The COVID-19 pandemic made remote work a popular trend the world over. Countries like Germany and Ireland are already working on legislations to make the right to remote work a legal right. In Canada, however, it is not a legal right yet. Employees cannot ask to work from home just because they’d like it. If the nature of a...
You’ve been through a lot in 2020. Revenue losses, lockdowns, dealing with layoffs, work refusals, health and safety expenses, and keeping up with ever-increasing restrictions and measures. Adapting to the new COVID normal has been quite an ordeal, especially for small business owners. The last thing you need right now is the stress of having...
As Ontario gradually lifts its Stay-at-Home order, new measures may bring respite for retail businesses. Non-essential retail stores in the province may soon be able to open for in-person shopping, even in a lockdown zone. Ontario will be slowly lifting the shutdown in each of its 34 regions based on a review of local public health...
Your employees drive your business. They are the first point of contact for your clients. In addition to the necessary technical skills needed to do their jobs, you must ensure your staff possesses strong soft skills too. A combination of hard and soft skills in the workplace will make your team, and in turn your...
The pandemic has brought upskilling into sharp focus. Over the past year, we’ve all learnt new digital tools to be able to connect and collaborate remotely. Many employers have taken their small businesses online to increase sales and reach out to customers during lockdowns. Even without a pressing cause like a pandemic, upskilling should be a part of...
Canada has begun administering COVID-19 vaccine shots. Frontline healthcare workers and residents and staff of long-term care homes are being inoculated first. The Public Health Agency of Canada plans to vaccinate all Canadians, who wish to be immunized, by the end of September 2021. The federal government, and the provinces, have made it clear that getting the...
On July 29, 2020, Bill 32, the Restoring Balance in Alberta’s Workplaces Act, received royal assent. Bill 32 made a number of changes to the Alberta Employment Standards Code and Labour Relations Code. Most of the changes made to the Alberta Employment Standards Code came into effect on November 1, 2020. However, a few changes came into force earlier,...
A dress code and appearance policy brings uniformity and professionalism to your workplace. Your employees are the face of your business. Their appearance in the workplace also reflects your company’s work culture. It is important that your staff looks neat and presentable when interacting with customers. Setting a policy on work attire and appearance will...
An online presence is crucial for building awareness about your brand. Even more so when we seem headed towards a future of remote teams and virtual workplaces. Many small businesses have managed to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic by taking their services and sales online. Depending on the needs of your business, you may be using...
According to Labour Force Survey data published by Statistics Canada, almost three quarters of the 3.4 million Canadians who switched to remote work due to the COVID-19 crisis were still working from home in August. Till this health crisis ends, most businesses that can operate remotely will be asking their staff to continue working from home. A well-planned home office...
