workforce

Mandatory work experience programs for all Ontario students

June 29, 2016 Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor Accessibility Standards, Employee Relations, HR Analytics, HR and Technology, HR Policies and Procedures, HRMS, Human Resources, Integrated Accessibility Regulation, Recruiting and Hiring, Standard for Employment, Training and Development, Union Relations

On Thursday June 23, 2016, the Ontario government announced that they are considering mandatory work experience programs for all high school, college and university students.

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Employees, corporate transactions and the entrepreneur

May 11, 2016 Lisa Stam, Spring Law Employee Relations, Employment/Labour Standards, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Notice, Damages and Settlements, Payroll, Pensions and Benefits, Recruiting and Hiring, Union Relations, Wages and Compensation

An entrepreneur’s workforce grows either through fresh hires or through the acquisition of companies that bring along new employees. Whether your organization is a large multi-national in a complex mergers and acquisitions (M;&A) transaction or a start-up looking to acquire a 2-person corporation with a new development line or skill set, the employment law implications are complex, yet largely the same.

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The older job applicant: Human Rights considerations

August 11, 2014 Alison J. Bird Accessibility Standards, Employee Relations, Employment/Labour Standards, HR Analytics, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Human Rights, Integrated Accessibility Regulation, Recruiting and Hiring, Standard for Employment

The number of workers over the age of 65 has significantly increased in recent years, and a survey by Towers Watson found that one-third of all respondents and 42 percent of older workers have decided to delay retirement. This aging workforce demographic means that not only are there more older workers remaining in their employment, but also that there are many older workers seeking new employment.

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HR Metrics – Measuring back office activities or insightfully understanding how your employees create value?

February 25, 2014 PeopleInsight Workforce Analytics Employee Relations, HR Analytics, HRMS, Human Resources, Training and Development

HR is no stranger to data and metrics and the most progressive of leaders in this space are now leveraging robust and holistic analytics for powerful results—for their organizations and for themselves.

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First year turnover–now that’s business insight

January 29, 2014 PeopleInsight Workforce Analytics Employee Relations, HR Analytics, HR Policies and Procedures, HRMS, Human Resources, Recruiting and Hiring

Most organizations frequently look at turnover—but they do this at such an aggregate level the measure in and of itself is useless—and not really actionable.

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New Liberal Government plans to keep best and brightest and support persons with disabilities in Nova Scotia

October 15, 2013 Amery Boyer Accessibility Standards, Employee Relations, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Human Rights, Payroll, Pensions and Benefits, Recruiting and Hiring, Training and Development

The newly elected Liberal government platform states that businesses need workers, and recent graduates and skilled workers need experience. The Liberal government states that it will support young graduates to develop the necessary skills and gain experience in their fields and develop an Accessibility for Nova Scotians with Disabilities Act.

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Six in ten workers around the world would telecommute full-time

July 30, 2013 Christina Catenacci Employee Relations, Employment/Labour Standards, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, International HR Law, International Payroll, Payroll, Pensions and Benefits, Recruiting and Hiring, Union Relations, Wages and Compensation

Career advancement website HowDoIBecomeA.net recently featured an infographic on trends in telecommuting around the world. Apparently, one in five workers globally telecommutes frequently, and seven percent of workers work from home every day. Research shows that six in ten workers worldwide would telecommute full-time if their employer allowed it. Why do employers not allow it? In Canada, about 37 percent of workers say their employer needs them to be at their workplace…

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Disruption in talent acquisition (recruitment) – three little secrets

July 15, 2013 PeopleInsight Workforce Analytics Employee Relations, HR Analytics, HRMS, Human Resources, Recruiting and Hiring

It’s an exciting time in the human capital business… and more specifically, in the business of both acquiring the right talent, and in driving effectiveness of that talent once they cross the threshold of your organization’s door as an employee.

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Canadian unretirement

March 20, 2013 Occasional Contributors Employee Relations, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Human Rights, Payroll, Pensions and Benefits, Wages and Compensation

With recent changes to Canada’s old age security pension, Canadians and retirement have been in the spotlight. According to Scotiabank’s annual investment poll, over 30 percent of Canadians plan to retire later, up from 27 percent in 2011. It’s not news that Canadians are retiring later than they did a decade ago, but why?

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People analytics for business: In high heels and backwards

December 12, 2012 Ian J Cook HR Analytics, HRMS, Human Resources

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Business measurement and analytics has been growing in importance for many years. It has spawned a whole new type of management thinking about evidence-based strategy and decisions. The sophistication levels keep increasing. Here is an example; an online retailer takes real-time data from their customers browsing habits. They pass this to their suppliers who can then can anticipate sales volumes. The suppliers link this to production schedules and to raw material purchasing leading to a a truly integrated supply chain. There is a real elegance to these systems. They move like a dancer in perfect time and balance, leading to performance excellence.

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Christine Ha: MasterChef contestant with a disability but much ability!

June 26, 2012 Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor Accessibility Standards, Human Resources, Human Rights, Integrated Accessibility Regulation, Standard for Employment, Training and Development

MasterChef Contestant Christine Ha is legally blind. She navigates the kitchen with the help of a cane and a support person. According to the judges, the dishes she prepares for each challenge are amazing and she is a great cook. It goes to show, despite her disability, Ha is able to compete with contestants with no disabilities, and perform the challenges with above average results.

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Do your managers and front line workers have accurate info about human rights issues?

November 22, 2011 Andrew Lawson Human Resources, Human Rights, Training and Development

Do your managers and front line workers have accurate facts about human rights issues? A number of conversations I have had with workers lately inform me that many people allow their emotions to overwhelm the facts. The misunderstandings that flow from this emotional response can lead to costly violations of the law for your organization.

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How corporate events build employee engagement

September 7, 2011 Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor Employee Relations, Human Resources

First Reference just had its annual picnic and a good time was had by all. There was lots of food, chats and amusing repartee, and a mean game of croquet! This event, among others,which in practical terms might be characterized as activities to build the culture of the organization or team-building activities, have helped create a community at our workplace and not just a workforce.

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Reduced hours of work and job sharing – an idea suited for North America?

July 22, 2011 Christina Catenacci Employee Relations, Employment/Labour Standards, Human Resources

In a recent Globe and Mail video, author Juliet Schor discusses how reducing work hours might be the answer to some of the problems facing Canada’s workforce. Schor mentions that having employees work shorter hours decreases unemployment rates, lowers greenhouse emissions, and improves quality of life.

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Canadian government reduces immigration targets for parents and grandparents

February 17, 2011 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, Human Resources

On February 13, 2011, Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism announced that, in 2010, Canada welcomed the highest number of legal immigrants in more than 50 years (280,636 permanent residents). A day later, New Democrat immigration critic Olivia Chow stated during a press conference that information obtained under an Access to Information Act request revealed that the federal government intends to further reduce the immigration targets for parents and grandparents from 15,300 in 2010 to 11,000.

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