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

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 laughed

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

Incentive programs are meant to drive performance, boost morale, and keep employees engaged. But when they go wrong? Well, let’s just say...

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...

Addressing High Turnover and Underperformance Client: Small Professional Services Firm Industry: Professional Services Employees: ...

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

This is part 3 of a 4 Part Mini-Series On Resistance to Change: What it Looks Like and How to Recognize it. Implementing change in any...