Wexler & Associates launches website
Wexler & Associates—a Montreal firm specializing in the recruiting of executives and senior managers in retail, finance, industry, technology and professional services—has just launched its website. Online as of January 26, the platform presents the activities of the company, founded in October 2010 by Corey Wexler, former director of the Montreal office of recruiting firm Korn/Ferry International. The site also has a job postings section.
JobWings Careers acquires Aerojobs.ca
The job board network, jobWings Careers, has recently acquired the job board Aerojobs.ca that specializes in aerospace, aeronautics and aviation. Created in 2007, Aerojobs.ca was part of Workopolis NicheNetwork since 2009. From now on, it will be redirected to the jobWings Careers job board Aeronautical.ca, and will see a doubling of the number of visits to the site.
Generation X and boomers share the same vision of retirement
According to the latest Harris/Decima survey on behalf of Investors Group, 62% of gen Xers (between the ages of 30 and 44) and 60% of boomers expect to have to fund their own retirement. Half (51%) of Gen Xers, like their elders, expect to pay for their own medical care, vs. 56% of boomers. While 20% of respondents were undecided about investments, 61% of gen Xers and 60% of boomers said they have RRSPs. A similar proportion of Gen Xers and boomers also said they had opened tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs) (39% and 43% respectively). And about four in 10 respondents in both groups said they would retire gradually by working fewer hours.
Canadian SMEs weathered crisis better than large firms
In early January, an RBC Economics Research report undermined the general belief that smaller companies are more fragile in times of crisis. The report says that SMEs with fewer than 300 employees resisted better because their market is more domestic than foreign. Large companies, on the other hand, are more exposed because of their trade with the U.S. Accordingly, more jobs were lost in large firms (5.5%) than in small ones (4.2%).
15% of French employees talk about their employer on Facebook
15% of French employees talk about their employer on social networking sites, but not necessarily in a bad way, says Observatoire Hopscotch-Viavoice’s salaries and social media study. Published in January 2011, the study reveals that 67% of those polled talk about their employer positively and only 21% are critical. The poll also indicated that younger employees tend to speak out on these sites — 26.4% of 18–24-year-olds vs. 5.6% for those over 50. The activity is more popular with men (18.9%) who have a managerial profile (21.1%). And while public sector employees are more discreet about posting comments on their company, 13.3% do so, vs. 16.6% in the private sector.
Possibly a new public holiday for employees in British Columbia
If Christy Clark is elected leader of the B.C. Liberal Party, employees in that province will enjoy an extra statutory holiday: Family Day, on the third Monday of February. It would provide a welcome mid-winter break to the 111 straight days of work between Christmas and Easter this year. The former Deputy Premier would be following in the footsteps of Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Prince Edward Island, which already have a similar holiday.
BMO poll: More money for employee training in 2011
According to a BMO survey published in late December, a third of Canadian workers think their employer will invest more in training in 2011, and 29% said they expect employers will also hire more people and purchase equipment. The findings support what the bank says it is hearing from employers, whose main priorities include modernizing equipment, recruiting, and supporting employee development.
Canadians addicted to the web
According to measurement company comScore, Canadians spend more time online than any other nationality, especially on social media sites such as Facebook and YouTube. Each month, users log an average of 42 hours online, and watch close to 150 videos on YouTube or similar sites. In addition, over half of Canadians have a Facebook account and are dedicated Twitter users. ComScore says that 68% of the Canadian population is online, compared to 62% in France and the U.K., 60% in Germany and 59% in the U.S.
Canadian CEO salaries recession-proof
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives has released a study on Canadian public company CEO pay. The total average compensation for Canada’s best-paid 100 CEOs was $6.6 million, or 155 times more than the average Canadian worker’s salary of $42,988. This was a drop from 2008, in which they earned 174 times more than their employees ($7.3 million on average). Study author Hugh Mackenzie says that CEO pay is much higher now than in the 1990s—in 1998, for instance, CEOs pocketed 104 times more than the average worker.
HR association sees light of day in Morocco
The International Association of HR Experts (IA of HRE) has just been launched in Morocco, for the purpose of creating and developing a worldwide network of human resources management experts. An international association, the IA of HRE also aims to promote the best human resources practices in Morocco and member countries. To achieve this, it plans to encourage research and development in the HR field. The association is open to HR professionals, universities, companies and other associations, defining itself as a bridge between all people with an interest in human resources.
Newfoundland and Labrador launches new International Graduate Retention Incentive Program
Newfoundland and Labrador has set up a program to incite international students who have graduated from recognized post-secondary institutions in the province to stay. Eligible graduates can apply to receive a one-time payment ranging from $1,000 to $2,500, depending on the length of time spent studying in the province. Applicants must have become permanent residents of Canada. A recent study released by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade states that, on average, each international student contributes roughly $36,000 per year to the economy.