Contents:

• Welcome
• What's New
• GrandMaster Update

August 2009 - Welcome to the latest edition of The Payroll News. As always, please feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends and associates who are interested in keeping up with the latest changes in the Payroll industry. Or better yet, subscribe them for free using the Tell Others About Us link.

Listed here are recent changes in legislation on Federal and Provincial levels that may impact your payroll calculations. Please view the following list for changes that affect your region.

FEDERAL:

August 28, 2009 - B.C. And Canada Help Older Workers Get New Jobs - The Governments of Canada and British Columbia are partnering to help older workers remain active in the workforce by jointly investing over $30 million and extending the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW) until March 2012. (Full Story)

August 24, 2009 - Government of Canada presents cheques to first Apprenticeship Completion Grant recipients - The Government of Canada supports training, and provides grants and tax credits to encourage Canadians to pursue challenging, rewarding careers in the skilled trades. The Apprenticeship Completion Grant builds on the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant by offering an additional $2,000 to eligible apprentices after they successfully complete their apprenticeship training and receive their journeyperson certification in a designated Red Seal trade on or after January 1, 2009. (Full Story)

August 4, 2009 - Government of Canada supports labour mobility for registered massage therapists - The Government of Canada is helping registered massage therapists overcome labour mobility barriers across Canada. The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade, Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Regional Minister for British Columbia, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. (Full Story)

Alberta:

August 11, 2009 - Disputes Inquiry Board appointed for labour dispute - The Alberta government has appointed a Disputes Inquiry Board to help DynaLIFEDx and Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) reach a collective agreement for 912 workers in central and northern Alberta. This independent, third-party perspective is hoped to provide opportunity to resolve the outstanding issues and result in an agreement suitable to both parties. (Full Story)

August 10, 2009 - Government of Canada helps Grande Prairie youth prepare for jobs - Aboriginal youth facing barriers to employment will gain skills and work experience through the Government of Canada’s support for a local employment project. Mr. Chris Warkentin, Member of Parliament for Peace River, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. (Full Story)

July 2009 - Latest Issue of WorkSIGHT now available - The Workers Compensation Board of Alberta has released the latest issue of WorkSIGHT. This document is published twice a year by the WCB - Alberta and is distributed to employers, labour organizations, employer and safety associations and injured worker groups. (Full Story - PDF)

British Columbia:

August 28, 2009 - $1.8 Million For Specialized Employment Services - New employment services worth $1.8 million annually are now available for people with learning, developmental, mental health and other neurological disabilities throughout the province, announced Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development. (Full Story)

August 20, 2009 - B.C. Supports 40 Workers With $1.8m To Improve Heritage - Some 40 laid-off resource workers will be developing new skills while restoring historic sites at Cottonwood House, Quesnel Forks, Hat Creek Ranch and Fort Steele, thanks to $1,875,556 from the Community Development Trust Job Opportunities and Tuition Assistance Programs, announced Bill Bennett, Minister for Community and Rural Development and Kevin Krueger, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. (Full Story)

August 18, 2009 - Government of Canada helps Victoria youth prepare for jobs - Local youth who face barriers to employment will get job-preparation training and work experience through the Government of Canada’s support for a local employment project. The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. (Full Story)

July 24, 2009 - Tuition Program Opens Doors To More Workers - More workers in the forest sector have access to training opportunities through the $17.25-million Community Development Trust (CDT) Tuition Assistance Program due to a change in the definition of forest worker, announced Bill Bennett, Minister of Community and Rural Development. (Full Story)

July 23, 2009 - Harmonized Sales Tax To Boost Investment, Job Creation - British Columbia intends to harmonize its provincial sales tax with the federal Goods and Services Tax effective July 1, 2010, to boost new business investment, improve productivity, enhance economic growth and create jobs, Premier Gordon Campbell and Finance Minister Colin Hansen announced. (Full Story)

July 14, 2009 - Increased worker safety the result of resource roads pilot project - Today, recommendations based on the findings of the Resource Roads Demonstration Project are being released. Focused on improving worker safety on resource roads, the Project was conducted in the Prince George forestry region and the oil and gas fields southeast of Fort St. John. (Full Story)

Manitoba:

August 7, 2009 - Manitoba's Job Market Shows Remarkable Strength In Tough Economic Times - Manitoba's labour market continues to exhibit remarkable strength relative to the national job situation according to Statistics Canada information released this morning, Competitiveness, Training and Trade Minister Andrew Swan announced today. Manitoba has seen 8,300 private-sector jobs created in the last nine months compared to a loss of 360,600 private-sector positions nationally. (Full Story)

July 15, 2009 - Government of Canada helps youth in southwestern Manitoba gain employment skills - Young people in southwestern Manitoba will develop the skills they need to find and keep quality jobs through a project supported by the Government of Canada. Mr. Merv Tweed, Member of Parliament for Brandon-Souris, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. (Full Story)

July 15, 2009 - Expanded Workers Compensation Provisions For Firefighters Now In Effect - Changes to the Workers Compensation Act that further protect firefighters by expanding the list of presumptive diseases have now been fully implemented with the passing of a new regulation, Labour and Immigration Minister Nancy Allan announced today. (Full Story)

Newfoundland and Labrador:

August 18, 2009 - Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador support renovation project to help unemployed residents prepare for jobs - Local unemployed individuals will get construction work experience through the governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador’s support for a local employment project. "Our government supports Canadians, especially in these challenging times, and helps them contribute to the quality of life in their communities,” said Minister MacKay. “Not only does this project provide work experience for unemployed individuals, this facility will serve this community for years to come." (Full Story)

August 14, 2009 - Sixteen New Employment Support Initiatives Rolled Out Across the Province - In response to the impact the global economic recession has had on mature job seekers and displaced workers, the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, today announced 16 new employment support initiatives for specific areas throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. (Full Story)

August 13, 2009 - Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador Support Workers Affected by Economic Downturn - To help workers hit hardest by the global recession, the Government of Canada is investing more than $43 million in Newfoundland and Labrador's employment and training programs under an agreement signed between the federal and provincial governments. The new federal investment will create more job opportunities, through skills development, that will help an estimated 4,300 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians get back to work. (Full Story)

August 6, 2009 - Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador Help People Start Their Own Business - A local employment project will help unemployed workers start their own business thanks to the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development along with the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Newfoundland and Labrador's Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. (Full Story)

August 3, 2009 - Province Gearing Up to Enhance Labour Market - A new Labour Market Agreement (LMA) and new Strategic Training and Transition Fund (STTF) will help ensure individuals throughout Newfoundland and Labrador have access to the employment and training supports they need. These new initiatives will help expand and enhance the current suite of provincial labour market programs to provide supports for unemployed, non-EI eligible persons; employed, lower-skilled workers; as well as workers who are being impacted by the current economic downturn. (Full Story)

New Brunswick:

August 7, 2009 - Employment, participation rate hold steady in July compared to July 2008 - The number of New Brunswickers employed in July held steady compared to July of last year. According to Statistics Canada, New Brunswick had 364,900 people employed in July, the same level as recorded in July 2008. However, employment decreased by 2,000 when compared to June. The labour force stood at 402,700 in July, up 2,900 over July 2008 but down 1,300 when compared to June. (Full Story)

August 4, 2009 - Increase to minimum wage announced - The minimum wage in New Brunswick will increase to $8.25 per hour on Sept. 1, up 25 cents per hour. This will be the second increase since April, taking the minimum wage in New Brunswick from $7.75 per hour to $8.25 per hour. As a result of the increase, an employee working 40 hours per week wage will earn $330. This will be up from the $268 that he or she earned after working a 40-hour week in October 2006. (Full Story)

July 27, 2009 - Record success rate for apprentices - Apprentices in skilled trades have achieved an unprecedented success rate on the Interprovincial (Red Seal) Standards Program examination. "In 2009, 84 per cent of apprentices writing the Red Seal examination have passed and received certification as journeypersons, compared to 78 per cent last year and the low-60s 10 years ago," said Training and Labour Minister Donald Arseneault. "This is good news and a sure sign of the high quality of the New Brunswick Apprenticeship Program." (Full Story)

July 10, 2009 - 3,400 more people working last month as rate drops compared to last June - More than 3,400 more people were working in the province last month compared to June 2008. New Brunswick was the only province to have a decline in its unemployment rate during this period. Statistics Canada revealed that New Brunswick had 366,900 people employed in June. This was 3,400 more than the same month last year and 1,400 more than the previous month. The labour force stood at 404,000 in June, up by 1,500 compared to the same month last year, showing an increase of 3,400 since May. (Full Story)

Nova Scotia:

August 6, 2009 - Compulsory Certification for Motor Vehicle Body Repairers - Drivers in Nova Scotia, and those who repair their vehicles, will be better protected thanks to new regulations that require motor vehicle body repairers to obtain a certificate of qualification. The Department of Labour and Workforce Development was asked by the collision repair industry to implement compulsory certification in the trade. (Full Story)

August 7, 2009 - Funds to Organizations That Prepare People for Workforce - Organizations that help unemployed or low-skilled workers develop the skills they need to find and keep jobs may be eligible for funding from the provincial and federal governments. An estimated 20,000 people will benefit from programs like these over a five-year period. (Full Story)

Ontario:

July 30, 2009 - Government of Canada helps Sudbury youth prepare for jobs - The Government of Canada is supporting a local employment project that provides unemployed youth with employability skills and work experience. Mr. Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. (Full Story)

July 27, 2009 - WSIB Announces Preliminary Premium Rates for 2010 - Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) announced today that it will freeze premium rates for employers in rate groups with good health and safety records. For 2010, the WSIB intends to use the same method for setting premium rates as has been used in previous years - but with one important change. Premium rates will be frozen for rate groups with good health-and-safety performance, while rate increases will be calculated for poor-performing rate groups in the usual way. (Full Story - PDF)

Prince Edward Island:

August 6, 2009 - Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island celebrate renovation project that helps Islanders - Today, Senator Mike Duffy, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, celebrated the completed renovation of the Boys and Girls Club of Summerside’s gymnasium. Funded under the Canada-Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement, this project provided four unemployed workers with the opportunity to develop the skills and experience they need to find and maintain employment in construction trades. (Full Story)

August 2009 - WCB Policy Insider for August 2009- The Workers Compensation Board of PEI has released latest Policy Insider -- a quarterly publication dedicated to providing you with information related to policies and other important facts about the Workers Compensation Board. The main focus of the Policy Insider is to help you get information on policy and increase awareness of policy changes that may affect you. (Full Story)

Saskatchewan:

August 28, 2009 - Saskatchewan Workers See Earnings Increase - Saskatchewan's payroll increases continue to outpace the national average, according to a new report released today by Statistics Canada. Average weekly earnings in Saskatchewan increased by 2.6 per cent (seasonally adjusted) in June 2009 compared to June 2008, well above the national average of 1.8 per cent. Average weekly earnings in Saskatchewan are now $803.77. (Full Story)

August 20, 2009 - WCB Announces Retroactive adjustments for Physical Therapists and Employers - The WCB and the Saskatchewan Physiotherapy Association (SPA) agreed to a new fee schedule earlier this year. Because of these new fees, the WCB will notify Employers and Physical Therapists of retroactive adjustments concerning their accounts this month. (Full Story)

August 7, 2009 - Saskatchewan Still Has Strongest Job Numbers In Canada - Despite some job losses in July, Saskatchewan continues to post the lowest unemployment rate in Canada and is now the only province with more people working than a year ago, according to the latest labour force report released today by Statistics Canada. There were 526,300 people working in Saskatchewan in July 2009 - an increase of 11,400 over July 2008. All other provinces lost jobs during that same 12-month period. Overall, there are 347,100 fewer Canadians working than a year ago. (Full Story)

August 4, 2009 - Saskatchewan Achieves Important Labour Mobility Milestone - Saskatchewan has approved six exceptions under the recently amended Chapter 7 of the Agreement on International Trade (AIT). The recent amendments to Chapter 7 of the AIT support full labour mobility by ensuring that any worker certified for an occupation by a regulatory authority of one province or territory is recognized as qualified for that occupation across the country. Under the amendments, provinces and territories are able to identify exceptions for occupations. (Full Story)

July 30, 2009 - Saskatchewan Workers Earning More Than Ever - Saskatchewan workers are earning more than before, according to a new report released today by Statistics Canada. Average weekly earnings by payroll employees in Saskatchewan are now $806.66 for the first time ever. The average weekly earnings in Saskatchewan increased by 3.7 per cent (seasonally adjusted) in May 2009 compared to May 2008. (Full Story)

The current release of GrandMaster Suite (5.80) incorporates a number of changes to make it even easier to use the program and perform your payroll tasks. Some of the program changes since our last Payroll News issue include:

• The Federal tax changes, effective July 1, 2009 - These changes are included in v5.80 and are based on the "Payroll Deductions Formulas for Computer Programs 90th Edition - T4127JUL(E)" document released by the CRA on May 15, 2009. There are no changes to the Federal tax rates, income thresholds, or personal amounts for July 1, 2009. However provincial tax changes for New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Saskatchewan are included in this release. There are no changes to the other provinces.
• The employee list dialog box now displays employees based on search technique - With this release we have made changes to the employee list dialog box to display the list based on your chosen search technique. Therefore when your search technique is by Name the employees' names will be listed in alphabetical order and will occupy the first column in the list. Likewise, when the search technique is by employee number or badge number the list will display in order of these numbers and the number will occupy the first column. Keep in mind that if you have leading spaces in the employee number of badge number these will be stripped when displayed in the list to allow you to search forward through the list but the leading spaces will be a determiner of where the employee record will be listed. For example, and employee with a badge or employee number that is "ZZZZ" will be displayed before an employee with the number "AAAAA" because of the leading space but the list will not show the leading space to allow you to search forward.
• We have added the ability to set the payment type reference in your EFT file - With this release we have modified the EFT profile to allow you to choose the appropriate CPA payment maintenance code. The default code is 200 which is the reference code for a Payroll Deposit but we have added the other available codes allowing you to set this code to the one that best applies to the EFT transmittal you are sending.
• The "Browse" feature has been modified to allow you to save a new file - With this release we have modified the "Browse" button found on dialog boxes to allow you to save a new file instead of being forced to select an existing file. This change makes it more convenient to use the browse feature to navigate to a specific directory and save a file name to use for your report or import/export.
• New LTD deduction calculation formula added - This release includes a new deduction calculation method, Code 160, for Long Term Disability deduction calculations. The new formula is similar to the formulas used for calculation methods 134 and 140 however, the formula used with Code 160 will annualized the employee earnings, as selected, then determine a monthly earning amount rounded to the nearest dollar. Once the monthly amount is established, the formula will determine the amounts for each percentage level based on the deduction definition. For example, if you have coverage levels set to be 60% of the first $6500 and 40% of the excess and your monthly rounded figure resolves to an amount of $7667, the formula would multiply the first $6500 by 60% and the remaining $1167 by 40%. Once this is completed the two amounts are added together and multiplied by the deduction rate as defined and then divide the result by 100 to get to the deduction amount. A benefit may be included at a percentage of the deduction.
• New pension plan deduction calculation method added - With this release we have added a new deduction calculation method (161) for pension plan deductions. This new calculation is similar to calculation code 60 in the GrandMaster II software. This method uses selected employee earnings above and below YMPE and will calculate the deduction amounts based of the rates you set for the deduction rate and the <>YMPE percentages.
• The Human Resource Skills Report now includes the employee Initial Hire Date - With this release we have added an option to include the employee's Initial Hire Date in the Skills Report. This change applies to both the report and the export. To include this date in your report you would just select the Initial Hire Date as a report field and to include it in your export you would simply include the field position for this data element.
• Import Pay Hours now includes option to import employee specific message - We have made a change to the Import Pay Hours to include an employee message in your import that will update to the employee's Pay Statement Message field in Payroll Specific Information. This message will be used when printing employee pay statements as a memo field for the employee. This field is restricted to 30 characters. Upon the close of a pay sequence the message will be recorded in the employee pay history to be printed on the employee pay statement.
• Import of data now available in the Human Resource module - With this release we have added an option to allow you to import Human Resource related data. This will allow you to import items such as Incidents, Benefits, Assignments, Evaluations and Employee Contact information.

• • •

Visit CanPay's News page and view the latest Release Notes for a complete listing of program changes.

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10 Tips For Dealing With Change In The Workplace
By Calvin Sun - www.calvinsun.com

10-megabyte hard disks… DOS… 5 1/4-inch floppy drives….The technology of the 1980s and 1990s bears almost no resemblance to what we have today. In the same way, our jobs and organizations probably bear little resemblance to that time. Companies reduce their staffs, outsource their operations, rearrange their organizational structure, and upgrade their platforms and tools. Dealing with all of this change can be daunting. Yet being able to do so is vital to your career.

As I began to think about tips I could share on handling change, I realized that reactions to those changes mirror the reactions to the death of a loved one. In particular, I kept thinking about a tragedy that struck a south Texas family I met whose young son Ivan had been killed in an accident, and the amazing way they dealt with it. Their actions helped me put together the following tips on dealing with change. (For the story of Ivan and his resilient and generous family, see this post in my personal blog.)

#1: Recognize that change does happen
When we were children, as the saying goes, we thought, acted, and spoke like children. When we became adults, though, we put childish ways behind us. Our own personal lives change as we grow older. Why should our careers and jobs be any different? Denying that change is or will be occurring, and continuing to live in the past (something my daughters allege about me), only makes things more difficult.

When I teach classes on customer service, I emphasize the importance of setting and managing the expectations of the customer. That principle applies to us personally as well. The more we understand that change will happen, the less upset and surprised we will be when we encounter that change.

#2: Be aware of your surroundings
In his classic work The Art of War, author and military strategist Sun Tzu wrote about the importance of observing signs of the enemy. For example, he wrote that movement among trees in a forest indicated that the enemy is advancing, and that dust that rose in a high column indicated the approach of chariots.

Few armies fight with chariots these days, but the principles Sun Tzu wrote about apply just as much to your job situation. Recognizing that change happens is desirable. It's even better, though, to recognize when change might be occurring in your own specific situation. Keep alert to subtle clues. For example, are you being excluded from important meetings? Does your boss seem more distant? Is the rumor mill engaged?

#3: Recognize the stages
Because reactions to organizational change resemble those to the death of a loved one, many studies on change cite the work of psychologist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, who identified several specific stages in the latter. The early stages include shock and denial (refusing to believe what has happened and instead believing everything will be all right), guilt (at not having done or said more or for not being the decedent), and anger (at the decedent or at God).Later, one passes through the stages of acceptance (acknowledging what has happened) and moving on.

With respect to organizational change, an additional "negotiations" stage can occur, in which the affected person offers to work harder as a way of preventing or forestalling the change.

All the stages don't necessarily occur. The progression might not be a smooth linear one, and different amounts of time may be involved with the different stages. Regardless, the quicker you get to the acceptance and moving on stages, the better it will be for you.

#4: Communicate with others
Communications is always important, but especially so when you face change. A lack of communications from others can have a negative impact, while effective communications can have a positive one. From a purely pragmatic standpoint, you need details about the change, so that you can determine how it affects you. Don't just sit back and wait for things to happen. Talk to your boss, your boss's boss, and your co-workers to get their understanding. When dealing with co-workers, however, be aware that news can be distorted and can be mixed with rumor.

Part of the fear of change involves dealing with the unknown. If possible, try to minimize this factor by talking to others who have undergone such a change. What difficulties did they experience and how did they deal with them? How can you adapt their experiences to your own situation? As the philosopher Santayana said, "Those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it."

Your communications should involve more than just people in your own department or company. They should involve people in other companies as well. They might have experienced the same change, so their advice has value. They might also serve as contacts should you decide to change jobs.

#5: Do a self assessment
Companies, in planning for the future, often conduct an analysis for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). That type of SWOT analysis can be just as helpful to you. What skills and strengths do you have? Where do you need to improve? By understanding your own strengths and weaknesses, and knowing as much as you can about the new situation, you have a better chance of finding a place to fit in.

Please visit us next issue for the conclusion of this article!