With the coronavirus continuing to affect businesses across North America, employers are eyeing a number of cost-containment strategies, including hiring freezes, wage freezes and delayed pay raises, according to a new survey by Willis Towers Watson. The survey, which polled more than 800 companies during the third week of March, found 42 per cent of […]
Whole Foods Market Inc. employees called in sick on Tuesday to demand paid leave for all workers who stay home to self-quarantine during the coronavirus. The U.S.-based employees are also asking for free coronavirus testing for all workers, as well as hazard pay of double the current hourly wage for employees who show up to […]
The federal government is introducing a 75 per cent wage subsidy for companies of any size, charities and non-profits that have seen at least a 30 per cent drop in revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy applies to the first $58,700 of an employee’s earnings, up to $847 per week. The goal of […]
La Presse is reducing all of its employees’ salaries by 10 per cent and temporarily lowering the employer’s contribution to the defined contribution pension plan. In a press release, the Quebec-based digital newspaper said this translates to an average 14 per cent pay cut for all employees, including its unionized workforce. “This extraordinary situation is […]
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 […]
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 […]
As holiday bills come due, resolutions to save more are forgotten and Blue Monday — touted as the most depressing day of the year — arrives, new research has found financial wellness among working Canadians is about more than just the size of their paycheque. The survey, by the Canadian Payroll Association and the Western-Laurier […]
Men and women will have pay equality in 257 years, according to a new report by the World Economic Forum. The estimate is 55 more years than the estimates from past reports. This year’s report found a two per cent increase in the number of women in senior roles, but noted that women’s participation in the […]
Canadian employers plan to hold the line on budgeted pay raises in 2020, according to a new survey by Willis Towers Watson. It found employers are expecting no changes to their salary budgets in 2020, with salary increases projected to hold steady for technical and business support employees (2.7 per cent), as well as for workers in production […]
Canadian employers are expecting to increase base salaries by an average of 2.7 per cent in 2020, according to a new survey by Morneau Shepell Ltd. This is up from an average realized 2.6 per cent increase in 2019. The 2020 forecast includes increases in salary structure, length of service, cost of living and merit pay, but excludes salary freezes and […]