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High-performing teams are not found. They are built. And the first place most organizations feel the difference is hiring. For small and growing businesses, one mis-hire does not just slow things down. It changes how leaders spend their time. Instead of building the business, they compensate. They coach basic expectations, fix errors, redistribute work, and quietly lower standards just to keep momentum. The stress does not come from one person. It comes from the ripple effect

Welcome to our column, Dear Toby. We take real life HR questions and give real HR advice. Have a question or topic you'd love covered in our column? Send us an email at info@aandaconsulting.ca   "Dear Toby,    We just had our company Christmas party and overall it was great - until it wasn’t.  One of my employees had way  too much to drink and started making comments that crossed several lines. They weren’t malicious, but they were absolutely inappropriate. A few people laugh

Welcome to our column, Dear Toby. We take real life HR questions and give real HR advice. Have a question or topic you'd love covered in our column? Send us an email at info@aandaconsulting.ca   “Dear Toby, I want to thank my team this year but our budget is tight. Do you have any creative recognition ideas that don’t cost a fortune?” - Lost in Langley Dear Lost in Langley, First - thank you for even asking this question. The fact that you’re thinking intentionally about re

Welcome to our column, Dear Toby. We take real life HR questions and give real HR advice. Have a question or topic you'd love covered in our column? Send us an email at info@aandaconsulting.ca   Dear Toby, I know I’ll need to hire in the new year, but I’ve been putting off planning because we’re slammed right now. How early do I actually need to start recruiting if I want someone in the role by January or February? - Growing Pains in Edmonton Dear Growing Pains, Ah, the great

Dear Toby, I keep hearing about businesses switching to a 4-day work week, and I’m wondering if that’s something a small business like mine should consider. What are the real benefits, and how can I make sure it works without hurting operations? — Curious in Canmore Dear Curious, Fantastic question — and one a lot of small business owners are asking right now (usually around Thursday afternoon when the weekend still feels far away). The 4-day work week has gone from “interest

If I asked you to describe your workplace in one word, would “joyful” come to mind?  Most leaders wouldn’t say yes — not because they don’t want it, but because “joy” feels like something that belongs at a birthday party, not in a boardroom. After all, work is about performance, deadlines, and budgets… right?  Here’s the thing: joy isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s a competitive advantage.  When people find joy at work — through purpose, connection, and belonging — they don’t just f

On May 28, 2025, the Ontario government introduced Bill 30: The Working for Workers Seven Act . If passed, it will make changes to three...

Employment contracts are meant to give clarity and protection for both employers and employees. But as a recent case shows, if...

When was the last time you reviewed how your compensation stacks up against the market? If you can’t remember, you’re not alone. Many...

Dear Toby, Our company is growing fast, which is exciting — but it’s also total chaos  behind the scenes. We’ve never done a formal HR...

Firing someone “for cause” might sound like a straightforward way to end a difficult employment relationship without severance pay.  But...

When a customer complains about an employee’s conduct, it can feel like a clear-cut case for discipline—or even termination. But a recent...

Dear Toby, I’m a small business owner, and I’ve never had to fire anyone before. But one employee just isn’t cutting it—constant...

It Depends on the Province When it comes to employment standards, IT professionals occupy a murky middle ground — sometimes exempt from...

Big changes are coming to employment law in Saskatchewan—and small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) need to get ready. As of May 13, 2025,...

Dear Toby, We just launched new project management software, and the team’s response has been… let’s just say underwhelming. Some are...

Let’s be real: change is hard. Not because people are stubborn or the change is a bad idea—but because humans are wired to stick with...

Spoiler: It’s way cheaper than you think—and it might just save your sanity. Let’s be honest—running a business is a juggling act. You’re...

Dear Toby, I’ve got someone on my team who’s not doing anything wrong on paper, but their tone is harsh, they roll their eyes in...

Do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, tired, or on the edge at work more often than not? You're not alone. The fast-paced nature of...