We’re all tired of this pandemic. Tired of washing our hands, of being cooped indoors, remembering to mask up when we go outside, sanitizing groceries and socially distancing all the time. But these measures, inconvenient as they may be, are critical to surviving this crisis. And given the surge in COVID-19 cases the world over,...
The COVID-19 pandemic has so far claimed more than 10,000 lives in Canada. Due to travel restrictions or visitor limits at hospitals, many may have missed out on being with their ailing family members in their final moments. Some may have exchanged last words over a video call. Close contacts in quarantine or at-risk relatives may have...
Sitting has been the new smoking for long. Research says if you sit for more than eight hours a day with no physical activity, you face the same risk of premature death as those who smoke or are obese. According to the World Health Organization, physical inactivity is responsible for six per cent of deaths globally. It is a risk factor for several health conditions including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, colon cancer, depression and anxiety....
*Please note that the Canada United Program is currently closed and is no longer accepting new applications. Along with significant upsets with day–to–day operations, the current pandemic has incurred other financial challenges. Resuming work safely now requires daily use of protective equipment such as face masks, gloves and sanitizers. Many businesses have also had to modify their office spaces to observe social distancing. Several small businesses have...
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...
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...
Ontario is now in the grip of a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. To prevent further spread of the virus and to ensure businesses are following Public Health guidelines on workplace safety, Ontario’s Ministry of Labour is hiring 98 more health and safety inspectors. This step will increase the number of MOL inspectors across the...
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...
*This blog was updated on April 26, 2022. Though schools in most provinces have reopened, not all parents may be sending their children to school due to the threat of the Omicron variant and its sub-variants. Employees who do not have childcare options may refuse to return to work as they need to be home...
