Working Through COVID-19
Pay Premiums Survey
April 1, 2023
As COVID-19 spreads, many Canadians—especially essential workers in key sectors must still go to work at a physical workplace. How are their organizations supporting them?
The conference board has asked HR professionals across Canada about the many ways they’re supporting their public-facing workers.
Here’s what we found.
Note: Survey responses were collected on Monday, March 30, 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.
Most organizations have employees going into a physical workplace
Q: Do you currently have employees who still go into work at a physical workplace (or workplaces)?
(n = 212; percentage of organizations)
86% of respondents have employees who need to attend work in person.
The following results look at this portion of organizations.
Source: The Conference Board of Canada.
The spread of COVID-19 has transformed generally held definitions of “essential” work, and is shining significant light on Canada’s new front-line workers.
In this study, we define front-line employees as those who interact, in person, with the general public, and are therefore most at risk.
Few front-line employees rewarded for service so far
Q: Are you providing pay premiums to unionized employees still coming into work?
(n = 90; percentage of organizations)
Non-unionized
Note: Totals may not add to 100 due to rounding.
Source: The Conference Board of Canada.
Nine out of 10 organizations offering premiums are adding a fixed amount to employees’ pay. On average, employers are providing an additional $4.43 per hour worked.
Unionized
Note: Totals may not add to 100 due to rounding.
Source: The Conference Board of Canada.
Six out of 10 organizations offering premiums are adding a fixed amount to employees’ pay. On average, employers are providing an additional $3.54 per hour worked.
Are organizations helping employees get to and from work?
Most employees on the hook for their commute
Q: Are you reimbursing non-unionized employees who aren’t comfortable taking public transit to work on site?
(n = 90; percentage of organizations)
Non-unionized
Note: Totals may not add to 100 due to rounding.
Source: The Conference Board of Canada.
Eight out of 10 organizations that are providing reimbursements are covering the full amount.
Unionized
Note: Totals may not add to 100 due to rounding.
Source: The Conference Board of Canada.
Eight out of 10 organizations that are providing reimbursements are covering the full amount.
What about their safety when they get there?
As time goes on, organizations continue to adapt and implement new measures to keep their workers safe. Some organizations, like Canada Post and Loblaws, are even installing physical barriers to protect their public-facing employees.
1 in 3 are assessing employee health upon arrival
Organizations taking employee safety seriously
Q: What measures have you put in place to ensure your employees’ safety?
(n = 182; percentage of organizations)
Note: Total is greater than 100 as respondents could select more than one option.
Source: The Conference Board of Canada.
Want more info? Access our remote work and compensation survey results, part of our ongoing Working Through COVID-19 series.