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HR Insights For the Workplace

Ontario’s Vaccine Passport is Near – What Employers Need to Know

Ontario is set to roll out it’s very own proof of vaccination system effective September 22, 2021 as announced by the government of Ontario on September 1, 2021. What exactly...

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) – Key Facts for Employers

The proposed legislation (Bill C-14) on the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) first announced back in late March has now been enacted as of April 11, 2020. Employers can now...

Cannabis in the Workplace – Key Facts for Employers

As of October 17, 2018, the sale, possession and use of recreational cannabis (also known as marijuana, pot, weed or hash) is legalized across Canada. What exactly does this mean...

boy squeezing face between both hands looking shocked

Costly Termination Mistakes to Avoid

From honeymoon to divorce, the latter stage – inarguably, poses the most risk to an employer from a reputational and litigation perspective. As a final chapter to the Small Business...

a red clock in a field of grass representing overtime

Overtime Mishaps to Avoid

BMO and Scotiabank made headlines recently when they settled their overtime class-action lawsuits. It came at a steep cost though. Scotiabank paid nearly $40 million plus another $12.5 million in...

Costly mistake of business person looking at piggy bank flying away with some balloon

Small Business HR Mistakes (Part 2) – What You Don’t Know Can Cost You

Unlike large corporations, small medium enterprises (SMEs) simply don’t have the luxury of deep pockets, resources and expertise at their disposal. They are challenged to come up with creative solutions...

money with wings flying away from man crying

Small Business HR Mistakes (Part 1) – What You Don’t Know Can Cost You

In the world of small medium enterprises (SMEs), it is not uncommon to find companies operating without HR expertise despite employing upto hundreds of staff in some cases. These organizations...

Exit sign amidst a dark background representing termination

Termination Clauses in Employment Contracts

In recent years, restricting an employee’s severance entitlements to only statutory minimums via termination clauses became common practice for many employers. The main advantage – a cost-saving measure to help...

Workplace investigation file folder with pen - part 3

Inside HR (Part 3) – Challenges with Internal Workplace Investigations

In this final part of the internal workplace investigation series, let’s now examine the last set of risks highlighted in red below. If you are new to this series and...

Workplace investigation file folder with pen - part 2

Inside HR (Part 2) – Challenges with Internal Workplace Investigations

In continuation from my last post, let’s examine the next set of challenges in conducting internal investigations through a HR lens. Risk #1: Internal politics skewing outcome of investigation...

Workplace investigation file folder with pen

Inside HR (Part 1) – Challenges with Internal Workplace Investigations

When employers are faced with allegations of employee misconduct, workplace investigations offer a balanced approach for companies to make informed people decisions. This is especially critical in cases where there...

Office building of CBC where Jian Ghomeshi works

Workplace Harassment: Lessons from CBC on What Not To Do

It’s out! The investigation findings regarding Jian Ghomeshi’s case has been released.To no surprise, the report revealed a very toxic workplace inside CBC whereby flagrant disrespect and abuse of power...

Aging Workforce: Employer Strategies for Future Prosperity

With the looming shift in demographics happening within Ontario workplaces, employers need to start critically assessing their HR needs in order to better prepare themselves for an aging workforce. FACTS:...

Employer Obligations – Workplace Violence & Harassment (Bill 168 & Bill 132)

Between the media spotlight surrounding the Jian Ghomeshi/CBC case, the Liberal MPs indiscretions on Parliament Hill and the hefty damage awards (over $400,000) levied against Walmart Canada for failing to...