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Work Environment and Policies

The Necessary Evil of Employee Policies

October 16, 2012 | Work Environment and Policies

One of the most frequent complaints we hear from business owners is that they hate policies.  I’ll share a secret with you; we HR professionals do not particularly enjoy them either.  However, we’ve experienced firsthand their value.  Think of them as a necessary evil, like your home or auto insurance.  Employee policies are similar; you find out you truly need them when it counts.

8 Leadership Lessons I Learned in the Army

September 09, 2012 | Work Environment and Policies

Co-founder and Managing Director Corina Sibley shares key leadership lessons she learned while serving in the Canadian Army as a Platoon Commander and Logistics Officer.

7 Quick, Easy and Inexpensive Ways of Recognizing Employees

August 22, 2012 | Work Environment and Policies

We often believe that we need to focus on the big things to retain and energize our employees.  Often it is the small actions and little gestures that have the greatest impact on our team.

Are you AODA Compliant?  The January 1, 2012 deadline has come and gone.

June 12, 2012 | Work Environment and Policies

If you have still not yet developed a policy or trained your employees on how to provide excellent customer service to people with disabilities, please see the requirements below in order to take steps toward compliance as quickly as possible.  Businesses with 20 or more employees have until December 31, 2012 to submit their progress report online to the government.

What Motivates Employees in a Telecommuting Environment

May 29, 2012 | Work Environment and Policies

Allowing employees to work from home can be a great benefit to both the company and worker.  Beyond the benefits, it could be difficult to engage employees working remotely.  And, it’s not for everyone.  Some individuals are not necessarily the most productive when working in a home environment.  So, what should you do to motivate and engage your virtual employees?

12 Great Questions to Ask Employees to Assess Employee Engagement

May 03, 2012 | Work Environment and Policies

You don’t have to be an undercover boss to find out what your employees think of your organization.  Employees are willing to give their all when they feel genuinely appreciated and when they’re asked for their opinion.

Organizational Development and its Importance to Your Business

April 17, 2012 | Work Environment and Policies

If your profits are down, your performance is weak, the competition is passing you by, and your productivity is waning, Organizational Development (OD) is an imperative tool for your business.  Through working with your people processes and organizational systems, you can improve performance in individuals, teams and your entire organization using OD methods and tools.

Verbal Threats in the Workplace Considered Serious Offence under Bill 168

March 06, 2012 | Work Environment and Policies

Workplace violence includes statements or behaviours “that [are] reasonable for a worker to interpret as a threat to exercise physical force against the worker, in a workplace, that could cause physical injury to the worker.” (Section 1(c) Bill 168).  This definition was recently put to the test in a landmark arbitration decision in Kingston, ON whereby the arbitrator upheld the employer’s decision to terminate the employment of a veteran employee, with 28 years of service, for verbally threatening her co-worker; in this case, the Union President.

What does an Engaging Workplace look like?

November 30, 2011 | Work Environment and Policies

Have you ever wondered if your employees like coming to work?  If you answered yes, how do you know?

Are you ready for AODA?

September 25, 2011 | Work Environment and Policies

What is AODA?  If your business serves customers in Ontario, whether your business is based in Ontario or not, and you have at least one employee in Ontario, you will need to be compliant with the Customer Service Standard of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) by January 1, 2012.