Current Events on the Labour Front

A number of changes in terms of labour reform have been announced by the Liberal government here in our province of Ontario.  Your opinion on each of the changes will determine whether you see them as good or bad.  Regardless, they’re coming so hang on to your hats.

The one that will likely be of most interest to small and medium size businesses will be regarding changes to minimum wage.  For a lot of businesses, including a good number of our own clients, payroll is a huge consideration and often the largest expense to be dealt with.  Any changes to the minimum wage can have dramatic and possibly devastating effects on many of them.  On the other hand, low wage earners can only benefit by a bump in their pay and especially in their take-home pay.

So what’s about to happen?  Currently the general minimum wage stands at $11.40 per hour.  This will jump to $11.60 per hour on October 1 of this year.  It will further increase to $14.00 per hour on January 1 of 2018 and then to $15.00 per hour on January 1 of 2019.  Please note that these are general minimum wages and that there are different rates for students, liquor servers, hunting & fishing guides and home-based workers.  It’s never that simple.

On the employment standards front, there will be legislation in place regarding equal pay for equal work, regardless of whether staff is full-time, casual, part-time, seasonal or temporary.  No longer will employers be able to keep wages down by hiring part-time staff.  It will also allow staff to request a review of their wages if there is any doubt.  The employer will be obligated to respond either in writing or with a wage increase without repercussions to the employee.  As usual, there are exceptions and in this case they involve seniority systems, merit-based systems, and systems involving quantity or quality of production.  This one is slated to begin on April 1 of 2018 should the legislation pass.  A similar clause would make sure that equal pay applies to staff provided by a temp agency.

Work scheduling and minimum pay to employees are also earmarked for rule changes.  In summary:

  • After employment for 3 months, an employee can request schedule or location changes without fear of reprisal
  • An employee regularly working more than 3 hours in a day must be paid for at least 3 hours should they report to work and find out that they will work less than 3 hours.
  • Employees should be given 4 days notice of shifts or they will be able to refuse without repercussion
  • Employees must be paid at least three hours at their regular pay rate if a shift is cancelled within 48 hour of starting
  • On-call employees must be paid for at least 3 hours even if they are not called in to work. This would apply to each 24 hour “on-call shift”
  • The usual exception: collective agreements will OFTEN override these new rules

The last proposed change I will discuss is the right of employees to 10 personal days per year with 2 of them being paid.  In government parlance it is “paid emergency leave”.  Up until now, it only applied to workplaces with 50 or more employees.  If the legislation passes, this threshold will no longer apply.

All of the above is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.  There are more changes being proposed in a sweeping reform of workplace legislation.  This will hopefully give you an idea of where things are heading and how it could affect all of us.  What’s more, additional enforcement staff will be hired by the Ministry of Labour to ensure compliance.

As always, I stand ready to help keep you up to date on things that would affect the financial health of your business.  You are ever welcome to connect to discuss this and all matters relating to your bookkeeping and finances.

Have a truly amazing summer.

Tracy

Vaidehi

Bookkeeper

Meet Vaidehi, a dedicated and professional Bookkeeper since 2021, who proudly supports and assists her clients. Her efficiency and expertise shines through her seamless handling of her clients’ financial records including Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Bank Reconciliation and client communication. Trust Vaidehi to provide the support and solutions you need. During her personal time, Vaidehi enjoys dancing, cooking and tending to her garden.

Tinna

Bookkeeping Manager

Introducing Tinna, our resourceful and dynamic Bookkeeping Manager with over 12 years of hands-on experience. An expert in all aspects of accounting and finance operations, she handles preparation and maintenance of statutory accounting books, reconciling revenue and expenditure accounts, overseeing the preparation of monthly, quarterly, bi-annual and year-end financial statements, implementing stellar accounting systems and controls, budgeting and financial projections. Tinna’s solid background in managing both financial and non-financial assets, investigating and auditing accounts, makes her an asset to the Fiscal Performance team.

Duane

Executive Director

A true believer in the power of streamlined workflows and strategic financial planning, Duane is not just about balancing the books; he is also about balancing success with sustainability, innovation with tradition, and growth with groundedness. Bringing together a blend of expertise, experience, and enthusiasm, he is focused on improving systems to continue on providing a high level of customer service to all of Fiscal’s partners, customers and vendors. He invites you to join the Fiscal Performance network and learn how to solve your accounting and bookkeeping challenges today.

Olu

Client Service Manager

If you’re seeking a bookkeeper with a passion for precision, a friendly demeanor, and a love for the beautiful game of soccer, then look no further than Olusegun. With over 10 years of experience with auditing and financial analysis, Olusegun brings a unique blend of expertise and enthusiasm to the table. Known for his approachable demeanor and willingness to go the extra mile, he’s not just your typical accountant – he’s a trusted ally in your company’s full cycle financial management. So, if you’re in need of a bookkeeper (with auditing know-how) who gets the job done, valuing integrity and reliability as part of every job, Olusegun is your go-to guy!

Sam

Task Manager & Quality Control

Sam is a seasoned Bookkeeping Manager with over 14 years of experience. Proficient in book cleaning, reviews, HST report preparation, and finalizing accounts using QuickBooks, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law, and Master’s degree in Commerce. Sam is known for his dedication to meeting deadlines, his collaborative work ethic, and equal prioritization of family and work. A nature and pet lover, he finds solace in music.

Alex

Reviewer

Meet Alex, a highly esteemed member of our team, whose accounting expertise spans back to 2015. Holding a semi-qualified Chartered Accountant designation and a post-graduate in Accounting (achieved in 2018) Alex remains steadfast in catering to the needs of clients. Over the course of this distinguished career, Alex has cultivated invaluable proficiency with an array of esteemed accounting software. Renowned for unwavering punctuality, Alex consistently maintains a proactive approach, ensuring meticulous oversight of all deliverables.

Eric

Bookkeeper

Meet Eric, a distinguished professional with a Master of Commerce and a semi-qualified Chartered Accountant. He boasts three years of specialized experience in Canadian and US accounting, using software such as QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, and Dext. Eric’s proficiency shines through his seamless handling of onboarding, migration, clean-up, and catch-up projects. Renowned for his tech-savvy approach, Eric leverages his expertise in advanced Excel macro building to empower clients — enhancing their productivity and efficiency. Trust Eric to deliver unparalleled financial solutions tailored to your specific needs, ensuring excellence every step of the way.

Jess

Bookkeeper

Jess is a dedicated Bookkeeper, with a Bachelor of Accounting, who is proud to assist her clients with bookkeeping support, since 2020. Jess is well-versed in a suite of software programs with a focus on QuickBooks Online. Her expertise extends beyond conventional bookkeeping, encompassing Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable Management, Payroll processing, and adeptly managing the books as per client specifications and needs. She stands out for her swift file processing capabilities and streamlined financial processes at Fiscal Performance.

David

Task Manager

Meet David, Fiscal Performance’s Task Manager. A distinguished accounting & finance professional since 2014, David is adept in leadership roles. Known for his advanced skills in process implementation and continuous improvement, David works to ensure optimal outcomes for clients. With extensive experience spanning global markets including Canada, USA, UK, and Australia, he specializes in providing comprehensive CFO & bookkeeping services. Proficiency in a variety of accounting software enables him to tailor solutions to meet his clients’ needs effectively. David is detailed oriented and his ability to deal with conflicting priorities in high-pressure situations makes him an VIP at Fiscal Performance.

Chris

Reviewer

Introducing Chris, a Reviewer at Fiscal Performance and a seasoned professional in the accounting & finance industry. He boasts a career, starting in 2017, that includes executive roles to team leader positions. A post graduate in accounting, he is proficient in software such as QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop. Chris has honed his skills over the years, optimizing his bookkeeping processes by prioritizing accuracy and efficiency. Known for his dedication and meticulous approach, Chris consistently seeks out innovative solutions to streamline operations and deliver top-tier results. His commitment to excellence and his proactive attitude makes him an invaluable asset at Fiscal Performance.

Tracy Khamis

CPB, DFA – Bookkeeping Services Specialist™

Managing Director

Always wanting to learn and gain knowledge, Tracy has worked for multiple companies from various industries. Having the opportunity to work in varied industries from small companies to large organizations such as banks, accounting firms, schools, restaurants, construction, manufacturing and the arts has been extremely exciting. Each industry has different rules that apply, along with different government requirements. This experience has provided Tracy with extensive growth and understanding of bookkeeping, multiple software platforms, and in-depth financial report preparation. To know Tracy is to appreciate what she can do to put your books in order and keep them in a timely, relevant and professional manner.

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