The YA call centre in Chatham isn't losing any sleep over the minimum wage hike.
The province announced Tuesday morning that the minimum wage in Ontario is going up to $14/hour starting January 1, 2018, and $15/hour beginning New Year's Day of 2019.
Call Centre Director Tina Baeyens admits the wage increase will have an impact but says it will also help attract good employees and decrease turnover.
"YA is looking to be a perceived employer of choice in Chatham-Kent. Chatham is our destination so anything that can allow us to help us in continuing to be that employer of choice, we view in a positive way," says Baeyens.
The company plans to hire 225 more call centre associates and managers, nearly tripling its workforce in Chatham-Kent by the end of June.
Baeyens says expansion plans continue despite the hike in minimum wage.
"We've been hearing about the minimum wage increase for almost about a year now, conversations of it going to $15 an hour. So, as an employer this is something we've taken into advisement as we've considered our expansion in the past as well as continued growth within Canada," Baeyens says.
Baeyens says it's too early to say if the extra cost of doing business will be passed on to their customers.
"YA wants to be offering competitive global marketing solutions to our clients that really help them to engage with their customers and grow their overall portfolio. We're looking at it from a win-win perspective," says Baeyens.
