In what amounts to a major procedural overhaul, British Columbia has introduced legislation aimed at modernizing the way its Employment Standards Branch handles workplace complaints from non-unionized employees and temporary foreign workers. “Although the government’s press release does not mention this, my understanding is that these amendments come in response to a significant backlog at […]
The federal government is launching consultations on ways to improve labour relations to support Canada’s economy and communities. Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu is looking for feedback from employers, unions and employee groups on collective bargaining timelines, training and supports for workers affected by artificial intelligence and updates to workplace health and safety protections. She is also seeking […]
More than four in five (81 per cent) public sector employees had access to medical or dental benefits in 2024, compared to around two-thirds (62 per cent) of private sector workers, according to Statistics Canada. Access to paid vacation leave followed a similar pattern, with more than four in five (82 per cent) public sector […]
Over the past year, union negotiations have ramped up and wage settlements have reached new heights, mainly due to the fact that negotiations were set back by the coronavirus pandemic and the inflation that followed, says Douglas Porter, chief economist and managing director at BMO Financial Group. “Like night follows day, labour unrest and strike […]
When Finland introduced changes to its parental leave policy in 2022, it was specifically aimed at encouraging fathers to take as much time off work as mothers and recognizing a wider range of family structures. The changes apply to parents with children born after Sept. 4, 2022, and give both birth and non-birth parents 160 […]
A third (32 per cent) of Canadian employers say mandatory minimum wage hikes result in increased wages across the entire company, according to a new survey by the Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals. The survey, which polled more than 500 hiring decision-makers and more than 500 employees, found the main driver for […]
The federal minimum wage is rising to $17.30 per hour, effective April 1. The increase from $16.65 reflects the increase in the annual average consumer price index for 2023. Roughly 30,000 employees in the federally regulated private sector are expected to benefit from the increase, according to a press release, which also noted employers are […]
More than 300 employees of Windsor, Ont.’s Jamieson Laboratories Ltd. are ending their 34-day strike after securing a new contract agreement that includes significant wage increases and benefits enhancements. On March 5, members of Unifor Local 195 voted to ratify a four-year collective agreement — effective Feb. 1, 2024 to Jan. 31, 2028 — that […]
This leap year, some financial experts say they’re seeing an unexpected trend: employees asking if they get paid for working on Feb. 29. Every four years, the calendar gains a day to sync up with the Earth’s movement around the sun. Yet inquiries about what it means for paycheques hasn’t previously been noticeable. “This is […]
An article detailing Ford of Canada’s transfer of $923 million in pension plan liabilities through a group annuity buyout was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the past week. 1. Ford Canada transferring $923 million in pension liabilities via group annuity buyout 2. AIMCo highlighting importance […]