If your employees perform outdoor work, you must take safety precautions to protect them from hazardous plants. Contact with hazardous plants, such as poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac, can cause allergic reactions. Exposure to some toxic plants, such as giant hogweed, can lead to severe burns and even blindness. It is critical that...
In a 2022 survey, one in four Canadian employees described their mental health as “bad” or “very bad”. The same report found a 22% decline in positive mental health in workers over the past two years. Many respondents also reported symptoms of burnout caused by their job, with 36% reporting sleeping problems, 29% reporting constantly...
Under the Occupational Health and Safety laws, it is the employer’s general duty to take all reasonable precautions for the health and safety of their employees. This includes protecting staff working in hot conditions from heat stress and heat stroke. Given the high temperatures southern regions of Canada experience during summer, it is important that...
Wildfire smoke is a seasonal health hazard that employers should be prepared for, especially if their business requires outdoor work. Wildfires are common typically between May and September. Not only do they cause widespread damage to life and property, but smoke from wildfires can also travel great distances and affect air quality in surrounding areas....
According to Statistics Canada, 19% of women and 13% of men reported that they had experienced harassment in their workplace in 2018. A 2018 WSIB Statistical Report revealed that between 2014 and 2018, insured workers filed 13,338 lost-time injury reports due to assaults, violent acts, harassment, or act of war or terrorism. This represented 5%...
A healthy work environment has a direct impact on workplace productivity and morale. As the employer, you must take all reasonable precautions for the health and safety of your staff. This includes taking steps to prevent bullying and harassment in the workplace. In British Columbia, there are specific laws in place to protect workers from...
Domestic and sexual violence can have a significant impact on individuals and their ability to work. Recognizing the significant impact these abuses can have on individuals and communities, the Ontario government introduced a Domestic or Sexual Violence Leave as part of the Employment Standards Act (ESA) in 2017, which allows employees who have experienced or...
Suicide is among the top ten causes of death in Canada. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, about 4,000 people die by suicide every year. The tragic and devastating outcome of mental health issues can affect anyone, regardless of their profession or socioeconomic status. As an employer, you have a unique responsibility to create a supportive work...
Workplace violence is a serious concern in Canada, as it can have devastating consequences for both employees and employers. No one should be subject to harassment or violence of any kind in their workplace, whether it is from a customer, a manager, or a colleague. Yet, according to the Canadian Initiative on Workplace Violence, 1...
Bullying and harassment in the workplace can have serious consequences for both employees and employers. In Alberta, workplace bullying and harassment are not only morally wrong, but they are also illegal. As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure that your employees are working in a safe and respectful environment. The Alberta Human Rights...
