from global recruitment firm Robert Half Finance & Accounting,
92 per cent of CFOs in Canada said their companies foot the
bill for some or all costs for staff to obtain professional certifications.
Ninety-three per cent provide full or partial support to
maintain credentials.
Executives reported bottom-line benefits from this incentive,
with increased productivity (40 per cent) and enhanced retention
efforts (30 per cent) topping the list. CFOs also said that providing
financial assistance for employees’ professional development
brings in additional revenue, contributes to succession planning
and enhances information sharing among colleagues.
“Many employers provide support for continuing education
because they recognize how essential employees with up-to-date
skills and industry knowledge are to the success of their business,”
said Greg Scileppi, president of international staffing operations
at Robert Half. “Companies should make an effort to promote
learning opportunities to their teams and in the hiring process.
For top professionals, skill development is key to career advancement
and they are drawn to organizations that prioritize employee
growth and invest in their ongoing education.
“For workers, an active interest in professional development
can help them stand out as adaptable and open to new challenges
and responsibilities. When requesting learning support
from your manager, come prepared to show how the additional
expertise will have a positive impact on your role, career and the
organization overall.”
JOB APPLICANTS DON’T MEET
SKILLS REQUIREMENTS
In new research from global staffing firm Robert Half, HR managers
in Canada said 45 per cent of resumes they receive, on average,
are from candidates who don’t meet job requirements. In a separate
survey of Canadian workers, 76 per cent admitted they would
submit for a role when they don’t match all the qualifications.
Luckily for applicants, 86 per cent of HR managers reported
their company is open to hiring an employee whose skills can be
developed through training. In fact, 58 per cent of employees have
been offered a job when they didn’t match the exact qualifications.
“Companies that approach hiring requirements with some
flexibility open themselves up to a broader pool of talented candidates
who otherwise may have been overlooked,” said Greg
Scileppi, president of international staffing operations at Robert
Half. “While core competencies remain important, identify applicants
who are agile learners, eager to expand their skillset and who
take a proactive approach to professional improvement – they will
likely be more motivated to find new ways to adapt and innovate
within the role and provide greater value and commitment to the
business in the long-term.”
EXTRA WEEKS OF PARENTAL
BENEFITS AVAILABLE
In an effort to encourage more parents to share the work of raising
their children more equally, the Government of Canada launched
the parental sharing benefit.
The new measure is available to parents, including adoptive
or same-sex parents, for a child born or placed for the purpose
of adoption on or after March 17, 2019 – as long as they are
eligible for and share their Employment Insurance parental benefits.
When parents agree to do so, they will benefit from one of
the following:
■■ Five additional weeks of parental benefits when choosing the
standard option; or
■■ Eight additional weeks for those who choose the extended option.
Corresponding changes to the Canada Labour Code have
also been made to ensure that federally regulated private-sector
employees have the right to take leave while receiving the parental
sharing benefit without fear of losing their job. n
news
zinkevych/123RF
In an effort to encourage
more parents to share the
work of raising their children
more equally, the Government
of Canada launched the
parental sharing benefit
10 ❚ APRIL 2019 ❚ HR PROFESSIONAL
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