In order to encourage and promote best practices in human resources within the retail sector, the Retail Council of Quebec was delighted to unveil a day of conferences and HR workshops specially designed for the industry. This event took place on April 17th at the Palais des congrès in Montreal, from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

The aim of this day was to create a platform for exchange and learning bringing together key players in the industry, renowned experts, and experienced HR professionals. The main objective was to build a space conducive to discovering the latest trends, innovative strategies, and effective solutions in human capital management. It also aimed to assist retailers in overcoming specific HR challenges in the sector, particularly in the context of labor shortages, which, as a reminder, represented more than 29,000 positions to be filled in the sector.

Already well underway, the year 2024 presents numerous challenges for employers in the retail sector. While businesses have thrived in a favorable market over the past two years, despite challenges related to labor shortages, they must now adapt to a more uncertain market punctuated by upheavals while ensuring the retention and loyalty of their employees.

How to manage compensation in such a context? During this conference, we will present:

• Salary forecasts for 2024;
• Priorities and trends in total compensation.

At this conference, Détail Québec and Rémunia will unveil the results of the survey on salary increase forecasts for 2024 in the retail sector. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to obtain exclusive information on salary developments in the industry.

 Jacques Gascon, Compensation Consultant, Rémunia

Jacques Gascon, M. Sc., CRHA, has been involved in the fascinating world of compensation for nearly 20 years. As a consultant at his own firm, Rémunia, Jacques assists clients operating in various sectors, including the retail sector. Focused on results, he addresses compensation challenges from a global perspective with a constant concern for resources, both human and financial. His combined experience in both corporate and consulting environments has provided him with a solid understanding of operational aspects and challenges, enabling him to offer pragmatic solutions based on the best trends and practices in compensation. Jacques also teaches compensation management at the École des sciences de la gestion at UQAM.

In this presentation, Me Brassard-Morissette and Me Audrée Dufresne will discuss proposed legislative amendments currently before the National Assembly to prevent and combat psychological harassment and sexual violence in the workplace. The speakers will also discuss the potential impact of the proposed amendments on employers.

Joël Brassard-Morissette, Lawyer and partner, Cain Lamarre

A member of the Quebec Bar since 2009, M Joël Brassard-Morissette is a lawyer in the Montreal office. After obtaining his law degree from the University of Sherbrooke, he worked as a lawyer in the Saguenay region for several years. He then moved closer to the metropolis, where he acquired significant experience in strategic advice to small and medium-sized businesses and large corporations. Over the years, he has developed specialized expertise in labour and employment law, and occupational health and safety, making him a real asset to our Labour and Employment Group. His files deal with occupational health and safety, financing, collective labour relations, individual labour relations, and pay equity.

Audrée Dufresne, Lawyer and partner, Cain Lamarre

Audrée Dufresne has been representing and advising employers on labor and employment law and workers’ compensation matters for more than 12 years. She brings experience in both private practice and corporate legal departments to her vision of serving clients, balancing the accessibility and strategic thinking of in-house legal counsel with the expertise of specialized external counsel.

Ms. Dufresne is known for her practical approach and her ability to work seamlessly with your company’s objectives. She is especially dedicated to guiding her clients through complex disability and employment injury cases.

She offers a wide array of services, from consulting on specific questions about how to interpret and enforce collective agreements to representing clients in civil and labor courts.

Talent shortage, high turnover rates, multisite complexity… Retail businesses face unique recruitment challenges. In this context, innovative and robust solutions are essential to transform your obstacles into resounding successes! Marc-André Nataf unveils a strategy based on three pillars:

• Employer branding: why is it important and how can you showcase it? Concrete examples and tips.
• Candidate experience: what elements influence the candidate’s application experience and its impact on their likelihood to apply? How can it be improved? Easily implementable reflections and actions.
• Collaborative recruitment: what is it and how can it be implemented? Best practices to embody it effectively. Your store managers will thank you!

Join us for this enriching conference and leave with innovative ideas and practical solutions to take your multisite recruitment to the next level!

Marc-André Nataf, CEO, Cegid North America

A graduate of Neoma Business School, Marc-André Nataf began his career in the fast-moving consumer goods industry and held the position of marketing director at Unilever. In 2000, he launched his first startup in the eCommerce sector before co-founding Externis, a SaaS software company, where he served as CEO for 10 years. Continuing his journey, Marc-André has been assisting companies in their digital transformation through the activities of his company, Digital & Beyond.

In 2018, Marc-André assumed the general management of Cegid’s Montreal office, a SaaS software creator specializing in talent and human resources management. In recent years, Marc-André and his team have specialized in recruitment issues and challenges, particularly in decentralized recruitment for multisite businesses such as retail stores.

Do you know that 95% of people trust their friends more than any other source of information? Imagine the impact when these “friends” are… your own employees!

In this dynamic conference, delve into the heart of a revolution in public relations. We will explore how employees’ organic testimonials can propel an organization’s visibility to unprecedented heights. Discover how to transform your employees into authentic ambassadors, conveying a powerful and credible message.

Get ready for a series of captivating examples from companies, both small and large budgets, that have mastered the art of mobilizing their teams for maximum impact. We will unveil the secrets of internal communication transformed into an ultra-effective public relations weapon. An exciting exploration of the human impact in corporate storytelling, and you are at the forefront to discover it all!

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the power of employees as brand ambassadors
• Strategies to mobilize employees in public relations
• Learning through case studies and real-life examples

Grabriel Tremblay, Director of Innovation in HR Marketing, Sept24

Passionate about everything related to HR marketing and communications, Gabriel helps Canadian and international companies make their employer brand the cornerstone of their corporate culture. Holding two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Sherbrooke—one in teaching and the other in communications—he has contributed to nearly a hundred employer brand and employee experience projects, in addition to facilitating around 300 focus groups since joining sept24 in 2016.

An experienced speaker, Gabriel has presented at more than 75 prestigious conferences, including the World Employer Branding Day in Amsterdam. Furthermore, he is a certified trainer at Infopresse, where he oversaw the HR marketing certification for four years, working with hundreds of organizations.