I came across this page of resources intended for small businesses and thought it may be of interest.  If you want to know your responsibilities as a small business employer read on…

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), small business employers have many of the same duties as any other employer, including the following:

• to do everything they reasonably can to protect their workers in each situation
• to inform, instruct and supervise workers to protect their health and safety
• to make sure that every worker and supervisor takes the required training, including basic occupational health and safety awareness training, and keep records of that training

READ MORE

Although many clients have seen better than average rate increases in the past year (many with no change or even small reductions), the coming year looks be just the opposite.  I have put together a document that indicates what will likely happen in the coming year.  If you are receiving pressure from employees to enhance benefits, this may be a good page to share with them to show what lies ahead, and how your benefit costs may be increasing at a faster than normal rate.  it is also a good reminder for them to watch for and avoid fraud schemes

Each clients plan design, staff age, and turnover, as well as individual claims will be what sets your actual rates in the coming year.  The areas we’ve identified are just a few factors affecting rate increases that are beyond the control of you, the insurers, your employees(and except for fraud) or ourselves.

Employer Update 2020

I have had Liz Scott from Organizational Solutions speak at several of my broker education events.  She is interesting and has as varied an education as she does experience.  Now you can hear her direct to learn more about the WSIB changes affecting your firm.

Experts in Workers’ Compensation Claims Management will be sharing what the changes mean for employers and answering any questions on the big changes coming soon.

If your firm is required to carry (mandatory) WSIB coverage, then you’ll want to know more (and connect to a valuable resource).

REGISTER HERE

I know that not all my clients have to have WSIB coverage, but thought I’d share this recent article that I received.

Great news for business owners in Ontario: The WSIB will cut 2020 premiums by an average of 17%! This means that $607-million can stay in the province’s businesses, instead of going to the government….

How do I find out my new rate group?

Please keep an eye on your mailbox! The WSIB sent information to every business that pays WSIB premiums. Each customized statement includes your new rate class, your 2020 rate, your projected rate, and details on the WSIB’s transition approach.

READ MORE

There are a number of surveys that come out near the fall/end of year, to estimate salary trends.  This is just one, but gives an indicator of where things are going…

Employers in Canada are expecting base salaries to rise by an average of 2.7 per cent in 2020, says Morneau Shepell’s 2020 ‘Salary Projection Survey.’ This is an increase from the actual 2.6 per cent average increase in 2019. The forecast includes increases in salary structure, length of service, cost of living and merit pay, and excludes salary freezes and promotional adjustments. The expected 2.7 per cent increase is higher than the projected rate of inflation for the year. In July, the Bank of Canada noted that consumer price index inflation is expected to rise to about two per cent by the end of 2020. When looking at economic growth, the Bank of Canada projects the Canadian economy will grow by just 1.4 per cent in 2019. “While the Canadian economy is projected to see slowed growth in the coming year, we’re expecting to see continued wage increases as a result of the tightening labour market,” says Anand Parsan, vice-president, compensation consulting practice. “Employers are optimistic about the anticipated growth in 2020. We have seen a steady rise in projected base salary increases over the past few years, with actual numbers equal to or above our forecast since 2017.”

http://bpmmagazine.com/news/