Third-party HR firm to handle review of compensation regime, including performance pay
Despite laying off workers earlier this year, the board of directors for CBC and Radio-Canada has approved bonuses for some staff for work they did in the most recent fiscal year.
A total of 1,194 eligible employees were paid out bonuses for 2023-24 fiscal year, according to a report from The Canadian Press (CP).
The company, however, did not detail the exact amount as spokesman Leon Mar said in a statement that the information is part of "internal financial operations,” according to the report.
CBC has said the money is performance pay and counts toward some employees' total compensation, as stipulated by contracts that promise payouts when certain company goals are met, according to the report.
However, in December, the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage called out the planned bonuses to CBC executives after the public broadcaster announced that it plans to cut jobs.
"Given the job cuts announced at CBC/Radio-Canada for the year 2024, it would be inappropriate for the CBC to grant bonuses to executive members," the committee said in Parliament back then.
In fiscal 2023-2024, CBC laid off 141 employees and eliminated 205 vacant positions. In December, the employer said it was set to cut 600 jobs, eliminate 200 vacancies and cut $40 million in production costs to deal with a projected $125-million shortfall at that time, according to the CP report.
Compensation regime will be reviewed
Meanwhile, the CBC leadership recognized the views of those who are opposed to the employer giving out bonuses amid job cuts.
"The board and the senior executive team acknowledge the views expressed by some that performance pay should not be awarded at CBC/Radio-Canada in times of financial pressures and associated workforce reductions," the board said in a letter dated June 25, according to the CP report published on CTV News.
The board said it would launch a review of its compensation regime, including performance pay, for future years.
"This review will be conducted by a third-party human resources consulting firm, and recommendations to the board will be shared with the public," the board said, according to the report.
