Working Through COVID-19
Pay Planning Survey
April 15, 2020
As COVID-19 distancing—and budgeting—measures continue, many HR leaders are re-evaluating the status of upcoming salary increases and short-term incentive payouts.
The Conference Board of Canada has asked organizations across Canada they’re managing pay planning for employees at all levels.
Here’s what we found.
Note: Survey responses were collected on Tuesday, April 14, 2020. These findings are part of a Conference Board series on work and pay during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay tuned for updates as this situation evolves.
Few pay cuts so far
(n = 279; percentage of organizations)
Source: The Conference Board of Canada.
19% of organizations are implementing a salary freeze, with an additional one‑third considering doing so.
In Alberta, a province hit hard by the spread of the pandemic, the share of organizations implementing a salary freeze is higher: 30 per cent.
Looking by industry, construction organizations in Canada are leading the pack, with 63 per cent of them putting a pause on salary increases. Both Canadian retail trade and real estate are feeling the pinch—33 per cent of organizations in these industries are also implementing a salary freeze.
Salary increases
Salary freezes least likely for unionized employees
Q: How is your organization approaching upcoming salary increases?
(n = 282; percentage of organizations)
Note: Totals may not add to 100 due to rounding.
Source: The Conference Board
Incentive payouts
Steady approach to incentive payouts
Q: How is your organization approaching upcoming short-term incentive payouts?
(n = 229; percentage of organizations)
Note: Totals may not add to 100 due to rounding.
Source: The Conference Board
Some organizations are also managing costs through other means. One of them is a hiring freeze.
Hiring on hold for half
Q: Has your organization implemented any of the following actions due to COVID-19?
(n = 282; percentage of organizations)
Source: The Conference Board of Canada.
Temporary layoffs trump terminations
Q: Has your organization implemented any of the following actions due to COVID-19?
(n = 280; percentage of organizations)
Source: The Conference Board of Canada.
Get an inside look at our respondent profile.
Want more information? Explore more topics in our ongoing Working Through COVID-19 series.