In 2016, Manulife will start offering free HR support services to its group benefits clients with two to 399 employees.
Eligible employers will have access to information and advice about both talent management and industry regulations.
Currently, only employers in British Columbia and Alberta can use the service. But it will become available throughout the country in the second quarter of 2016.
The service includes one-on-one telephone support with HR advisors, online training and an online library and resource centre.
“In many cases, the [small business] owner is busy running the company and simply doesn’t have time to develop the HR expertise that is so important today,” says Philippe Toupin, vice-president of Small Business Solutions with Manulife.