Geographical location becomes immaterial when you are working remotely. A good Internet connection and necessary equipment is all one needs to be able to work comfortably. The biggest change the pandemic has brought in the way we work is the switch to remote work. The successful transition to remote work has led many employers across...
Though not so widespread before the pandemic, video conferencing is now the primary means of communication in the remote workplace. It’s how we’ve all managed to stay connected with co-workers, family, and friends during the past year-and-a-half. But despite the quick and successful transition to video conferencing, virtual meeting etiquette is still a grey area....
*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...
Given the extremes of weather experienced across Canada, business closures due to a blizzard or a tornado are a part of life. Besides bad weather, an emergency like a city-wide outage or a wildfire may also abruptly shut down workplaces. It is your responsibility as the employer to notify staff of business closures due to...
* This blog was updated on April 25, 2022. What is sick leave? In Ontario, employees are entitled to three unpaid days of sick leave per year regardless of when in the year they begin their employment, as long as they’ve worked for their employer for at least two consecutive weeks. Sick leave can be...
‘Vacation’ is a word that gets even the most reserved employee brimming with joy. Time off is an essential part of a successful work-life balance and offers employees numerous benefits, such as: A reprieve from workplace stressors More time with family and friends The opportunity to accomplish personal goals (e.g., seeing other parts of the...
As a small business owner, it is important to understand your legal rights as an employer, and the rights of your employees. Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) sets the minimum workplace standards and outlines employee entitlements to certain unpaid, job-protected leaves of absence. What are the legal entitlements when it comes to leaves of absence...
Termination can be stressful for both employers and employees. Severance packages are an excellent way for employers to reduce tension–with the employee being terminated–and part ways more amicably. These packages are typically offered when an employee is ‘let go’ due to job elimination, being laid off or when both parties come to a mutual agreement...
In Ontario, all eligible new parents are entitled to parental leave as outlined in the Employment Standards Act. Here are some key takeaways that employers should know. What is Parental Leave? As outlined in Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA), parental leave is unpaid time off work for new parents. Parental leave is different from maternity leave, although birth mothers...
