Author Archive - Beyond Rewards Inc

Beyond Rewards is a boutique firm offering a full suite of Human Resource, Safety, Workplace investigations, Accessibility Standards and Risk Management solutions, online training programs and customized face to face training for our clients. Several exceptional expert consultants led by Lynne Bard, HBa, CHRP, CES, President/Senior Consultant, will be blogging regularly on First Reference Talks on behalf of Beyond Rewards Inc. Read more here.

Pandemic planning in the workplace

February 21, 2020 Beyond Rewards Inc Health and Safety, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, 0

It is important to ensure that your organization is prepared for potential threats through pandemic planning. In doing so, the protection of your employees is ensured when a potential threat arises. Pandemics are the spreading of a new disease; without proper planning a pandemic can affect multiple employees and increase safety risks.

employment law, health and safety policy, pandemic, Pandemic Plan, pandemic planning

Bullying in the workplace

January 24, 2020 Beyond Rewards Inc Employee Relations, Health and Safety, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Human Rights, Training and Development, 0

Bullying is usually seen as acts or verbal comments that could “mentally” hurt or isolate a person in the workplace. Sometimes, bullying can involve negative physical contact as well. Bullying usually involves repeated incidents or a pattern of behaviour that is intended to intimidate a particular person or group of people.

bullying, bullying in the workplace, employment law, harassment, workplace violence

Ontario new health and safety legislation 2020

December 20, 2019 Beyond Rewards Inc Health and Safety, Human Resources, 0

Two regulations under OHSA (Occupational Health and Safety Act) come to effect January 1, 2020. These changes are only in the Ontario legislation. The first regulation Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents (Reg 883/90), and the second Designated Substances (Reg 490/09).

Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents, Designated Substances, employment law, health and safety legislation, personal protective equipment

2020 influenza

November 22, 2019 Beyond Rewards Inc Health and Safety, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Training and Development, 0

Flu season generally runs from October to April each year. The Flu is a respiratory (i.e., nose, throat, and lung) infection that can be caused by a variety of viruses. For most people, the Flu lasts 1 to 2 weeks. Ensure that your workplace is prepared for this flu season to ensure the protection of your workers.

disease prevention, employment law, flu prevention procedures, flu season, flu shot, influenza, workplace policies

What does the legalization of cannabis edibles in Canada mean for workplaces?

October 23, 2019 Beyond Rewards Inc Employee Relations, Health and Safety, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Training and Development, 0

With Cannabis being originally legalized in Canada on October 17, 2018, a year later on the same date, Cannabis edibles have been legalized in Canada. The legalization of Cannabis edibles in Canada permit edibles to be sold and consumed effective October 17, 2019.

alcohol and drug policy, alcohol and drug use in the workplace, cannabis, cannabis edibles, Cannabis legalization, employment law

Boosting safety performance in the workplace

September 18, 2019 Beyond Rewards Inc Employment/Labour Standards, Health and Safety, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Training and Development, 0

Safety program implementation is crucial within the workplace, but without the ongoing cooperation of employees to uphold safety performance, safety hazards become a greater risk.

emergency plan, emergency response plan, employment law, safety performance

New accessibility legislation: The Accessible Canada Act

August 21, 2019 Beyond Rewards Inc Accessibility Standards, Human Resources, Human Rights, Penalties and Fines, 0

On June 21st, 2019, the Accessible Canada Act received royal assent. This new federal accessibility legislation in Canada aims to achieve the goal of a barrier-free Canada by the year 2040.

accessibility, Accessible Canada Act, employment law, federal accessibility legislation

Preventing Impairment in the Workplace

July 24, 2019 Beyond Rewards Inc Employee Relations, Health and Safety, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, 0

How can you prevent impairment in the workplace with cannabis usage on the rise due to its legalization?

cannabis, cannabis in the workplace, employment law, impairment, marijuana, marijuana in the workplace, preventing impairment, risk of impairment

Biohazard control in your workplace

June 19, 2019 Beyond Rewards Inc Employee Relations, Health and Safety, Human Resources, 0

Workplaces have a responsibility to identify hazards in the workplace. A hazard is any situation, condition or thing that may be dangerous to the safety or health of workers.

employment law, health hazards, preventative measures

Do you have a fit for duty program in your workplace?

May 22, 2019 Beyond Rewards Inc Employee Relations, Health and Safety, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Training and Development, 0

To be committed to the health, safety and wellness of all employees, customers and other members of the public, a Fit for Duty program is necessary for prevention, protection and rehabilitation (if necessary).

accident/injury prevention, employment law, fit for duty, rehabilitation

Critical work injuries – Ensure its prevention

April 17, 2019 Beyond Rewards Inc Employee Relations, Health and Safety, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Training and Development, 0

Without the proper safe work practices, safety policies are ineffective to protect workers in the workplace.

critical work injuries, employment law, National Day of Mourning, Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, safe-work practices

Human rights – Your duty as an employer

March 20, 2019 Beyond Rewards Inc Employee Relations, Human Resources, Human Rights, Payroll, Wages and Compensation, 0

In 2017, 66% of all human rights claims were employment-related. Employers have the duty to be compliant with the Ontario Human Rights Code.

discrimination, duty to accommodate, employment law, human rights claims

Health and safety: It’s not just physical

February 21, 2019 Beyond Rewards Inc Employee Relations, Health and Safety, Human Resources

Employers have the duty to protect their workers and provide a healthy and safe work environment. Health & safety is about both physical and mental health.

mental health, organizational culture, work-life balance

Compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act: Necessary for the lives of your workers

January 31, 2019 Beyond Rewards Inc Health and Safety, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Penalties and Fines, Training and Development

This past September, a paving contractor was fined $325,000 for a workplace fatality that occurred due to not properly complying with the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Compliance with the Act includes following proper policies and procedures and ensuring your employees are trained on safety issues.

employment law, safety training, workplace fatality