A trio of conflicting decisions from Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice has left employers confused about a possible onslaught of wrongful dismissal lawsuits stemming from temporary layoffs due to the coronavirus pandemic. The confusion arises because judges have come to different conclusions about Ontario’s infectious disease emergency leave regulation, which provides that temporary layoffs in […]
Two human resources experts weigh in on the future of white-collar work once the coronavirus crisis is under control. Carolyn Byer, head of HR for Microsoft Canada When the coronavirus pandemic hit, many employers quickly pivoted their operations, embracing innovation and adopting a fully remote model. Despite the continued uncertainty of the pandemic and the […]
Since the global coronavirus pandemic prompted a move to remote working, white-collar employees are looking at jurisdictions from Nova Scotia to Bermuda, enticed by a work location that truly fits their lifestyle. And many employers are allowing the option, even post-pandemic, with companies planning out what return to work looks like and how remote work […]
Benefits Canada is extending the deadline for entering the 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards to Wednesday, July 7. The annual awards, which will be held virtually on Oct. 14, recognize employers and plan sponsors that are leading the way with their approaches to supporting the mental, physical and financial well-being of their employees. Enter the 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards today. […]
Recognition in not one, but two categories at Benefits Canada‘s 2020 Workplace Benefits Awards is helping get the word out to Scotiabank employees that the bank is a leading employer when it comes to benefits offerings, says Ayman Alvi, director of global benefits. Read: Who are the winners of the 2020 Workplace Benefits Awards? “We participated in the Workplace […]
Canadians have weathered two waves of the coronavirus pandemic and are now working their way through the third. But what happens when the fourth wave — of psychological trauma, economic injury and burnout — arrives? One half of Canadians said they’d experienced worsening mental-health challenges during the pandemic, according to an April 2020 poll by […]
Just before the coronavirus pandemic arrived in Canada, Scotiabank made a pretty significant change to how it communicated about its benefits plans and programs with employees. With so much information available to employees, the bank realized it might not necessarily be easy to digest or understand, said Ayman Alvi, Scotiabank’s director of global benefits, during Benefits […]
Scotiabank’s director of global benefits talks navigating the coronavirus pandemic, enhancing the employee experience and planning for the post-pandemic workplace. Q: What top challenges do you face in your role? A: Primary challenges are ensuring we’re evolving our programs to meet the needs of a diverse and changing workforce and communicating these programs clearly. We […]
The Canadian government is providing more employers with free rapid tests for workplace coronavirus screenings. According to a press release, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce will enable local chambers to distribute rapid tests to smaller employers, while in Ontario, small- and medium-sized employers in the province’s coronavirus hot spots can access the tests at Shoppers […]
Employees affected by the coronavirus in British Columbia will qualify for up to three days of paid sick leave under proposed legislation that Premier John Horgan expects will plug holes in a federal plan and lay the groundwork for a permanent program. Horgan says the program will bridge the gap for workers between the time they first feel […]