/R E P E A T -- Morneau Shepell to present new research on salary and other trends in human resources at annual breakfast event/

Ontario organizations among the top in the country in prioritizing workplace health for 2016

OTTAWA, Sept. 17, 2015 /CNW/ - Morneau Shepell invites members of the media to attend a breakfast presentation of the national and regional findings of its annual survey of Trends in Human Resources.

As governments focus on balancing their budgets, lower-than-average salary increases are likely in the public sector. Salary increases in education are expected to be in the 1.9 per cent range, and only slightly higher at 2.1 per cent in other areas such as public administration, health care and social assistance.

Employers across Canada expect salaries to rise by an average of 2.5 per cent in 2016, which is down from the average 2.8 per cent salary increase expected for 2015.

Human resources leaders in Ontario will focus on improving engagement and productivity in 2016. Improving workplace health and engagement is listed as a top priority for 69 per cent of Ontario organizations and improving mental health in the workplace is listed as a top priority for 55 per cent of Ontario organizations, both above the national averages of 66 per cent and 45 per cent, respectively. 

The survey also identified some important changes in employer attitudes to retirement plans. In the past, sponsors of defined contribution pension plans left it up to their employees to fend for themselves when they retired. Poor decisions can have a very significant impact on retirement income, and plan sponsors are starting to take notice. About 27 per cent of sponsors in the survey said they are looking at providing payment options for retirees, or are already doing this.

Industry experts at the seminar will present the new research in detail, including regional variances and current challenges and opportunities being faced by human resources leaders.

Media interviews can be arranged.

Ottawa Event Details
What:   Breakfast seminar on the 33^rd edition of Morneau Shepell's annual survey of Trends in Human Resources
When: Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at 7:30-9:30 a.m. ET
Where: Fairmont Chateau Laurier, 1 Rideau Street, Ottawa – Map and Directions
Who:     The breakfast seminar will host a number of speakers, including:

• David Sturdee, Executive Vice President, Morneau Shepell
  • Executive host
• Jean-Paul Raymond, Partner, Morneau Shepell
  • Moderator
  • Topic: HR priorities and retirement
• Richard Béliveau, Partner, Compensation Consulting, Morneau Shepell
  • Topic: compensation
• Bill Howatt, Chief Research & Development Officer, Workforce Productivity, Morneau Shepell
  • Topic: workplace health and engagement
• Claudine Ducharme, Partner, Health and Benefits Consulting, Morneau Shepell
  • Topic : data analytics, and absence and disability

Breakfast seminars will be held throughout September in Toronto, Cambridge, Vancouver, Calgary, Halifax, Ottawa, Fredericton, St. John's, Montreal and Quebec City.   

Morneau Shepell's 33^rd annual Trends in Human Resources survey was conducted between mid-June and the end of July 2015, with input from organizations employing 640,000 people in Canada. The benchmark organizations represent a broad cross-section of industry sectors.

About Morneau Shepell Inc.

Morneau Shepell is the only human resources consulting and technology company that takes an integrative approach to employee assistance, health, benefits and retirement needs. The Company is the leading provider of employee and family assistance programs, the largest administrator of retirement and benefits plans and the largest provider of integrated absence management solutions in Canada. Through health and productivity, administrative, and retirement solutions, Morneau Shepell helps clients reduce costs, increase employee productivity and improve their competitive position. Established in 1966, Morneau Shepell serves approximately 20,000 clients, ranging from small businesses to some of the largest corporations and associations in North America. With almost 4,000 employees in offices across North America, Morneau Shepell provides services to organizations across Canada, in the United States, and around the globe. Morneau Shepell is a publicly-traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: MSI). For more information, visit morneaushepell.com.

SOURCE Morneau Shepell Inc.

For additional information or to RSVP, please contact: Nathan Gibson, Morneau Shepell, 416-390-2641, [email protected]; Heather MacDonald, Kaiser Lachance Communications, 647-725-2520 ext. 207, [email protected]