A new year is bringing back old issues for employers and employees alike. The rise of the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus variant meant many students once again switched to online schooling. And while some schools across Canada are now reopening, employers continue to use a combination of flexible schedules and benefits offerings to support working […]
With the Omicron coronavirus variant prompting school closures and a return to remote learning in several provinces, flexibility is key for employers supporting parents of school-age children, says Kim Siddall, vice-president of enterprise consulting for the west at People Corporation. “This means being flexible with the changing environment, because things are shifting without a lot […]
Hootsuite Inc.’s director of total rewards talks benefits in a remote working environment, the four pillars of wellness and recharging through physical activity. Q: What top challenges do you face in your role? A: Hootsuite is very big on diversity, equity and inclusion and we operate in multiple countries, so it’s a balance of finding […]
KPMG in Canada is supporting its transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse employees with a new gender affirmation policy. Stephanie Braid, director of inclusion, diversity and equity at KPMG in Canada, says the policy provides employees who are in the process of affirming their gender with a complete support plan, including how to announce a name change […]
Employees of the municipal government of East Kootenay, B.C., are staying active during their workday through a new physical wellness program. The program, run by fitness organization ParticipACTION, allows employers to create teams of employees to take part in daily self-managed fitness routines and a series of Canada-wide challenges throughout the year, the latter of […]
Contract negotiations are continuing between Chartwell Master Care and the union representing employees at an Ottawa-area retirement home, after the employer proposed cuts to paid sick days and changes to bereavement leave. The proposed cuts at Chartwell Stonehaven include a reduced annual cap on sick days — from 12 to six — for full-time employees, […]
By encouraging employees to be their authentic selves at work, pension plans can make better investment decisions, says Adrian Mitchell, vice-president of public equities at the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan. “I think having some out LGBTQ people around demonstrates to everyone else it’s safe to be who you are. We’re going to make better […]
Employers are facing a growing number of legal considerations as they continually adapt policies amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to a recent webinar hosted by Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie. In Ontario, there’s been a substantial increase in workplace inspections through that province’s occupational health and safety act, said Ted Kovacs, a partner at […]
With President-elect Joe Biden officially becoming the 46th U.S. president today, institutional investors are preparing for a return to traditional governance and increased market stability. While markets don’t often respond favourably to a change in administration, the return to “normality and transparency” in Biden’s policy and governing style will act as a counterbalance, says Matthew […]