COVID-19 Director Pulse Survey (Hugessen Consulting)
December 18, 2020 - Hugessen Consulting recently conducted a Fall 2020 COVID-19 Director Pulse Survey to gather director views and corporate actions related to year-end incentive decision-making amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Download Director Pulse Survey PDF
The Future of Exec Compensation Plans (Semler Brossy)
December 4, 2020 - A discussion on the tangible impacts of previous crises on executive pay design and four areas where the pandemic is expected to have lasting effects.
The Director's Toolkit Tally Sheets
November, 2020 - As we approach the conclusion of calendar 2020, Board decision-making on executive compensation becomes top-of-mind. Hugessen’s latest article shows how the use of Tally Sheets can unveil the true value of executive compensation, and support directors in making well-informed decisions on executive pay.
Read Briefing (Hugessen Consulting)
US Incentive Plan Changes Due to COVID-19 (Semler Brossy and Winston & Strawn LLP)
October 24/July 24 2020 – Summary of specific incentive plan design changes made by US companies due to COVID-19.
ISS COVID-19 Compensation Policies FAQ
October 23, 2020 - ISS recently released its FAQ on the impact of COVID-19 on compensation plans, and provides forthcoming advice to issuers dealing with the economic ramifications of the pandemic. While the latest guidance suggests the possibility of ISS providing relief to issuers making certain adjustments to the compensation plan, the expectation for more fulsome disclosure of rationale is reinforced.
Read Briefing (Hugessen Consulting)
COVID-19 Economic Dashboard (C.D. Howe Institute)
This dashboard outlines several indicators of Canada’s economic activity and provides an overview of their fluctuations since the beginning of the pandemic, updated daily.
COVID-19 Director Pulse Survey (Hugessen Consulting)
September 12, 2020 - Hugessen Consulting recently conducted a Summer 2020 COVID-19 Director Pulse Survey to gather director views and corporate actions related to executive incentives amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Download Director Pulse Survey PDF
New Executive Compensation Strategies for Uncharted Waters (Torys)
July 22, 2020 – Executive compensation considerations for boards amid challenges arising from COVID-19.
The CEO moment: Leadership for a new era (McKinsey & Company)
July 21, 2020 – This article summarizes 4 leadership behaviours adopted by some CEOs during the COVID crisis that could have lasting benefits to organizations over time. The extent of which a CEO demonstrated some or all of these behaviours may contribute to a Board’s decision to apply discretion when evaluating CEO performance.
Canadian Summary of Executive and Board Pay Reductions (Hugessen Consulting)
July 20, 2020 – Inventory of publicly disclosed executive and director pay actions in response to COVID-19 in Canada.
Download Canadian Pay Reductions PDF
Human Capital Management: Pandemic Challenges and Opportunities (Semler Brossy)
June 5, 2020 – For boards, the pandemic is a major opportunity to work with management to build a competitive advantage through human capital investment
Federal Government's LEEFF Program
May 20, 2020 – Announcement of further details on the federal government assistance program for large organizations, including a $1 million cap on executive compensation.
HUGESSEN BRIEFING: The Responsible Use of Stock Option Exchange Programs
May 15, 2020 - This briefing discusses the concept and applicability of "value-for-value" stock option exchange programs.
Read Article about Stock Option Exchanges
COVID-19: Continuous Disclosure Obligations and Considerations for Issuers (CSA)
May 6, 2020 - Presentation outlining considerations for discussing the effects of the current COVID-19 pandemic when applying existing disclosure requirements.
US Summary of Executive and Board Pay Reductions (Semler Brossy)
May 1, 2020 – Inventory of publicly disclosed executive and director pay actions in response to COVID-19 in the US and live database in collaboration with The Conference Board and ESGAUGE Analytics.
Download US Pay Reductions PDF
View Live Database of Pay Reductions
COVID-19: Some Novel Advice to the Board (Blakes)
April 24, 2020 – Novel advice to boards on how best to discharge their fiduciary duty through the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 and Executive Pay: Initial Reactions and Responses (Semler Brossy)
April 21, 2020 – Results of a pulse survey on how US companies are responding (or waiting to respond) to the impact of COVID-19 on executive pay.
Webinar On Executive Compensation in the Time of COVID-19 (ICD & Hugessen Consulting)
April 9, 2020 – Hugessen's Georges Soaré and Scott Munn are joined by experienced director Carol Stephenson (General Motors, Maple Leaf Foods, Intact Financial) and ICD President Rahul Bhardwaj for an insightful discussion on making compensation decisions amidst the market volatility.
View Executive Compensation Webinar
ISS Provides Policy Application Guidance in Light of COVID-19 Pandemic (ISS)
April 8, 2020 – An outline of how ISS plans to apply its benchmark proxy voting policies over the coming months.
Download ISS Policy Application Guidance PDF
Coronavirus and Compensation: What Should Companies Do Now? (Semler Brossy)
March 26, 2020 – A practical guide on incentive compensation alternatives for companies who have and have not made year-end compensation decisions.
Read Article on Compensation Strategies
Investor Statement on Coronavirus Response
March 26, 2020 – A letter signed by 251 investors representing $6.4T USD in assets outlining recommendations to the business community on how to handle COVID-19.
Read Investor Statement on Coronavirus Response
Everything in Governance is Affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic. This is Glass Lewis’ Approach (Glass Lewis)
March 26, 2020 – An outline of expectations regarding COVID-19’s impact on several components of governance, as well as Glass Lewis’s approach to evaluating companies in a time of uncertainty.
Read Article on Glass Lewis’ Approach on Governance
Senate coronavirus bill would cut pay for executives making more than $3 million if they take a loan from taxpayers (CNBC)
March 26, 2020 – Outlines the $2T Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) and its potential impact on executive pay for those companies receiving assistance
Read Article on Executive Pay if they take loan from taxpayers
HUGESSEN BRIEFING: Executive Compensation in Unprecedented Times
March 23, 2020 – This briefing provides the implications, as Hugessen sees them, on executive compensation, and practical approaches for compensation committees.
Read Article about Executive Compensation
Staff Notice to Applicants, Listed Issuers, Securities Lawyers and Participating Organizations (TSX)
March 23, 2020 – Notice of temporary “blanket relief” from several provisions of the TSX Company Manual, including an extension of the timeframe in which issuers must hold their AGM.
Read Staff Notice to Applicants, Listed Issuers, Securities Lawyers and Participating Organizations
Canadian Securities Regulators to Provide Blanket Relief for Market Participants due to COVID-19 (CSA)
March 18, 2020 – Notice of 45-day extension for periodic filings normally required to be made on or before June 1, 2020.
Read Article About Relief for Market Participants due to COVID-19
Ten Considerations for Boards of Directors (Sidley Austin LLP, posted to Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance)
March 16, 2020 – High-level overview of the types of issues that boards of directors of both public and private companies may find relevant to focus on in the current environment.
Read Article About Ten Considerations for Boards of Directors