Payroll Management Blog

In a move sure to please business owners and employers, Doug Ford has vowed to “scrap” Bill 148. As reported previously in the Pivotal HR Blog (“Struggling with new guidelines?”), Payroll and HR Managers, business owners and stakeholders were asking the government to put the brakes on the plan due […]

Nationally, the majority of employees report being in a better position this year, versus a year ago — according to a new survey from the Canadian Payroll Association. Although slightly less than half report living “pay cheque to pay cheque” — largely due to increases in debt and expenses — […]

Employers remain confident compensation will average an increase of 2.6 per cent in 2019, in line with the expected rate of inflation of 2.5 per cent. Ontario and Quebec expect increases of 2.6 per cent and 2.5 per cent; with the highest increase expected in British Columbia and Alberta, at […]

Significant changes to Employment Standards and Public Holiday came into force January 1, 2018, under Bill 148, with additional modifications phased in from July 1, 2018. Some Payroll Managers and their Payroll Management Services may not be aware of all the changes — or could benefit from a “one-page guide” […]

Although there are no numbers for Canada, in the United States the IRS estimates that one out of every three employers has been penalized for payroll mistakes. In Canada, the statistics are probably similar. It’s difficult enough to keep up with the changes in rules and laws, let alone your […]

The Federal Government extended EI benefits by up to five weeks in areas of Canada with a strong need for seasonal workers. The pilot program, budgeted at $189 million, will help up to 51,500 seasonal workers in parts of Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and Yukon. Companies employing seasonal workers in the […]

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) expansion remains controversial with business leaders, especially small business. Under Federal Legislation Bill C-74, which took effect June 21, 2018, the first of several CPP increases is set for January 1, 2019. The plan, from the Federal Government, forces higher contributions — with more money to […]

No matter how proficient and experienced your payroll staff are, there is no denying that the payroll function can be stressful and daunting during peak periods such as year-end and strike fear and trembling into the calmest of people when things go wrong. What causes payroll panic, and how can […]

  The pace of change in the Canadian workplace is astounding. A few decades ago most payroll professionals worked in organizations whose employees lived in only one country, often one province. Most families had a single breadwinner who worked full-time and expected to retire from the same job. Many people […]