Foundational or ‘workplace literacy’ skills — including communication, problem solving and digital competency — are becoming essential as employers struggle to find candidates who meet current labour market needs, says Alison Howard, executive director of ABC Life Literacy Canada. “Nearly half of working-age Canadians struggle with low literacy, and that is a major barrier to […]
The Royal Bank of Canada is appointing Rosemary Hatnay as vice-president of total rewards delivery. She previously worked at Scotiabank, where she held a series of roles including, most recently, vice-president of global payroll and total rewards solutions. Prior to that, she was Scotiabank’s vice-president of global total rewards solutions and operational effectiveness and director […]
When CSA Group rolled out its global wellness incentive program in April, it was aiming to see whether cash rewards could kick start healthier habits and keep employees motivated. “We noticed a significant uptick in participation whenever we ran global step challenges with prizes,” says Aaron Snaith, director of total rewards at CSA Group. “That […]
Almost half of global organizations say employee productivity would increase by at least 10 per cent if their performance management process was optimized, according to a new survey by WTW. The survey, which polled nearly 500 employers, found while their employees expect clear goals and priorities, regular feedback, fair ratings and strong ties to rewards, […]
In a year marked by an ongoing trade war and threats of tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump and against a backdrop of rising costs, Canadian employers are reconsidering their total rewards and talent management strategies. “A lot more attention is being paid to total rewards, such as how we’re paying people,” says compensation and […]
The Human Resources Professionals Association’s vice-president of human experience and innovation shares insights on building future-ready teams, reimagining total rewards and creating meaningful cultural rituals. Q: What new programs or initiatives are you looking to implement? A: We’re doubling down on two key areas that reflect where the world of work is heading. First, we’re […]
Canadian employers are projecting a 3.11 per cent increase in average base salaries for non-unionized workers in Canada for 2026, reflecting a continued slowdown in wage growth since 2023, according to a new report from Telus Health. The report, based on data from more than 375 Canadian organizations across various industries, found by province, Manitoba […]
U.S. employer health-care costs are projected to climb 9.5 per cent in 2026, pushing average plan costs above US$17,000 per employee, according to a new report by Aon. The report draws on the firm’s health value initiative database, which tracks plan costs and designs for more than 1,000 employers covering 7.7 million employees and US$120 […]
Nearly 70 per cent of Canadian employers expect economic factors will have a moderate to significant impact on their compensation decisions in 2026, according to Mercer’s latest compensation planning survey. The survey, which polled more than 500 Canadian companies in July, found employers are focusing on salary benchmarking (63 per cent) and communications of total […]
The workplace has evolved considerably in the last decade and compensation alone no longer defines how employees measure their experience. While salary remains important, it’s only one part of a much broader picture. Professionals today are seeking a more holistic value proposition —one that reflects their individual needs, promotes shared purpose and aligns with their […]