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

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

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

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, 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

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,...

Let’s be real—growing a business is both exhilarating and overwhelming. There’s a lot to juggle: hiring, policies, performance issues,...

Employee engagement surveys get a bad rap. Maybe it’s because people assume they’re just another HR exercise, or maybe it’s because some...

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...

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...

This post is part 1 of a 4 Part Mini-Series On Resistance to Change: What it Looks Like and How to Recognize it. Implementing change in...

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

In today's highly competitive business landscape, establishing a robust online presence is crucial for small businesses to thrive and...

As remote work continues to become a norm for many businesses, smaller organizations face unique challenges in adapting to this new...