A quarter (26 per cent) of Canadian workers said the biggest downside of remote working is feeling isolated or missing out on the team environment, according to a new survey by staffing firm Robert Half Canada Inc. Other drawbacks included people abusing the benefit and not sticking to working hours (20 per cent); interpersonal relationships suffering because […]
A Quebec-based not-for-profit organization is suggesting a series of public policy proposals to encourage fathers in the province to take more parental leave and prompt employers to focus more on work-life balance. The Regroupement pour la valorisation de la paternité has identified five specific challenges faced by fathers. In the case of parental leave, it noted that fathers in […]
Walmart Inc. is introducing an education benefit for its employees in the United States and Puerto Rico, allowing workers to pursue degrees in business and supply chain management. “We’ve been very deliberate about our investment in our associates over the past few years,” wrote Erica Jones, senior manager of corporate communications, in an email to […]
Expanded leave of absence entitlements in British Columbia, including parental and compassionate leave, took effect at the end of May. The changes to the province’s Employment Standards Act allow mothers to start their maternity leave as early as 13 weeks before their expected due date, which is up from the previous 11 weeks. The province also […]
Almost 50 per cent of Canadian employers commonly give promotions without an increase in salary, according to a survey by OfficeTeam. The survey, which polled 300 human resources managers and more than 1,000 Canadian office workers older than 18, found that the number of employers offering promotions without salary hikes rose to 47 per cent this year […]
Life doesn’t always happen outside of business hours. Everyone experiences the challenges of managing elements of their personal lives while being physically and mentally present at work. Employers understand the importance of helping their workers manage work and life obligations, and many have policies and practices in place to help them attain that balance. In many ways, […]
Despite not yet announcing its election platform, Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party may have the greatest potential for affecting pensions and benefits in Ontario. “The Conservatives’ broad focus on balancing the budget, which may result in their rationalizing OHIP and delisting some services, represents the real impact potential in this election,” says Anneliesje Warner, a health […]
More than 85 per cent of Canadian organizations offer flexible working options to employees, according to a new survey by the Conference Board of Canada. The survey, which questioned more than 320 employers, found that among those that provide such arrangements, flexible hours (93 per cent) is the most commonly offered option, followed by part-time remote work (55 […]
Some organizations are unique. Their employees are genuinely excited to be at work and an undercurrent of energy and vitality permeates the air. They’ve transformed the workplace into a compelling experience and built a thriving workforce. This kind of environment doesn’t come easily; it must be deliberately designed, intentionally built and carefully managed. In an age of […]
More than 8,000 Starbucks stories and offices across the United States will close on Tuesday afternoon to host education and training sessions for employees on race, bias, diversity and inclusion. Last week, it shared a preview of its May 29 curriculum, noting this will set the foundation for a longer-term anti-bias, diversity, equity and inclusion effort. It worked with […]