Besides remote working, the hybrid work model has emerged as another popular alternative to the traditional 9 to 5 office routine. A hybrid workplace allows for both home and office-based staff. Depending on the nature and needs of your business, you could either: Allow staff whose role requires being present in office come into the...
Many businesses have been forced to downsize due to COVID-19. Whether it be through reductions in hours, temporary layoffs, or terminations, employers have faced more uncomfortable conversations than they may have previously been accustomed to. This article provides some tips for employers on how to carry out a termination of employment and suggests ways to...
*This blog was updated on December 8, 2021. Employees in Ontario can avail of up to three days of paid COVID-19 sick leave. The COVID-19 Putting Workers First Act was passed in the Ontario legislature on April 29, 2021. The legislation requires employers to provide employees with up to $200 of pay for up to...
Like most small business owners, you may be operating without a human resources team. If this is the case, you’re also likely handling employee matters on your own, which can put you in a tough spot when it comes to prioritizing. This is where an annual performance review becomes essential to making employee management as efficient...
The importance of following public health measures on COVID-19 cannot be emphasized enough. Provinces across Canada, especially Quebec and Ontario, are currently seeing a sharp rise in daily case numbers. Most provinces have set down hefty fines for violation of public health measures, such as use of face masks and self-isolation. For instance, non-compliance with the...
The pandemic made working from home essential for many businesses. Most have found it to be a productive option, with 40% of employers in Canada planning to include remote work into their normal practices. However, remote work is not without its challenges. It can be isolating and managing a remote team can be difficult at first. Another...
Chances are that your employees may not have been able to use their vacation leave this year. The pandemic outbreak in March, and the subsequent lockdowns and restrictions disrupted all travel plans for 2020. Under the Canadian law, however, your staff is entitled to a minimum of two weeks of vacation in a calendar year. This means...
A temporary layoff allows employers to reduce or stop their staff’s working hours for a fixed period while keeping them in employment. This arrangement is temporary in nature. The employer must eventually recall employees to work. Though it should be a last resort, there are certain benefits to a temporary layoff when compared to a...
While it is essential to draft work contracts that clearly lay down the terms of employment, it is also useful for your small business to have an employee handbook suited to your needs. What is an employee handbook? An employee handbook is a document provided to employees usually during the onboarding process. It sets down...
*Please note that the changes discussed in this blog have been superseded by Regulation 492/20, which extended the COVID-19 period and the Infectious Disease Emergency Leave till January 2, 2021. You can read our blog on Regulation 492/20 here. On July 24, 2020, the Ontario government ended the state of emergency declared in March due to COVID-19. The Reopening...
