Recent releases

Spotlight case study

Since 2021, similar to other organizations, Wajax has experienced some fluctuation with voluntary turnover rates. Although turnover has declined since 2023, it remains a challenge they wanted to address.

November 24, 2025  •  10-min read

Spotlight report

Flexibility at work encompasses both when and where work happens. As the nature of work evolves, organizations and employees are moving beyond rigid schedules, exploring hybrid approaches that balance structure with flexibility.

May 6, 2025  •  10-min read

Spotlight report

The truth is that returning to the office is not a simple reversal to the pre-pandemic world. The workplace has evolved, employees’ expectations have shifted, and the very dynamics of work has fundamentally changed. Just as we could not fully predict or prepare for the impact of the shift to remote work, we are still learning about how to navigate these transitions back to the office.

April 8, 2025  •  12-min read

Spotlight case study

Enbridge Inc. has a history of using employee data to inform decision-making, beginning in 2017. Over the years, the company steadily evolved its data collection processes, building on previous efforts to further enhance its listening strategy and better understand the employee experience.

January 23, 2025  •  10-min read

Spotlight report

The stated purpose of pay transparency legislation is to increase the visibility of pay practices and dismantle unfair or discriminatory compensation policies such as gender-based pay discrimination. At a basic level, such legislation requires employers to include salary or pay ranges in job postings.

October 22, 2024  •  13-min read

Spotight case study

In 2021, while investigating the CEO succession plan, Parkland’s Board of Directors discovered large cracks in how succession-related decisions were being made. At its core, the issue was that the HR team lacked the insights needed to accurately identify succession candidates and respond to the Board’s inquiries about managing transitions within the executive team.

September 16, 2024  •  14-min read

Spotlight report

Business decisions, including those that directly impact employees, should be firmly rooted in data-based evidence. Recognizing this, more human resources (HR) professionals are using employee and organizational data (e.g., performance ratings, absenteeism, and turnover rates) to inform their decision-making processes, policies, and procedures.

July 4, 2024  •  10-min read


Research in Detail

This research looks at performance-driven results-based work (RBW) models as a possible strategy for organizations looking for new ways to enhance productivity and engagement to achieve better results.

Takeaways

While many factors contribute to an organization’s overall success, what matters most are the people. For an organization to succeed in the long run, whether success is measured by workplace well-being, attraction and retention, productivity, or revenue targets, the key ingredient is ensuring that employees are engaged, motivated, physically and mentally well, and ready to bring the best version of themselves to work.

This series will help professionals working in human resources, workplace health and wellness, and EDI stay abreast of what’s new and current in their respective fields. It will highlight action-focused initiatives that organizations can implement to improve attraction and retention, employee well-being and, ultimately, productivity.


About the Series

This series explores trending topics in human resources (HR) using two methods: spotlight reports and case studies. The spotlight reports are short, easily digestible pieces that examine best practices in the HR space, including flexible work arrangements, inclusive practices, actions that support workplace mental health, and ways to support retirement-age workers.

The case studies will highlight various Canadian organizations that have adopted these best practices and examine how, in doing so, they have improved their workplace’s diversity, wellbeing, and productivity.

The Human Resources Spotlight series has been produced since June 2023.

Methodology

The Human Resources Spotlight series combines evidence, employer insights, and real-world examples to show how Canadian organizations are adapting to change and staying competitive. Each report is designed to highlight emerging approaches that enhance the employee experience, strengthen the value proposition, and drive better business outcomes.  

Research in this series is rooted in environmental scans and literature reviews to illustrate current trends and leading practices across Canada and beyond. Many Spotlights also include survey data from Canadian employers, helping us capture organizational perspectives, priorities, and experiences across a range of HR topics. These findings provide a directional view of what employers are implementing or considering to help them remain at the forefront of workplace innovation.  

In addition to research-based reports, the series includes case studies that focus on a single organization and highlight what makes their approach unique, how they implemented it, and the outcomes. Case studies are informed by interviews, focus groups, and internal documentation to create a well-rounded picture of the initiative and lessons that other employers may apply.  

Together, this series offers a blend of data, insight, and narrative, helping Canadian workplaces learn from one another and build the next generation of HR practice.


Become a Survey Participant

Sign-up to be notified when the Human Resources Spotlight survey is available for participation next year. Participation allows you to receive the next issue of Human Resources Spotlight for free.

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