So I am back now, this second week of April, without excuses. I should have written more since my last update, but did not. I now have so much more to write about and update you on.

First and foremost, I have spent the past couple of weeks working with the executives at my company and finalizing the sale of the corporation. It was just the end of last week that we “handed over the keys”, as they say. While I will reserve the right to write more on my experiences around the transaction later, it has been, suffice to say, a roller coaster experience filled with great learning and personal triumphs. It is always challenging to write this HR blog and want to share experiences without breaching confidentiality, but there will be key HR learnings that I will be able to and will continue to share in the coming days.

A notable item in the news since my last update has been the increase to minimum wage in Ontario last Tuesday to $9.50/hr (for regular adult wages). While this is great for employees, families and low income earners, it likely has little effect on a lot of corporate entities. However, the timing is likely also extremely challenging and stressful for a lot of small businesses in Ontario which may employ workers at minimum wage and provide them with increased expenses to the bottom line during already turbulent economic times. So, while these companies are likely to be experiencing competitive pressures, downward pricing and decreased sales, they are forced to increase wages with likely little increase to productivity and positive impact on the bottom line. As you can see, I am somewhat mixed on this topic. While the effects of an increase to minimum wage will likely have positive long term economic impacts as those dollars re-renter the economy through increased spending, the short term effects to struggling small businesses right now are likely greater that would otherwise have been during times of strong markets.

We’ve also heard about the introduction of the HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) in Ontario to be phased in July 1, 2010, to replace the now concurrently levied GST and PST taxes. While the provincial government spews the benefits of harmonization and how it will be great for business in the province, this is another topic I digest with mixed emotion. Having a young family at home, I understand that items such as diapers, formula, groceries, etc will now be subject to both taxes under the HST while they previously were subject to exemptions. Then there is the talk about new home sales – to face an 8% increase (yes, that’s $40,000 on a $500,000 home!!!). Talk is that homes $400K and under will be exempt from the additional PST, however, have you seen a new home sell for less than $400K in the GTA? How will these policies affect us in HR? – Everything from ramp up time to train or hire finance staff in applying the new rules, dealing with employees who may need to purchase homes in less expensive areas commute to work from areas further from work (or ask to telecommute, etc), potential increase to cost in raw materials and need to make overall business cost/staffing reductions, and so on. As I always present the issues, just something to think about as it relates to your business and the potential impacts on your employees.

Finally, I saw in the news that Google has announced Street View in Canada. While personal privacy may be of concern to you, it will be interesting how that may affect business concerns about privacy. It may prompt HR professionals to consider what sort of employee spaces may be viewable from the street (eating areas, smoking areas, parking lots). What about pictures snapped of the street at the front of your building while employees are coming to work, clients are entering the front door, or job candidates are coming in for an interview. While the odds of being photographed are extremely low, and an issue arising out of it is even less likely, HR professionals should consider the impacts on employee privacy and where risks may or may not exist. While I think the technology is amazing and love the concept of Street View, I believe there are and have been many court challenges in the United States on the service as it currently relates to the privacy of American citizens.