How to read a temp bill rate

What is inside a bill rate

• Wages. What the worker is paid per hour.
• Statutory employer costs. The employer's share of CPP and EI, WSIB premiums, and other payroll charges the employer must pay.
• Vacation and public holiday pay. Paid time the worker earns and the employer funds.
• Payroll and administration. Running payroll, remittances, onboarding and paperwork.
• Agency margin. Recruiting, screening, replacements and the agency's profit.

A worked example

These numbers are hypothetical and round, to show the structure only. They are not current rates or typical markups.

Say a worker is paid $20.00 per hour. On top of that, imagine statutory costs and paid time add $3.00 per hour, and payroll and administration add $1.00. That is a $24.00 cost base. The agency then adds its margin, for example $4.00, so the bill rate is $28.00 per hour. Different agencies split these pieces differently, so the total is what you compare.

Comparing two quotes fairly

• Confirm both are all-in. An all-in rate covers wages, payroll, statutory costs, WSIB and vacation pay, with no add-ons later.
• Check the same wage is assumed. A lower bill rate can simply mean a lower wage, which can mean weaker candidates.
• Ask about overtime, public holidays and shift premiums, and how each is billed.
• Ask what is charged for cancellations, minimum hours and short notice.

What employer of record means in practice

When an agency is the employer of record, the worker is on the agency's payroll. The agency pays the wages, makes the remittances, carries workers' compensation coverage and handles the paperwork. You direct the daily work. That moves payroll administration and compliance off your books. It does not remove your responsibility for a safe workplace.

Temp-to-perm conversion

If you might hire the worker directly, ask before you sign:

• After how many hours can you convert with no additional fee?
• Is there a fee if you convert earlier, and how is it calculated?
• Does the same term apply to every worker, or only some?

Red flags

• A rate that is far below the others with no explanation.
• Vague answers on who pays WSIB and statutory costs.
• Fees that appear on the invoice but not in the quote.
• No written terms for conversion or replacements.

MapleGate quotes one all-in hourly rate and acts as employer of record for temporary and contract work. We confirm exact rates in writing before work starts. See how we charge, or request talent.