring, leadership training, online employee skills inventory |
Vacation allowance | new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job |
Unique initiatives | Explorer Network provides opportunities for employees from all levels to work on a strategic idea or initiative on a voluntary basis |
The Career Directory
Vancouver City Savings Credit Union has been selected for The Career Directory, our guide to entry-level recruitment for recent college and university graduates.

Highlights for New Grads
Industry | Credit unions |
Full-time employees in Canada | 1,001 to 2,500 |
Major Canadian hiring locations | Vancouver BC, Victoria BC |
Student opportunities | paid internships, summer jobs, co-op opportunities |
Training | subsidies for professional accreditation, orientation program, online training, in-house training, mentoring, in-house career planning services, leadership training |
Annual tuition maximum | employer pays up to $2,400 in tuition subsidies for job-related courses per year |
Typical new grad positions | Treasury, Financial Services Representative, Customer Service Representative, Marketing Co-op Student, Filing Clerk, Administrative Intern, Online Marketing Intern and Web Experience Intern positions |
Starting salary | $30K to $35K |
Work benefits | health benefits for new employees, flexible work hours, telecommuting, transit subsidies |
Vacation allowance | new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job |
Academic fields recruited
-
Bachelor of Commerce / Business Administration
- Accounting
- Finance
- Information Systems
- Marketing
-
Bachelor of Science
- Computer Science
-
Community College Diploma
- Accounting
- Business
- Computer Science
- Financial Planning
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
- Marketing / Sales
- Purchasing / Logistics
-
Professional Accreditation
- Accounting (CA)
- Accounting (CGA)
- Accounting (CMA)
Recruits at these schools
- British Columbia Institute of Technology
- Simon Fraser University
- University of British Columbia