Recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers (2025) and BC's Top Employers (2025):
Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Nov 14, 2024)
Here are some of the reasons why BC Public Service was selected as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers (2025) and BC's Top Employers (2025):
- BC Public Service offers up to a full year of maternity and parental leave top-up for new mothers and provides parental top-up for fathers and adoptive parents (75 per cent of salary for up to 35 weeks) -- parents are also able to apply to extend their leave into an unpaid leave of absence if desired
- BC Public Service uses the ThoughtExchange platform to gather employee feedback and engagement for continuous improvement and celebrates exceptional projects, teams and individuals through its annual Premier's Awards for Innovation and Excellence (ceremony is live-streamed and recorded to enable employees to watch anytime)
- BC Public Service's long-standing Community Services Fund supports charitable organizations through payroll deductions and fundraising events, raising over $55 million since 1965 and providing support to numerous charities and causes across the province
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Employer Background
Industry | Provincial governments |
Major Canadian locations | Kamloops BC, Surrey BC, Victoria BC, Vancouver BC, Prince George BC |
Full-time employees in Canada | 37,562 |
Part-time employees in Canada | 2,263 |
Average age of employees in Canada | 43.1 years |
Longest serving employee | 55.6 years |
Work Environment Rating: A
Flexible work options | hybrid work option, flexible work hours, 35-hour work week (with full pay), shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay), compressed work week, earned days off program, co-working initiative called ShareSpace that enables employees from all ministries to work from a variety of bookable workplaces |
Commuter amenities | walk to public transit, transit subsidies, free parking, electric vehicle charging stations, secure/sheltered bicycle parking, nearby bike sharing station |
Onsite workplace features | employees based in Victoria work in a range of unique facilities from the Selkirk Waterfront development to the landmark provincial Parliament Buildings in Victoria's inner harbour, offices feature telecommuter workstations, telecommuter workstations, sit-stand workstations, private phone booth, religious observance room, self-serve lunchroom, outdoor patio, outdoor barbecue |
Employee lounge amenities | comfortable seating, music, quiet rooms (lounge features vary across locations) |
Other food options at main location | onsite cafeteria operated by a non-profit with all proceeds going to charity, food trucks at various locations |
Onsite fitness facility | for employees only, free membership, treadmills, stationary bikes, stairmasters, elliptical trainers, rowing machines, weights, shower facilities, (4 other work locations have onsite fitness facilities) |
Work Atmosphere & Communications Rating: B
Employee social committee name | numerous employee-led social committees across the service |
Past social events | annual Public Service Week celebrations in recognition of its employees (barbecues, virtual socials, trivia competitions), talent shows showcasing employees' skills (photography, violin, gardening, baking) |
Cultural aspects | business-casual dress daily, dress-for-your-day policy, casual dress (e.g. jeans) daily, casual dress Fridays, music while working, employee sports teams |
Employee communications | intranet site, company newsletter, traditional/email suggestion box, internal social media |
Other in-house communications | ThoughtExchange platform to leverage employee feedback and ideas |
Financial Benefits & Compensation Rating: A
Financial benefits note | BC Public Service has multiple employee groups, financial benefits may vary by position |
Outside salary surveys | participates in outside salary surveys every 6 months |
Employee salary reviews | individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months |
Long-term savings | defined-benefit (DB) pension |
Additional financial benefits | corporate discount program (e.g. retail, services, travel, etc.), free one-on-one sessions with a retirement planning professional |
Health & Family-Friendly Benefits Rating: B+
Health plan note | BC Public Service 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 |
Waiting period for coverage | 90 days |
Family coverage option | yes |
Dental coverage | routine, restorative, orthodontics |
Eyecare | $250 every 2 years |
Health plan includes | traditional coverage (e.g. prescription drugs), employee assistance (EAP) plan, semi-private hospital room, physiotherapy, medical travel insurance, medical equipment and supplies, massage therapy, podiatrist, chiropractor, alternative coverage (e.g. acupuncture, naturopathy) |
Mental health practitioner benefit | up to $750 each year |
Additional health plan information | non-union employees have a flexible health plan and the option to put some funding into an HSA annually |
Family-friendly benefits note | BC Public Service has multiple employee groups, family-friendly policies may vary by position |
Maternity top-up (mothers) | up to 85% of salary for 15 weeks |
Parental top-up (mothers) | up to 75% of salary for 35 weeks |
Parental top-up (fathers) | up to 75% of salary for 35 weeks |
Adoption top-up | up to 75% of salary for 35 weeks |
Additional family-friendly benefits | extended parental leave to unpaid leave, academic scholarships of up to $2,500 per child |
Additional family-friendly information | pre-placement adoption leave and an allowance for prospective adoptive parents (to 85% of salary for up to 7 weeks) |
Vacation & Personal Time-Off Rating: B
Vacation note | BC Public Service 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 6 years of employment |
Maximum vacation allowance | employees move to a maximum of 7 weeks of vacation over their career |
Unpaid leave maximum | 24 months |
Self-funded/deferred salary leave maximum | 12 months |
Additional time-off information | non-union employees start with 4 weeks of paid 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 | peer-to-peer recognition awards, long-service awards, Premier's Awards to recognize outstanding projects, teams or individuals in the public service |
In-house survey period | in-house surveys are conducted every 24 months |
Training & Skills Development Rating: B+
In-house training initiatives | mentoring, in-house training, online training, leadership development programs, paid internships, subsidies for professional accreditation, mentoring to transfer retirees' skills |
Tuition subsidies (related to job) | yes |
Tuition subsidies (unrelated to job) | yes |
Unique training & development programs | Learn @ Work Week (annual event, past themes include innovation, Truth and Reconciliation, and health and well-being), Learning Curator program offering self-directed learning pathways (short curated resources such as articles, videos, reading, and course recommendations) |
Community Involvement Rating: A+
Scope of charitable involvement | local, national, international |
Employee charitable involvement | employees are involved in selection of charities |
Total number of charities supported last year | approximately 1,200 charitable and community organizations were supported last year |
Some of the community organizations supported | BC Cancer Foundation, Our Place Society, Indian Residential School Survivors Society, Victoria Women's Transition House Society, Canadian Red Cross Society |
Community highlight | BC Public Service maintains the longstanding Community Fund (since 1965), hosting an annual charitable campaign and raising over $55-million dollars since it was established, directing generous donations to many important causes and charities across the province |
Recognized as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers (2024):
By Kristina Leung and Stephanie Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Mar 4, 2024)
Here are some of the reasons why BC Public Service was selected as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers (2024):
- BC Public Service's benefit plan was updated in 2022, including new inclusive benefits such as eight weeks of paid leave to access gender affirming care, two days of paid leave for Indigenous employees to observe or participate in traditional activities, along with an expanded definition of family for Indigenous employees
- BC Public Service launched an Indigenous leadership and mentorship program after a successful pilot with the aim of increasing representation of Indigenous people in senior roles within the organization -- participants are streamed into three categories, including new to the BC Public Service, growing and aspiring leaders, and experienced leaders
- BC Public Service offers an Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service to support Indigenous applicants through the hiring process -- the advisory service provides advice and support on navigating the hiring system, resumes, cover letters, completing questionnaires and oral interview preparation
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Highlights
Industry | Provincial government |
Major Canadian locations | Kamloops BC, Surrey BC, Victoria BC, Vancouver BC, Prince George BC |
Full-time employees in Canada | 34,366 |
Management of diversity and inclusion initiatives | assistant deputy ministers' committee on diversity and inclusion, diversity and inclusion branch and ministry leads, Where We All Belong diversity and inclusion strategy |
Employee resource groups | 2SLGBTQIA+, Black, Indigenous and People of Colour, Indigenous Employees Network, Accessibility Community of Practice, Employee Accessibility Advisory Council |
Noteworthy diversity strategies and policies | action plan to implement UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, decisions reviewed through a Gender-based Analysis Plus lens |
Recruitment initiatives | Indigenous applicant advisory service to support internal and external applicants who self-identify as Indigenous and apply for a job with BC Public Service, Indigenous youth internship program for individuals between the ages of 19 and 29 (participants intern at a government ministry for 9 months to learn various aspects of public service, followed by a 3-month placement at an Indigenous organization), Work-Able internship program (12-month internship for post-secondary graduates who self-identify as having a disability), all job postings are open by default to applicants in any BC community where the hiring ministry has an existing office |
Retention and development programs | Indigenous leadership and mentorship program (3 streams: new to BC Public Service, growing and aspiring leaders, and experienced leaders) |
Training and awareness initiatives | diversity and inclusion resource centre (features the public services's strategy, learning opportunities and resources on diversity, inclusion and reconciliation) |
Diversity highlights | benefit plan updates include 8 weeks of paid leave to access gender affirming care, 2 days of paid cultural leave for Indigenous employees, an expanded definition of family for Indigenous employees, and 2 days of paid supplementary leave for all employees, piloting a new performance development platform with specific learning goals around equity, diversity and inclusion and reconciliation, new workforce planning templates for all ministries with equity and belonging a significant focus of workforce plans |
Recognized as one of Canada's Greenest Employers (2024):
Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Apr 15, 2024)
Here are some of the reasons why BC Public Service was selected as one of Canada's Greenest Employers (2024):
- BC Public Service encourages employees to get involved in the service's numerous initiatives through both government-wide green teams and teams at locations across the province
- BC Public Service focuses on alternative modes of commuting by encouraging employees to participate in annual GoByBike Week initiatives across the province (formerly Bike to Work Week) and updating its vehicle fleet procurement policies to include electric and hybrid vehicles wherever possible -- the goal is to have all new light-duty vehicle purchases be zero emission vehicles along with expansion in vehicle charging infrastructure
- BC Public Service building portfolio includes LEED Gold- and Platinum-certified structures and has set LEED Gold as the minimum standard for new building construction -- the service also considers environmental interests alongside social and financial considerations when assessing new properties
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Highlights
Industry | Provincial government |
Major Canadian locations | Kamloops BC, Surrey BC, Victoria BC, Vancouver BC, Prince George BC |
Full-time employees in Canada | 34,366 |
Part-time employees in Canada | 2,207 |
Employee green team | Green Teams (government-wide and separate teams across BC Public Service), CITZ Green Team |
Senior executive who oversees initiatives | assistant deputy minister, real property division |
Formal strategy/policy name | environmental stewardship policy (est. 2000); CleanBC (est. 2018) |
Publishes sustainability report | yes |
Green highlights | Carbon Neutral Government website (features online tools and resources for all employees), Climate Leader Reader (provides information on new policies, tips and educational opportunities related to climate change mitigation and adaptation for public sector organizations) |
Building footprint includes | PV solar panels, rainwater collection, green roof, solar water heating, geothermal heating/cooling, electric vehicle charging stations, new building construction designed to meet LEED Gold certification standards, real property division considers environmental interests equally alongside social and financial considerations when assessing properties |
Extended recycling | organics, batteries, enhanced recycling in government buildings (beyond some municipalities' minimums) |
Commuter amenities | encouraging employees across the province to participate in GoByBike Week (formerly Bike to Work Week), updated vehicle fleet standards to include an electric and hybrid vehicle purchasing policy where possible, ongoing program to install EV charging stations at all public buildings, walk to public transit, secure/sheltered bicycle parking, transit subsidies |
Community partnerships | Earth Week (hosts activities across the service, from video presentations and workshops to community clean-ups, and more) |
Recognized as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2025):
Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Jan 20, 2025)
Here are some of the reasons why BC Public Service was selected as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2025):
- Regular full or part-time BC Public Service employees can apply for the Pacific Leaders BC Loan Forgiveness Program -- for those accepted, one-third of the BC portion of their Canada-BC student loan is forgiven after one year in the program (participants are not required to make payments during this period) and the entire BC portion of their student loan is forgiven after three years
- BC Public Service supports students interested in exploring careers in public service through its co-op program, which includes access to the online Co-op Connect Hub with helpful resources, Co-op to Career networking roundtables for exposure to different career paths, and a $1,000 tuition reimbursement for each co-op student through the Pacific Leaders Tuition Grants Program (over 1,500 current permanent employees got their start through the co-op program)
- BC Public Service also maintains an engineer and geoscientist-in-training program, guided by a comprehensive training plan that includes rotations across multiple locations and roles to help new graduates gain a thorough understanding of the ministry -- each participant is paired with a professional mentor to support their pursuit of professional engineer or geoscientist designation
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Highlights
Industry | Provincial governments |
Major Canadian locations | Kamloops BC, Surrey BC, Victoria BC, Vancouver BC, Prince George BC |
Full-time employees in Canada | 37,562 |
Student opportunities | summer jobs, co-op opportunities, paid internships |
In-house training programs | orientation program, in-house training, online training, mentoring |
Tuition subsidies (related to job) | yes |
Unique training and development opportunities | BC Parks student ranger program from May to August, Indigenous youth internship program, 12-month Work-Able internship program for recent post-secondary graduates who self-identify as having a disability, BC timber sales forest technologist entry-level program (2 years of on-the-job training and at least 2 years of full-time regular employment), technician entry-level program (full-time permanent role in the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure with an assigned supervisor and mentor), engineer-in-training and geoscientist-in-training program with mentorship and rotations across various locations, articling students are hired by the Ministry of the Attorney General a year ahead of the article start date to work with the legal services branch or the BC Prosecution Service (law society fees paid by the ministry), learning workshops for students (topics include communications, equity, diversity and inclusion, and navigating the organization) |
Additional highlights | Co-op Connect Hub (online resource for co-ops, supervisors and hiring managers), Co-op to Career networking roundtables (opportunity to meet with current government employees, learn about their experiences and ask questions about their career paths), Co-op Employee Advisory Board (provides feedback and guidance on co-op experience to the Employment Programs and Resource Office), Indigenous Forestry Scholarship Program (provides First Nations and Métis students with tuition and living scholarship, paid summer work-term experience, and support from a local Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program centre), student employee award (employee-nominated award for co-op students), student networking database (invites to monthly virtual networking opportunities) |
Vacation allowance | new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job |