Day 1 of the new job
Well, my first day at my new job went great. I love the energy and the people there. Everybody is really friendly and they really care about what they do. It’s also quite an innovative company and my role is going to be shaped around my strengths and what direction I want to take it. So there is plenty of opportunity for growth. It’s just a completely different vibe than my past job. They embrace change, they’re looking for fresh, new ideas, and *gasp* they’re actually training me on the industry. Somebody like my old coworker would never fit into such a passionate and vibrant environment. So far, I’m really happy.
The commute is a bit of a bitch. I had to get up at 5:30am and it took me 60 min. to get there, and 75 min. to get back. I cannot wait until we move offices in the fall, which will cut my commute down by 40%. But until then, I’ll just suck it up. :)
Oh, and the benefits package? It’s amazing and very comparable to the Provincial Government employee benefits program. The only downside is they don’t top up on maternity leave benefits (for my US friends, that means if I get pregnant, I am entitled to 52 weeks of time off work on EI salary – instead of 52 weeks of full salary), and they don’t have an RRSP match program.
I’m excited for day 2!
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congrats on the job! it sounds like a great place to work. :)
all in all the new job sounds great.
sometimes change is good.
Great to hear you like it! Change – imagine people embracing that :)
Actually you would be VERY hard pressed to find a company that tops up for the full 52 weeks. I've never heard of that. Companies actually only top up for 5 or 6 months, with the remainder of the time, just EI benefits. The stickler to that is, you HAVE to go back to work for at least 6 months.
I agree. In fact, I think the only places that do top up for 52 weeks is government. I've worked both provincial and municipal government, and the top up is to 95%, if not 100%. Unless they've changed it in the last few years…
93%, I believe. At ours (the feds) is.
At least you guys get SOMETHING in Canada if you get pregnant – health insurance and a steady source of income. We get nothing here in the US. I work for a small company so I'm not even entitled to UNPAID leave under federal laws (we have less than 50 employees). Some states provide unemployment insurance to their citizens, so if you do get pregnant, you have something to rely on. Not my facist state. *sigh* Enough bitching. Congrats on the new job. It seems like getting laid off was a blessing in disguise for you!
Wait….52 weeks of maternity leave?! WOW….that's unbelievable. I don't think we get any at my current job….which is sad.
I'm so happy for you!! I was wondering yesterday how your first day was going!!! Sounds like losing your last job turned out to be a good thing!! YAY!
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Wait….52 weeks of maternity leave?! WOW….that's unbelievable. I don't think we get any at my current job….which is sad.
I'm so happy for you!! I was wondering yesterday how your first day was going!!! Sounds like losing your last job turned out to be a good thing!! YAY!
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Well, 52 weeks off for maternity leave is mandatory for everybody in the country. It's just you usually only get maternity EI benefits (which is *I think* the same amount as unemployment benefits – around $900 bi-weekly for the full year you're off). Some companies top up that $900 week so that you're actually earning your full salary for the entire year, but that is super super super rare.
Krystal, the amount of maternity benefits a person gets is the same as unemployment benefits, and the amount is a percentage (in Ontario it's 55%) of your average income in the six months previous to your maternity leave starting. It's not just mothers who can take advantage of this, fathers can also get time off and receive the benefits, based on his income. The 52 weeks we get in Canada can be divided between the two parents in anyway the new parents decide to do it.
That sounds fabulous Krystal. The new work environment sounds really great.
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And if you posters from the US want to be really envious, the father can share the leave. You could each take 26 weeks, etc.
Chickinvic
Its crazy how things happen eh.. how disappointment with one job can lead to such great things at a new job. Sounds like this place is a way better fit for you- especially with room to grow.. that is always important!
Are you commuting in by driving yourself or taking public transit? It definitely would be harder if you had to drive because you have to focus on driving. I commute via public transit and I love it.. I don't have to worry about the driving and can do other things on the way. Its like "me" time :)
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We get unpaid maternity leave….and I think it's 8 weeks at that. Wow, I'm moving to Canada.
Great news! First days are good.
K, I am wondering how you would have survived extended unemployment with only $3400 in cash. Wouldn't you need to cash some of your retirement out?
No because I was receiving unemployment benefits which equal to $900 bi-weekly – more than enough for me to live on. So I definitely would not have to had cashed out my retirement.
No because I was receiving unemployment benefits which equal to $900 bi-weekly – more than enough for me to live on. So I definitely would not have to had cashed out my retirement.
Wow you are complaining because you only get 52 weeks off at a lower rate of pay compared to full pay? ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING!!!! You don't get 52 weeks off here, paid or unpaid. You are lucky to even get 8 weeks off unpaid. I can't believe you are crying over such an amazing benefit.
You have to understand that in Canada, 52 weeks of maternity leave benefits is a mandatory right. That is the minimum given to employees. I understand that in the USA it's different. I'm not "crying" over it because I do know in Canada we're very lucky to be given a year off with at least some form of compensation. I was just *hoping* that the next long-term job I took would give some top up so that I could receive more than minimum maternity leave pay. But as far as I know, the only places that do that is the government (provincial, municipal and federal).
You have to understand that in Canada, 52 weeks of maternity leave benefits is a mandatory right. That is the minimum given to employees. I understand that in the USA it's different. I'm not “crying” over it because I do know in Canada we're very lucky to be given a year off with at least some form of compensation. I was just *hoping* that the next long-term job I took would give some top up so that I could receive more than minimum maternity leave pay. But as far as I know, the only places that do that is the government (provincial, municipal and federal).
Congrats on the new job! WRT our maternity benefits, we in Canada are very lucky. I work for the government and get a 9 week top up. So, EI plus the difference to make up my regular salary. From weeks 10 to 52 I get 'only' the regular EI payment.
Also, teachers get topped up too (if you consider them different from government). Each school district has it's own set of benefits but in general their top up is around 17 weeks.
It would be interesting if you did a post on your benefits.
Hey, congrats on the new job!
Did you check to see if the posting for the old job was up? HAH HAH lewsers…