The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce is prioritizing accessibility and inclusion in its new offices at CIBC Square in downtown Toronto. “The building was formally announced in spring 2017, with design research starting shortly after that included consultation with 6,000 employees,” says Claudette Knight, vice-president of workplace design and transformation at CIBC. “The results of that […]
Employers requiring workers with disabilities to return to the office should increase flexibility and regularly check in with these employees to make the transition as smooth as possible, says Farzeen Mawji, national practice leader in inclusion and diversity at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Remote and hybrid working arrangements proved beneficial for many employees with […]
As the coronavirus crisis moves into an endemic phase, employers are diligently rebuilding their workplaces to suit the new working environment that’s emerged from this cataclysmic disruption. In the meantime, Canadians are facing the rising cost of living and trying to balance the responsibilities in their work and family lives. In the face of all […]
Ten years ago, while BlackBerry Ltd. was moving from its head office near the University of Waterloo campus to a complex of three office buildings in the city, it took the opportunity to use feedback from employees to influence how it built its new space. A wellness room and a spirituality room were among the requests […]
Two-fifths (42 per cent) of Canadian employers say they anticipate obstacles related to recruiting and retaining skilled employees over the next three months, according to a new report by Statistics Canada. The report found more than half of employers in retail trade (53 per cent), construction (52 per cent), accommodation and food services (51 per […]
The vast majority (87 per cent) of small- and medium-sized employers agreed employee mental health is very important to the success of their business, according to a new survey by the Business Development Bank of Canada. The survey, which polled 750 owners of SMEs, found nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) currently place a high priority on […]
Fluor Canada Ltd.’s manager of Indigenous relations and DEI discusses the post-coronavirus pandemic workplace, employee resource groups and fishing. Q: What top challenges do you face in your role? A: Employee engagement can be challenging in the post-[coronavirus] pandemic hybrid working model. We’ve come out of a strictly work-from-home circumstance to a hybrid model and, […]
Half (52 per cent) of Canadian employees say their employer hasn’t communicated plans for remote working beyond 2023, while 35 per cent of employers say they’ve communicated at least some guidelines, according to a new survey by the Angus Reid Institute on behalf of Staples Canada. The survey, which polled more than 1,000 workers and […]
The Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan’s response to the coronavirus pandemic led to a win in the Coronavirus and benefits category for an employer with fewer than 1,000 employees at Benefits Canada‘s 2022 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 18. When the pandemic was declared in March 2020, the organization quickly responded with measures such as […]
An article on Ontario’s incoming electronic monitoring policy was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Ontario’s electronic monitoring policy ensures employer transparency: lawyer 2. Expert panel: How employers, employees can mitigate workplace microaggressions 3. Majority of plan sponsors, plan members view their health benefits […]