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Working Through COVID-19

Pay Planning Survey

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.

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