Description: Youths are turned off by unions. Despite the fact that young people receive low wages with little or no benefits, they seems less interested in promoting unions. Source: CBC Date: Oct. 09, 2013 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2411422768/?page=2 Questions for Discussion: What are some of the reasons why today’s youth are not interested in unions? How… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Compensation & Benefits
Minimum wage workers protest in the U.S.
Description: A large number of fast food restaurant workers across U.S. are protesting for higher minimum wages. Currently the minimum wage in the U.S. is $7.25/hr. Workers are demanding that minimum wage be raised to around $15/hr. There are arguments both in favour and against such a move. Source: CBC Date: Sept. 5, 2013 Video… Read more »
Employee turnover likely at Blackberry
Description: With the phasing out of retention bonuses and poor quarter results, several Blackberry executives are likely to leave. Last year Blackberry axed nearly 5000 employees; with low sales of its new Z10 phone, the company is expected to terminate more jobs. Source: Bloomberg Date: July 12 2013 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-12/blackberry-said-to-prepare-for-departures-as-goals-set.html Questions for Discussion: Will it… Read more »
Canadian CEOs among top bank earners
Description: The top earning banker earns nearly $26 million. CEOs of several Canadian banks are ranked among the top bank earners in North America with salaries ranging between $7 million to $15 million. Source: CBC Date: May 29 2013 Video link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2388467779/ Questions for Discussion: Do you agree that no one except shareholders have a… Read more »
RBC criticized for layoffs and outsourcing jobs
Description: RBC’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Zabeen Hirji, responds to allegations of outsourcing jobs to overseas workers. Source: CBC Date: April 07 2013 Video link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2373110556/ Questions for Discussion: What were the justifications given by Zabeen Hirji for layoffs and for hiring temporary overseas workers? Do you agree with her explanations? Do companies need to… Read more »
Besides money, what else motivates workers?
Description: Nadia Goodman mentions three additional things that can motivate workers just as much as money. Money alone is not sufficient to motivate workers and in some cases when not used properly, monetary rewards can also demotivate workers. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: November 29 2012 Text: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-managing/human-resources/three-things-that-motivate-workers-just-as-much-as-money/article5767029/ Questions for Discussion: Do you… Read more »
Air Canada Strike
Description: Labour Minister Lisa Raitt addresses media on the government’s action to prevent the Air Canada strike. Also, the Air Canada workers in Montreal discuss how their rights are being impeded. Source: The Globe and Mail Video Date: March 12, 2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/video/video-air-canada-workers-rally/article2367215/ Questions for Discussion: Do you think the government is right to stop… Read more »
Hiring practices among immigrant population in Canada
The labor productivity of Canada (production per hour of work) is much lower than the other industrialized countries. It has increased an average of 0.5% since 2005 compared to an average of 2.1% in U.S. Unemployment rate among Canadians born in Canada is 7.5% compared to 15.8% for Immigrant population who is in Canada for… Read more »
It Is Not About the Pay — Or Is It?
Pay is the cornerstone of the employment contract. It is difficult to find any worker that is not concerned about their pay to some degree. The first article reports a study conducted by Statistics Canada revealing that black Canadians earn less than white Canadians on average. Although no specific study is cited, in the second… Read more »
Coaching salaries
SUMMARY: Urban Meyer, head football coach at the University of Florida, recently received a contract extension that will pay him $4 million per year. The coach of the current NCAA national champions will become the first coach at a Southeastern Conference school to earn that amount. The new contract extension highlights just how competitive the… Read more »
