The mean merit pay increase delivered to Canadian employees in March 2026 was three per cent, with average total increases (measuring all types of pay increases, including zeros) reaching 3.3 per cent, according to a new survey by Mercer. The survey, which polled more than 270 Canadian employers, found the results aligned with projections made in October […]
Canada’s labour market is under growing pressure and as employers move quickly to reduce costs, missteps in managing layoffs or employee relations can possibly lead to legal and financial consequences, says Paul Pulver, a labour and employment lawyer at Littler LLP. Across Canada, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for people to deal with some of the […]
In an increasingly automated world, the adoption of artificial intelligence adoption is rapidly reshaping the types and number of roles that organizations seek. AI is becoming more embedded in business operations, and companies are rethinking how work is structured, how talent is identified and how emerging capabilities are recognized and rewarded. These changes are transforming […]
Nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) of Canadian job seekers expect it will be difficult to find a job in the next six months, a significant increase from the same time last year (62 per cent), according to a new survey by the Harris Poll on behalf of Express Services Inc. The survey, which polled more […]
Communication is critical to show employees the true value of total rewards beyond pay, according to Aastha Juneja, head of compensation and benefits at Corus Entertainment, speaking during a panel discussion at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Future of Work Summit. “We often think of ourselves as a number in the stream of people, but communication is […]
The world of work is shifting at an unprecedented pace. Advancements in technology, evolving regulatory requirements, and rising employee expectations are transforming the way organizations design and deliver total rewards. At the same time, total rewards teams are expected to navigate these increasing complexities with fewer resources and tighter budgets. The challenge ahead will be […]
Only a quarter of global employees felt appreciated at work in 2025, according to a new report from the Achievers Workforce Institute. The survey, which polled roughly 2,500 employees and 1,500 human resources professionals across eight countries, found only 25 per cent of workers saw a long career with their employer and 34 per cent […]
Economic headwinds, cost pressures and shifting employee expectations are forcing organizations to rethink performance compensation. Traditional pay-for-performance models, built for more predictable business cycles, are showing signs of strain. Many leaders are now asking a difficult but necessary question: are salary increases and incentive awards still tied to performance, or have they evolved into entitlements? […]
While emerging forms of artificial intelligence such as agentic AI may hold promises and challenges for pension plan sponsors, the human touch remains important when advising plan members on financial decisions, said Francis Boulianne, principal in Normandin Beaudry’s group benefits practice, during a recent webinar hosted by the consultancy. “[Chatbots] were never intended to replace […]
Canadian employees’ average level of workplace happiness reached 6.9 points out of 10 in October, up 0.3 points from the same month last year, according to a new survey by ADP Canada. It found 70 per cent of workers said fun and social moments at work play a meaningful role in their overall happiness. Nearly […]