Small Businesses

Annual pay reviews can be challenging when employees expect increases and your budget has limited room. Learn how to set an affordable budget, prioritize pay adjustments, and make decisions you can explain.

Calling someone a contractor doesn't necessarily make them one. Here are five signs a worker may actually be functioning as an employee and what Canadian businesses should consider.

How much should you budget for fractional HR? Explore Canadian pricing examples, common billing models, and the difference between hands-on HR support and executive leadership, plus options when ongoing support is outside your budget.

At what point does a small business actually need HR? It isn't just about employee count. Here are 10 signs your business may have outgrown DIY HR and how to figure out what kind of support you need.

Your business may need HR long before it needs a full-time HR employee. Here’s how fractional HR works, what it can help with, what it costs and how to know whether it’s right for your business.

High-performing teams start with intentional hiring. Learn how success profiles, structured interviews and clearer hiring criteria can help organizations recruit for performance instead of relying on gut feel.

The Importance of Clarity in Employment Relationships Dear Toby, I am a small business owner, and honestly, everyone who works with me is a contractor. When I started, it made sense. I was small, cash flow mattered, and I did not want to deal with payroll, source deductions, vacation pay, CPP, EI, and all the things I know I would probably mess up. Contractors felt simpler. But now I am freaking out! A friend of mine who also runs a business just got audited by the CRA. They

High-performing teams are not found. They are built. And the first place organizations feel the difference is in 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 a

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 they’re not written carefully, they can do the opposite—leaving businesses exposed to major financial risk. What Happened The Township of Ignace hired an employee on a three-year contract. Less than a year in, they ended her employment and offered two weeks’ pay, believing their contract covered them. It didn’t. Courts found several problems in

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...

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 Note: The advice in this blog is now out of date. Please check out our most up-to-date review of IT overtime exemptions by clicking here. When it comes to employment standards, IT professionals occupy a murky middle ground — sometimes exempt from overtime, sometimes not. If your business operates across multiple provinces or hires remote tech staff, you might be surprised how different the rules can be from province to province. To help you stay co

Running a small business is no small feat. Between juggling daily operations, managing employees, and serving customers, it’s easy to get...

In today's fast-paced business world, fostering a positive company culture is essential for success. It not only improves employee morale...

In the realm of small business operations, Human Resources (HR) metrics are invaluable tools for assessing the health and effectiveness...

In the realm of Human Resources (HR), efficiency and effectiveness are key drivers of success. As businesses strive to streamline their...