Ebnc-Stayingcurrent-Globalwatch

Protocol to Canada-U.S. Tax Treaty enters into force

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:01:00 GMT

An Osler Update reports on the September 21, 2007 protocol to the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention which Canada and the United States announced on December 15, 2008 has now entered into force.

Soft benefits of expat assignments hard to track

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:36:00 GMT

Companies are increasingly using mobility as a tool to create a global mindset within their workforce, yet many are not tracking the return on investment of international assignments.

Economic reality hits incentive plans hard

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:43:00 GMT

A new survey issued by Deloitte reveals decreased earnings and falling stock prices have decimated the value in some companies' annual incentive and long-term incentive plans, leaving companies searching for ways to help their employees feel valued and motivated in this economy.

In recognition

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:46:00 GMT

CHRP, CCP, CEBS - these initials after your name tell the world that you possess special HR knowledge and skills recognized by peers and valued by employers. Recently, another certification was added to this list: Certified Recognition Professional or CRP.

U.S. plans sue to recover subprime losses

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:49:00 GMT

After the scope of the subprime mortgage crisis became clear in 2007, a number of U.S.- based pension and 401(k) plans with assets invested in subprime mortgage obligations filed lawsuits in federal District Court to recover their losses based on a provision of the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act that holds fiduciaries personally liable for losses resulting from their breach of fiduciary responsibilities.

U.S. Supreme Court rules on conflict of interest in benefit claims

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:23:00 GMT

Companies and administrators of employee benefit plans in the U.S. should take note of a new U.S. Supreme Court case addressing conflicts of interest arising where insurance companies both adjudicate and pay claims.

SHRM courses and designation comes to Canada

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:59:00 GMT

In partnership with HR associations across Canada, the U.S.- based Society for Human Resource Management will for the first time this fall be offering the Global Professional in Human Resources Certification Preparation Course and other selected SHRM Business Education courses in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.

Featured Podcast: "Five minutes with..." Buck Consultants' Jacquie Walker

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:06:00 GMT

As the kick off to a new weekly series of podcasts, "Five minutes with…" we interviewed Jacquie Walker, a principal in Buck Consultants' Toronto office, who was the only Canadian on Consulting Magazine's recently released 2008 list of Top 25 Consultants.

Employers wrestle with cost control

Fri, 30 May 2008 19:14:00 GMT

Containing costs, managing risk and volatility, workforce planning and how to effectively communicate the value proposition to employees - these are the top issues Canadian benefit plan sponsors are wrestling with today, say leaders of eight top consulting firms who recently participated in a "virtual roundtable" with EBNC.

Benchmarking the best of breed

Fri, 30 May 2008 19:03:00 GMT

Both Canada and the U.S. can learn from the experience of Australia, the U.K. and continental Europe, where blended public/private health care systems effectively deliver universal health care coverage, according to research for a new book recently released by Aon Consulting.