NCHR e-newsletter: December, 2016
                        

AVERAGE SALARY INCREASES IN 2017 EXPECTED TO BE 2.6 – 2.8% 

Recent studies from Aon Hewitt and Mercer Canada are estimating average salary increases across Canada to be in the range of 2.6 – 2.8% for 2017.  This is fairly consistent to what we’ve seen over the past few years. 

Not surprisingly, Alberta and the oil and gas industry in particular are anticipating much lower than average increases, along with organizations in the banking, transportation and media sectors to name a few.  Industries such as automotive, consumer products and life sciences are expecting to see higher than average increases, according to the studies.

Employers are encouraged to account for these salary/wage increases in their 2017 budgets.

 
FROM THE NCHR HOTLINE – BE CAUTIOUS WHEN ADDRESSING EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ON LEAVE FROM WORK          
          
NCHR has received a number of calls recently from clients inquiring about their options for employees who are on leave from work, including potentially terminating an employee who is on Parental leave.

Depending on the situation, altering terms of employment and/or terminating an employee while they are on leave generally creates significant risk to the organization, particularly if they are on approved sick leave or Pregnancy/Parental leave, for instance.   

Even when the changes or termination are deemed necessary for reasons completely unrelated to the leave from work (ie. when a job is eliminated or becomes redundant, for instance), it could still be considered in violation of legislation.

Simply put, altering terms of employment or terminating an employee while they are on approved leave from work is not recommended unless absolutely necessary.

If your organization is facing a challenge like this, please give us a call to explore your options before you act.


EI WAITING PERIOD WILL BE REDUCED, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2017

Our friends at Green Benefits Group recently distributed an article outlining the Government’s plan to reduce the waiting period for Employment Insurance (EI) Benefits from two weeks to one week, effective January 1, 2017. 

This development could have an interesting impact on group benefits plans, and/or employer sick leave policies.

To view the article, and explore how these changes might impact your organization, click here: GBG Article

 

From our Family to Yours, we wish all our clients and friends a very Happy Holiday and New Year filled with Peace, Joy, and Prosperity. 

Happy Holidays from NCHR!

                           
Contact us for more information:  info@nchr.ca -  905-818-NCHR -  http://www.nchr.ca
 
This e-newsletter from NCHR Consulting & Recruitment Services contains important information about HR related legislative updates and other best practice suggestions and lessons learned, to help you better manage your business and employee situations. 

 NCHR e-newsletter: Eleventh Edition, 2016