Benefits & Lifestyle

Employee Benefits 

Employees at Red Deer Polytechnic are supported through a wide variety of benefits and opportunities, including a comprehensive benefits package for our employees.

The details of these opportunities will depend on the bargaining unit affiliation. Review the applicable Collective Agreements to learn more.

Collective Agreements

Extended Health and Dental Care

We partner with Alberta Blue Cross to offer competitive and cost-shared coverage, starting right away for eligible employees

  • Extended Health and Dental Care, including vision, prescriptions, and paramedical services

  • Health Spending Account to help cover extra costs.

  • Emergency Medical Travel Insurance for peace of mind on the go.

We also provide Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage to protect you and your loved ones.

Health Spending Account

This account complements your extended health and dental plan by assisting in meeting your unique health care needs with greater choice and flexibility, and by helping you pay for a wide range of health-related costs not covered by your plan.

Pension Plan

RDP offers a defined benefit pension through LAPP for eligible employees. We will match the employees’ contribution and contribute an additional 1% after 12 months of employment.

If you’ve already participated in other public pension plans, transferability agreements may exist.

Employee Assistance Plan

Personal Support, Whenever You Need It

Your well-being matters. That’s why we offer free, confidential support through TELUS Health’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), available to you and your family members.

Whether you’re navigating life changes, facing personal challenges, or just need someone to talk to, TELUS Health is here for you. Their team can help with:

  • Counselling for stress, anxiety, depression, and substance use

  • Financial and legal advice

  • Family support through childcare and elder care resources

  • Guidance through life transitions like career changes, grief, or retirement planning

Help is available 24/7, whenever life feels overwhelming.

Lifestyle Balance

RDP offers generous vacation & vacation pay entitlement for employees.

The Polytechnic is also closed between Christmas and New Year’s Day, providing time off for employees to recharge and enjoy time with family and friends.

Wellness
Throughout the year, Red Deer Polytechnic organizes many wellness activities and events to maintain and improve the happiness and quality of life for our employees. Discounted membership to the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre is available to Polytechnic staff.
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Child Care
RDP has a licensed and accredited Child Care Centre and Kindergarten program on campus for children between 2.5 and 6 years of age.
More Information
Casual Illness and Leaves
Eligible employees are offered up to 20 days of casual illness time. This benefit can extend to caring for family members who require support if they are unwell. Short- and Long-Term Disability Leaves are also available to full-time employees
View Benefits
Wellness
Throughout the year, Red Deer Polytechnic organizes many wellness activities and events to maintain and improve the happiness and quality of life for our employees. Discounted membership to the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre is available to Polytechnic staff.
Read More
Child Care
RDP has a licensed and accredited Child Care Centre and Kindergarten program on campus for children between 2.5 and 6 years of age.
More Information
Casual Illness and Leaves
Eligible employees are offered up to 20 days of casual illness time. This benefit can extend to caring for family members who require support if they are unwell. Short- and Long-Term Disability Leaves are also available to full-time employees
View Benefits
students presenting Justice Studies

Growth & Development

Tuition Waiver Courses

Eligible staff and faculty, as well as members of their families, can pursue learning opportunities through a credit for one three-credit course per term.

Professional Development

Funding is available for study, research, workshops or conferences to enhance your professional or teaching capabilities.

Campus-wide Training

The People & Culture team also offer a variety of training to the entire RDP community throughout the year.

Recognition

Our employee recognition program includes the Awards of Excellence and Service Milestone recognition.

Living in Red Deer and Central Alberta

Red Deer and central Alberta provides a vibrant place to live, raise a family, work and play. With a population of ~100,000, Red Deer offers the amenities of Canada’s larger cities without some of the challenges. 

As you consider RDP for your next career move, here are some highlights:

  • Central Alberta has growing communities with great schools, well-equipped hospitals and health centres, and a variety of community groups and associations.
  • The region has a lower cost of living than other major cities in Alberta and across Canada, and commutes to work may be as short as five to fifteen minutes.
  • There is a vibrant arts and cultural scene, along with community-oriented events and attractions. You will have plenty of places to explore, from local restaurants and markets to historic attractions and museums, to vast walking trails and ski hills.
  • From Red Deer, it is only a short, two-hour drive to the beautiful Rocky Mountains.
  • The city is also situated between Edmonton and Calgary, with only a 1.5-hour drive to either.

Explore these resources to learn more: 

We understand that moving yourself and your family is a big decision. RDP may reimburse new employees who have been offered permanent employment for reasonable moving expenses they incurred, to assist in reducing the financial impact of relocating.

  • Reimbursement of relocation expenses must be discussed before an individual accepts an offer of employment and is offered per the Polytechnic’s policy. The employment contract will indicate an employee’s eligibility for reimbursement.