Arina Kharlamova was cradling her two-month-old daughter when an email popped into her inbox that disrupted the calm of her maternity leave. The message invited the Whitby, Ont., woman to a meeting where she was told she was part of a layoff affecting 30 per cent of the staff at the company she worked for. […]
Sadie Janes, an associate editor at Benefits Canada, has won the top prize in the DEI Reporting category at the National Magazine Awards: B2B. The winning piece appeared in the June 2024 issue of the magazine. If you missed it, read it here: A look at what’s next for inclusive employee benefits Benefits Canada was […]
An article on the Association of Canadian Pension Management’s call for modernized pension legislation in Alberta was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. ACPM urging Alberta government to align pension funding, administration rules with other provinces […]
The Saskatchewan government has passed several amendments to the provincial Employment Act that will impact employers’ leave policies. The amendments include the creation of a new 16-week unpaid interpersonal violence leave in addition to the existing 10-day leave, of which five are paid and five are unpaid. Employers will also no longer be able to […]
More than 8,300 workers will have lost their job and some benefits by the time Hudson’s Bay Co. closes all of its stores at the start of June, new court documents filed by the collapsing retailer say. The cut will span the majority of the 9,364 workers at Canada’s oldest company and form one of […]
While pay transparency requirements differ across Canada, there are several best practices for employers to ensure equity in the workplace, says Caitlin Hurren, legal counsel at ADP Canada. Provincial pay transparency legislation is gradually being enacted across the country. On Jan. 1, 2026, Ontario-based employers will be required to include total compensation — including base […]
An article that examined an Ontario court’s ruling on an employer’s termination clause was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. Ontario court rules employer’s termination clause enforceable due to clear language, entitlements 2. DEI pullback could […]
A recent Ontario Superior Court decision demonstrates that it remains possible for employers to insert enforceable termination clauses in employment contracts. For some five years now, a host of decisions have struck down as unenforceable termination clauses that purport to displace employees’ right to reasonable notice or pay in lieu thereof. Almost always, the basis […]
Over the past decade, diversity, equity and inclusion efforts have helped expose the prevalence of workplace bullying. But, as some organizations pull back on DEI due to backlash or budget cuts, it may signal to staff that addressing bullying is no longer a priority. This could lead to reduced awareness and training on respectful workplaces, […]
As remote and hybrid work becomes commonplace, Canadian employers may be unknowingly putting themselves at risk by overlooking key compliance obligations, says Natalka Haras, senior counsel at ADP Canada. “Although there are certain employers for which remote work is not new as an idea, certainly with technology, it’s easier than it’s ever been [and] I […]