The federal government has published its findings from nearly a year of consultations on federal labour standards with Canadian citizens, unions, labour organizations, employers, employer organizations and other stakeholders. “We heard one strong message throughout the consultations: the way Canadians work has changed, but federal labour standards have not,” said Patty Hajdu, minister of Employment, Workforce […]
Some 71 per cent of global employers have a defined wellness program for their employees, according to a new report by the Top Employers Institute. The survey, which queried 1,300 employers audited and certified by the institute, found North America is leading the way in wellness programs, with 80 per cent of employers offering them, up 34 percentage points […]
The vast majority (91.8 per cent) of British Columbia’s government employees were covered by a registered pension plan in 2017, compared to just 17.7 per cent of their counterparts in the province’s private sector, according to a new report by the Fraser Institute. Among those covered by a registered pension, 94 per cent of government […]
Unifor members employed by three Ontario casinos have voted to ratify new three-year contracts that include improvements to their pension plans. Unifor members from Local 1090 at Casino Ajax and Great Blue Heron Casino, as well as Local 504 at Elements Casino Brantford, voted to accept a tentative agreement, which includes a one per cent increase […]
A Quebec-based not-for-profit organization is suggesting a series of public policy proposals to encourage fathers in the province to take more parental leave and prompt employers to focus more on work-life balance. The Regroupement pour la valorisation de la paternité has identified five specific challenges faced by fathers. In the case of parental leave, it noted that fathers in […]
Expanded leave of absence entitlements in British Columbia, including parental and compassionate leave, took effect at the end of May. The changes to the province’s Employment Standards Act allow mothers to start their maternity leave as early as 13 weeks before their expected due date, which is up from the previous 11 weeks. The province also […]
SurveyMonkey Inc. is introducing health benefits, improved time-off policies and transportation subsidies for its contract employees and those who work with the company through third-party commercial services. Working with California-based i2i Benefits and Insurance Services, the company developed a benefits framework for its on-site contract workers and vendor partners, including its janitorial and food service providers. The company […]
The Alberta government is bringing excessive salaries for the province’s post-secondary presidents in line with the national average, eliminating perks and setting guidelines for health and retirement benefits under a new compensation framework. Coming in April 15, this is the latest step in the government’s agencies, boards and commissions review, which is aiming to save the government about $33 million […]
Forty-two per cent of Canadian employers are anticipating an increase in medical leaves related to mental-health concerns and illnesses, according to a report by the Conference Board of Canada. The report, which surveyed 205 Canadian employers, found respondents are also expecting an increase in leaves related to cancer (15 per cent), musculoskeletal issues and injuries (13 per cent), […]
New legislation mandating equal pay for equal work will take effect in Ontario on April 1. Under the rules, casual, part-time, temporary and seasonal employees can’t be paid at a rate of pay less than full-time or permanent employees if they do substantially the same kind of work, in the same establishment; their work requires substantially […]