The federal government will provide a $2,000-per-month taxable benefit for up to four months for Canadians who have been financially impacted by the coronavirus. The Canada Emergency Response Benefit, an amalgamation of two previously announced benefits, will be available to workers who’ve lost their jobs, are sick or quarantined and are taking care of someone […]
As employers across the globe adjust their work environments to help slow down the spread of the coronavirus, one thing that shouldn’t get lost in the fray is a focus on supporting employees’ mental health. Employees are facing a myriad of stressors right now, including financial worries about the effects of the volatile market on […]
The British Columbia government says it will be deferring employer health tax payments until September 30. The measure, introduced on Monday, is for employers with a payroll over $500,000 since businesses with a payroll under this threshold are already exempt from the tax. The provincial government is also providing a tax-free $1,000 payment to people […]
While many retailers are maintaining pay and benefits for their store-based staff amid temporary closures caused by the coronavirus crisis, what about employees who are still coming into work and serving the public? Loblaw Companies Ltd. is stepping up. Following discussions with the United Food and Commercial Workers union, it’s adding $2 to the hourly […]
Nav Canada’s air navigation specialists are receiving a new end-of-career leave program and a three per cent wage increase in their new collective agreement. The workers, represented by Unifor Local 1016, voted 97 per cent in favour of ratifying the agreement. The wage increases on salaries and premiums are retroactive to July 1, 2019. The end-of-career […]
Employees are mostly satisfied with employers’ communications around the coronavirus crisis, according to a new survey by Fierce Inc. The survey polled more than 1,000 people last week, prior to the World Health Organization declaring the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. It found nearly 70 per cent felt their employer was very or somewhat clearly communicating […]
IBM Canada Ltd.’s director of HR talks data and analytics, holistic employee health and playing the piano Q. What top challenges do you face in your role? A. I want to help employees understand and fully leverage all of our benefits offerings. IBM provides competitive retirement saving vehicles and financial management tools, but I always […]
The Supreme Court of Canada will hear an appeal on a Manitoba court case that could have implications for employers dealing with a human rights issue in a unionized workforce. The resulting decision could settle whether labour arbitrators or human rights tribunals have jurisdiction over human rights issues in unionized workforces in certain provinces. The case concerns a […]
Starbucks Coffee Co. is offering eligible employees in the U.S. access to 20 free mental-health sessions per year beginning April 6. Through provider Lyra Health Inc., employees will be able to meet with a therapist or coach in-person or via video. They’ll also be able to access self-guided online programs recommended by the provider based […]
All Canadian employers should assume at least one employee will test positive for the coronavirus, said Dr. Wendy Smeltzer, medical director at virtual health-care company Wello, during a webinar this week. “We all have to brace for this new normal and we all have to brace for the moment when every [business] will have at […]